How to Quit Your Job: What to Consider Before Resigning

I’m thinking of quitting my job. What should I keep in mind?

“Should I stay or should I go?”

Does this sound familiar? Maybe you like your job but hate your boss, or love your boss but hate your job. Maybe you’re in a toxic work environment, struggling with burnout, faced with unsafe working conditions, or asking yourself how much more you can take. Maybe you’re just ready for something new.

At Empower Work, we hear from people every day who are grappling with whether to quit their job or try to make it work.

Whatever your situation, you’re the only one who can make the decision for yourself. As you’re weighing your options, here are some important questions to consider.

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Logistical considerations

Changing jobs can cost time, energy, and money—though staying in a job that isn’t right for you can be costly too. As you’re considering your resignation, it’s important to understand your situation and what resources are available to you.

Finances

Be honest with yourself about your current financial situation. Do you need this paycheck to put food on the table or pay rent? Do you have money saved, and if so, how long could you last without this income? Are there other ways you could earn money while you’re in transition? What health insurance options are available for you and/or your family? Do you have a partner, friends, church group, or other community members that could help financially support you if you need it? What unemployment benefits and/or government assistance options have you looked into?

While digging into the financial reality of quitting your job may be uncomfortable at first, it’s an important first step. Having a clear sense of where you are, what support is available, and what your options are will ultimately empower you to make the best decision you can.

Planning your job search

Part of making a plan is understanding how long the search for a new job might take. This is especially true if you’re planning to leave your current job without having a new one lined up.

Consider your geographic location, skills, industry, and the current hiring market. Is your skill set in high demand? Have you seen lots of jobs posted that are similar to what you’re looking for, or are jobs like yours hard to find in your area? Asking these questions will give you a sense of how long it might take to find a new job, so you know how best to plan.

Giving notice

For years, the rule of thumb has been to give two weeks’ notice before leaving. However, not everyone’s situation is the same, and in some cases, giving notice in advance may not be the best option. Maybe you’re not on good terms with your boss and you don’t want to make the situation worse. Maybe you’re worried your manager will ask you to leave that day. Maybe you’re not sure if you’ll get paid for those final two weeks.

In an ideal world, it’s great to give your employer notice, since it can help you maintain your relationship with them and it gives them time to cover your role. Consider what's typical in your workplace in terms of what notice people give, consider the specific dynamics of your workplace and your own personal situation, and incorporate this into your plan.

Emotional considerations

In addition to the logistical considerations, deciding to leave a job has important emotional considerations too. Getting specific about what’s working—and what’s not working—in your current job will help you identify what you want to look for in your next job, and it will also help you identify what you need to release in order to be able to move on.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

What do I enjoy about my job? What is most rewarding to you? What elements do you want to have in your next job too?
What don’t I like about my job? What parts do you find frustrating, challenging, or demotivating? What do you want to avoid in your next job?
What makes me feel connected at work? Employees who have a close friend at work are happier and more engaged, and feeling isolated can make work a struggle. What kind of workplace culture are you looking for?
How is my relationship with my boss? Issues with bosses come in all forms. What dynamics are you looking for in your relationship with your next boss?

Use your current situation to help you develop a list of what you want—and what you don’t want—in your next role.

In addition to this reflection, though, sometimes we need to do some deeper emotional work before being ready to move on to a new job. If this is the case for you, simply changing jobs won’t make everything better. Your current experiences inform your future decisions. Negative experiences need to be worked through so the hardship, challenge, and toxicity don’t follow you into your next job.

The good news is that you don’t have to do this alone. Empower Work is here to help. Our trained peer counselors act as a sounding board to help you reflect on your current situation and brainstorm the best action steps to help you move forward. At Empower Work, we talk with people every day who are experiencing burnout or struggling with bullying or discrimination at work, or who are in workplaces that take a toll on their mental health. Our text line is free, confidential, and provides non-legal support for a variety of workplace challenges.

Here's what to expect if you text us at 510-674-1414 or chat online with an Empower Work peer counselor:

We listen. We ask what’s going on, how it’s impacting you, and what’s at stake.
We help you identify what you want. We help you look at your options, figure out what’s within your control, and get unstuck.
We make an action plan. We brainstorm next steps together and help you identify specific actions you can take.

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Make a plan—and practice!

If you’ve decided it’s actually time to leave, it’s normal to feel nervous—especially about having “that” conversation with your boss. A tangible and effective way to help calm these fears is to make a plan.

Here are the things to consider when making a plan:

Plan your timing: Decide when and how you’re going to share the news with your boss—perhaps during a regular check-in, or at the end of a shift when they have a few quiet minutes to really be present.
Keep it concise: Decide what you’re going to say, and ask someone you trust to help you practice the conversation in advance. Practicing out loud several times will help you keep it short, sweet, and to the point. It will keep you from rambling!
Keep it positive: As easy as it might be to focus on why you’re leaving (especially if it’s a toxic work environment), do your best to keep the conversation positive and respectful. Share gratitude for the opportunity, and say how much you’ve learned, and wish your boss the best going forward.
Think of questions your boss might ask: Be prepared to answer the questions your boss might have: why you’re leaving, when you’re leaving, whether you’d consider staying, or what your plan is for redistributing your tasks.

If you find yourself feeling guilty about leaving your manager or team behind, it is completely normal to feel this way. Deciding to quit a job can bring up a lot of emotions. For more advice on how to manage some of the most common concerns we hear people struggling with when they’ve decided to quit a job, check out this blog post. Or, if you’re ready to chat with an Empower Work counselor for free, text us at 510-674-1414.