10 Ways You Know It's Time To Quit Your Job

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If you are contemplating quitting your job, let me first say I know how ya feel. When you are in the wrong job, not only is it a major mood killer but it can also take a toll on your mental state, health, and overall well-being.

I am a firm believer in sticking things through, including sticking through a not-so-desirable job if you are learning, and it means a possible opportunity for something you really want to do in your life.

But there is an exception to that belief. Sometimes, a work environment is just toxic, or it could be that you are not the right person for the job at hand. Whatever the reason, sometimes it’s just time to move on. Here I tackle some of the key signs you recognize when it is due time for you to quit your job.

10. Your company’s beliefs and morals are vastly different from your own

This is not a deal-breaker for many, depending on the moral at hand. But there are some morals that are more difficult to deal with. A good example is if you found out your company was conducting some shady practices, such as stealing or cheating on reviews. If this is something that does not sit well with you, then this is probably a good indicator that it is time to move on to greener pastures.

If you work for a company that is stealing from their customers, think about their ethics when it comes to paying their employees. Chances are, that those same foul practices seep into other areas of their business. This is an extreme example, but another item that could rub you the wrong way could be as simple as not offering paid leave to some employees but offering it to others.

9. You do not use any of your own personal skills and abilities at your job

If you feel like you are not able to bring any of the skills that make you, you do the job, chances are you are probably in the wrong job. Sure it is great to be good at Microsoft Excel, be able to analyze reports, and schedule events on a calendar. However, if you are a creative person and are not able to express your creativity in any way, this is probably not the best place for you to be to express all of your abilities.

If you do not know what your personal skills are, a great test to take is the Strengths Finder test. It’s a book that details every natural ability one can have. Every book comes with a code that you use to take the test online. Once you take the test, it tells you what your natural abilities are. I love it, and after taking it, my feelings about previous positions I have held made a lot more sense. Take the test; you won’t regret it.

8. You feel bored with your workload

via GIPHY

If you are bored in your role this is probably a sign that you are not challenged enough, or it could be that you have no interest in the work you are doing there. Whichever the reason, it ain’t good and I believe is a great indicator that it is time to leave your place of work. If you feel this way, look for a role where you can have a mentor of your own or one that gives you the opportunity to work on projects you will get excited for.

7. You do not feel like you are recognized for your hard work

Everyone has different motivators for the work they do. For many, it is simply being recognized for the hard work you do. This could mean hearing a “good job” from time to time, being recognized in front of your peers, or getting a monetary bonus. Whatever your incentive, being recognized for a job well done is a great way to stay motivated, and without it, it is easy to become burned out.

6. You Are Expected to Work When You’re Not at Work

I know this one is a deal-breaker for many Millennials since we really value our work-life balance. If you are passionate about your work then this is something you probably do without even thinking about it.

However, if you are counting the hours until you can leave your job, only to be disrupted by work at home, chances are you are more than ready to leave your job for good. Just know that working when you are not on the clock should not be a requirement.

5. You Don’t Get Along with Your Co-Workers

This is a big one because you spend most of your day at your job. If you do not like the people you are around, I can understand why you wouldn’t want to be there. In these cases, I find it best to try to work out whatever issues you may have with someone or avoid them if you can. If not, being around a co-worker you cannot stand can be miserable. Ask yourself: What is it you do not like about this person?

See if it is something you can get past. Even if you cannot, I do not feel like this should be the sole reason for you to leave your job unless of course, the person you do not get along with is your supervisor in which case, this could really be a deal-breaker. This leads me to my next point…

4. Your Boss Does Not Trust You

Believe it or not, a Gallup poll of more than 1 million people employed in the U.S. concluded that the No. 1 reason people quit their jobs is a bad boss or immediate supervisor. There are a lot of factors that can go into a bad boss. It can be someone who is mean, rude, incompetent, or simply just not good at communicating with others.

What makes it difficult for you to really succeed in the workplace is if your boss does not trust you. If your boss does not trust you, they are more likely to not promote you or entrust you with any independence in your role. The best way to try to gain your boss’s trust is to work hard and prove your worth, and if you still have issues here have a sit down with them and ask what you can do to be successful in your role. If there is still no success here, then I think it is probably best to consider leaving your job.

3. You are doing more work for the same pay

Millennials run into this more often than their older peers simply because they do not know any better. We often work hard to prove ourselves in order to move up. If you are in a role where your responsibilities are increasing but your pay is not, then it’s time to either ask for a raise or get to stepping.

Don’t let someone take advantage of your work ethic. There are plenty of other jobs out there that are willing to pay you more for your hard work.

2. You fantasize about being somewhere else (even somewhere worse) than at your job

Daydreaming is normal, but when you are dreaming about getting sick, getting into a car accident, or a Zombie apocalypse when at work, chances are you really hate your job. You would rather be in a bad situation just to break up the monotony of going to work. If you have reached this point already, you are long overdue for a job change.

1. You Cannot See Any Ways You Could Continue To Advance

This to me is the most important reason to leave a job, especially if you agree with any of the other reasons above. Everyone has had a sucky job at one point in time, but if it is not going to take you where you want to be, what’s the point? If you feel you are not learning anything and you can’t advance, go somewhere where they will move you up the ladder until you are where you want to be!

I hope this was helpful and also want to point out that everyone’s experiences are different so there are plenty of other signs that I may not have mentioned. If you need that final push on if you should leave your job or not I want to share a passage from one of my favorite books, The Four Hour Workweek by Tim Ferris.

“For all of the most important things, the timing always sucks. Waiting for a good time to quit your job? The stars will never align and the traffic lights of life will never all be green at the same time. The universe doesn’t conspire against you, but it doesn’t go out of its way to line up the pins either. Conditions are never perfect. “Someday” is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you. Pro and con lists are just as bad. If it’s important to you and you want to do it “eventually,” just do it and correct course along the way.”
― Timothy Ferriss, The 4-Hour Workweek