Seven Reasons to Resign From Your Job

Posted by in Career Advice


 

What?   Why would anyone want to voluntarily resign from a job in this economy?  If everything is going well, you love what you do, and the money and benefits package are right, you may as well stay.  There are some situations, however, where resigning from a job is better than the alternatives. 

 

      1. You hate your job.  I mean miserable.  It may be the job itself, your boss, co-workers, or just a bad fit.  If you are unhappy, it probably shows in your work, appearance, attitude and work habits.  Rather than eventually getting fired for poor performance, it may be better just to call it quits and move on.  Find a new job first if you can, but don’t prolong the agony for yourself or the rest of the team.
 

      2. You’ve got a new job waiting in the wings.  Depending on your perceived value to the company, your employer may want to keep you on for awhile to train a replacement, complete a project or get through a sticky audit.  Decide what’s best for you and your new employer.  It may be time to cut the cord and move on.
 

      3. You’re getting fired.  Sometime terminations come as a total shock, but if you’ve got a stack of disciplinary actions or written warnings in your file, resigning before you get fired can save you from having to explain a termination to your next employer.   You won’t be eligible for unemployment compensation, but if you’re going to be fired for cause, chances are you won’t qualify for benefits anyway.
 

      4. Your employer may be willing to give you a good reference.  Sometimes personalities clash, work habits or quality standards differ.  If you’re not a good fit for the job and you’ve had some poor performance reviews or counseling sessions, resigning will relieve the company from firing you.  You may earn points for being realistic and making the first move.
 

      5. You don’t need (or want) to file for unemployment.   Some people don’t want to file for unemployment on principle.  They don’t want to be “on the dole,” whether or not they qualify.  If the weekly checks aren’t an issue, resigning gives you a clean slate to move on to the next job.

     
6. Resigning is easier than explaining a termination.  Losing a job is stressful enough.  Carrying the stress forward to each job interview can affect your confidence and credibility.  You can eliminate having to relive the trauma of a termination by proactively resigning.

     
7. It’s just time.  Some people reach their maximum contribution in a job and it’s just time to move on.  After so many years, the thrill is gone.  You may have outgrown your job or don’t have the skills to move up.  Enrolling in classes or just sitting on the beach may be your next best career move.

Have you decided to resign from a job?  What motivated you to take that step?  Share your story in the Comments section below.

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