“THE BEST career advice given to the young is:
Find out what you like doing best and get someone to pay you for doing it."
...Katherine Whitehorn

Before You Quit Your Job - 4 Things You Need To Do
by Laura Browne

We all have days when we would like to quit. Here are some actions you should take before you start interviewing for another job.

1) Decide On The Real Problem - What is really bothering you about your job? Is it the long hours? Is it the stress of short deadlines? Is it a difficult boss? Is it the money? Write up a list of the things you like about your job and the things you don't like. Is there just one problem area or are there many areas that are making it difficult for you to enjoy your job?

2) Design Your Ideal Job - What would make your job perfect? Forget about reality and imagine what your ideal job would look like. What would you spend your time doing? Where would you do it? Who would you work with?

Now look at your job and see what changes you could make to get closer to your ideal job. You won't be able to go directly from your current job to your dream job, but you may be able to make some adjustments that can start to move you closer to what you want to do. For example, if your ideal job includes meeting with customers, you can consider joining a task force that deals with customer satisfaction. Or maybe you can recommend a project to your boss that solves a particular customer problem.

3) Ask For What You Want - What needs to change? Talk to your boss and clearly let him or her know what you want. Don't just complain. Discuss what you want in a positive way and point out the benefits for you, the boss and the company. For example, if you want a reduced travel schedule, you should describe how you will get results without traveling. Also explain that the reduction in travel will save the company money and it will give you more time to work on the projects that are important to your boss.

You may think that your boss won't want to listen to you; however, most managers want to know if their employees are unhappy. They would prefer to hear about problems before you decide to quit so they can try to address them to keep you there. Retention is a problem in many companies and if you are doing a good job, most bosses would rather try to work with you on your issues than go to the trouble of hiring someone new to replace you.

4) Look For Other Jobs in the Same Company - If the boss is the problem or if you can't make changes in your current job, it may be time to leave. If you like your current company, look for opportunities to transfer to other groups. What manager you would like to work for? What new skills would you like to learn?

When you start dreading Monday morning, you know it's time to make changes. You can change your company or just change your job. Whatever you choose, make sure your new job works for you.


Click here for a printable version of Before You Quite Your Job




You've seen Laura on the pages of WEENC before. Check out her other articles here.

We agree with Laura that some serious thought needs to go into making a change with your career. When you are preparing to make that change, take some time to go through our five steps of preparing for change:

1. There must be a compelling reason for the change. Changing jobs simply because you're bored isn't a good enough reason to quit. Can you find another way to make your work exciting? Is there another job within the company you are more suited for?

2. Make sure your expectations are realistic. Did you take your current position believing you would be running the company within a year? If you left this job would you take that expectation with you? If you want to leave to start your own company have you taken the time to crunch the numbers and research the market? Have you taken an honest look at your skill sets?

3. Prepare your environment. Have you updated your resume? Have you made sure your finances can handle a career change?

4. Mentally prepare. Have you given serious thought to what your next job will look like? Have you thought about the new challenges and willing to accept them? Make sure you've been honest with yourself about what you expect from this change and make sure you're ready for what will come when you do.

5. Develop action plans.This is where the rubber meets the road. Begin by putting feelers out with friends and family. Research the job market in your area. Make sure that resume is complete and ready to go (have someone else read it over to make sure you've included everything and made no errors). Update your skills if necessary.

Making a career change, whether it be in the company you currently work for, a new business or starting off on your own, isn't something to just jump into - believe us! Make sure you've taken the time to fully assess your options, your abilities and your expectations before taking that leap. You'll be so glad you did.

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