You're frustrated, bitter and fantasizing about getting out. When you hate your job, the negative feelings can consume you. But while it's important to leave if you must, it's more important to make an informed, thought-out decision. Business News Daily listed 10 reasons you shouldn't quit your job; take stock of each one and make sure leaving is right for you.
1. You Don't Have a Plan
No matter how badly you want to leave your job, ditching without a plan can put you in an even worse predicament. Do you have a job lined up? Can you easily find one if you don't? How long can you live on savings if your plans fall through?
2. You Don't Have Any Savings
Never jump without a safety net. Even if you think you have a stellar position lined up, sometimes the unexpected happens and you'll find yourself without a job or job prospects. That's not to say you should be paranoid, but it's always better to save up than be without.
3. You're Not Done Learning
Even if you hate the job you're in, it may have some valuable lessons left to teach. When companies look at your resume, they tally up the number of years you spent performing one job or another. Sometimes sticking around a job for a while longer means the difference between being labeled as "entry level" or "experienced."
4. Things Could Get Better
Take a tally on why you hate your job. How many reasons are subject to change? How many might be in the future? If there's a possibility that the negative aspects of your work might go away, consider sticking around. It's not worth leaving a job that's beneficial to your career because of something that might change anyway.
5. You're Just Quitting for a Bigger Paycheck
Don't let dollar signs dull your thinking. There's a lot more that goes into a satisfying job than the paycheck, and many aren't worth sacrificing. Although more money can buy you nicer things, they won't impact your quality of life if you have to work exceptionally long hours, or you dislike the company, or you hate the work itself. Unless you have a strict timetable in mind and a good reason, don't focus on money alone.
6. You're Only Quitting Because Someone Said You Should
Some people might tell you to quit for various reasons, but ultimately you should pay attention to your own needs. You have the best idea of what your job does for you, so take care to measure every piece of advice given you hear.
7. You're Not Thinking Logically
It's hard not to feel a tangle of emotions when you hate your job, but you have to pick through them to make the right decision. No matter how heated or inconsolable you might feel, don't take any actions until you're calm and collected. Write down lists of pros and cons, get feedback from others and remember to breathe.
8. You're Wearing Rose-Colored Glasses
Don't assume that new opportunities are necessarily better opportunities. Just because the prospective job might be something you don't hate, you might loathe it in a few months. Before accepting a new position, take time to consider seriously whether it will benefit you.
9. You Can Make Big Changes Without Quitting
If you think carefully about why you're dissatisfied, the answer might not be dissatisfaction with your job. Sometimes, your dissatisfaction is caused by a lack of working on projects you feel passionately about. Depending on what they are, you might not need to quit. If, for example, you want to start your own business, consider working on it in your free time so you'll have the safety net of a stable income.
10. Your Resume Will Suffer
If you've only been at the new job for a few months, you should probably stick it out. If you can't put up with the job long enough to get two or three years of experience under your belt, try to stay for at least a year. Employers will look at a monthslong stint warily.
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