Resigning - Do I stay or do I go?
Posted on 05/01/16Resigning - Do I stay or do I go?
So, how many times have you thought about quitting your job? The straw that broke the camel’s back when you’ve worked your socks off and you’re overlooked for promotion…. again! You long to stroll into the boss’s office and throw your resignation letter on the table, or even better (or so you thought at the time!) fire off a curt ‘I quit’ email?
Making the decision to resign and change jobs can be a daunting prospect. You know it’s time to leave but what’s holding you back? Would life be any better in a different job? Will you viewed as a ‘job hopper’?
Changing companies more frequently to develop your career is quite acceptable. The Future Workplace "Multiple Generations @ Work" survey found that 91 percent of Millennials (those born between 1977 and 1997) expect to stay in a job for less than three years. At that rate, Millennials will hold from 15 to 20 jobs over the course of their professional lives.
It’s not really so difficult to work out why you’re not happy if you consider the key indicators that your current job isn't working out for you. If you see more than one or two of the signs below, maybe it's time to start exploring the job market:
- You Aren't Progressing: Whether it’s climbing the corporate ladder or developing skills and knowledge, your career should be moving forward. If not, why not? Ask yourself where you’re going to be in one year’s time? If you really don’t know then maybe it’s time to move on.
- Your Company Is Not Progressing: Is revenue and headcount decreasing, is your office tired and unwelcoming? Don’t hang around too long or you may find yourself out of a job – not by your own volition! Start to explore some alternatives.
- You Don't Respect Your Boss: Your boss should be somebody who commands respect and can inspire, motivate and develop you. If you dread going to work each day and your boss is unpleasant, uninspiring and incompetent then I suggest you make the break.
- You're Undervalued: not only in monetary terms, your achievements, effort and sheer hard work are simply not acknowledged. It’s time to look for a job where you’re going to be appreciated.
- You Aren't Motivated About the Work: Bored and lacking challenges, there’s talk of change but nothing seems to happen. Don’t sit around, revitalise your energy and look for something new.
- You Don't Fit the Culture: Culture and ethos within companies are unique and if the business has changed, maybe the culture has too. If you don’t feel like you “fit in” and your own ideals don’t match the company then don’t waste time trying to change it, time to move on.
My advice to anyone who is perhaps facing some life changing career decision is this: no matter how negative the situation appears, embrace it as an opportunity to change your life for the better, to do what you really want to do, and as the first step to fulfilling your own desires and ambitions.
On a final note, you could always do what Groupon CEO (and founder) Andrew Mason did; he sent out a wry 'resignation' letter this February to employees, saying:
"People of Groupon, after four and a half intense and wonderful years as CEO of Groupon, I’ve decided that I’d like to spend more time with my family. Just kidding — I was fired today."