Have you come to the end of the road with your current employer? It can be difficult to know - your gut might tell you ‘yes’ but your logical mind might not agree. Our recruitment experts share how to evaluate your circumstances objectively, good reasons for leaving a job, and how to depart on good terms.
When is it time to quit a job?
It can be easy to dismiss the 'Sunday Scaries' as something everyone experiences. But, for some, it's a sign of genuine job unhappiness. If this sounds familiar, we recommend having an honest discussion with yourself about what's making you dread Monday mornings.
To help give some perspective, here are some of the most common reasons employee’s give when resigning:
Some questions to ask yourself
What is it, specifically, that’s making me unhappy?
How long have I felt this way?
Is this something I can realistically troubleshoot with my manager?
Is my manager likely to act on the solutions I’ve suggested or take them seriously?
If this problem were solved, could I be happy at work again?
What does my dream role and/or dream workday look like? How far am I from this reality?
Our experts also recommend talking things through with friends or family who know you well. They can provide an external perspective and might be able to validate any changes in your attitude or personality caused by a negative work experience. They may even have suggestions or advice you haven't considered.
Read more: How to resign from your job
Good reasons for leaving a job
Lack of career progression
Company culture misalignment
ESG and DEI concerns
Need for new challenges
Misalignment with company values
Lack of meaningful work
Career move into a new industry
Are my reasons for leaving valid?
Your unhappiness is a good enough reason to take the urge to resign seriously. However, taking the time to unpack your feelings and their causes thoroughly can help you feel confident in your decision and give you a list of potential solutions to bring to your employer.
Is it better to have a new job before quitting?
Our experts advise securing a new job offer before handing in your resignation, so you aren’t leaving yourself in a precarious situation.
Delaying your resignation while you interview for other roles can give you the time and space to compare other opportunities with your current job and can provide perspective on your situation. It will also prevent you from rushing to find a new employer, potentially putting yourself into another unsuitable dynamic.
Read more: Things you should know before you quit
The final reason it’s better to secure a new role before resigning is that it’ll make you less tempted to accept a counteroffer from your current employer (they rarely work out long term!).
Working with a recruitment company as part of your job search gives you access to the expertise you need to negotiate any knee-jerk offers your employer might make and can also help you get a better deal with your new employer.
If you can’t secure a new role before leaving or feel you need to resign sooner due to poor mental health or other time-sensitive issues, a recruiter can help support your job search.
How to leave a job on good terms
An amicable departure starts with a positively framed resignation letter. It’s also important to ensure that your line manager is the first person to know that you’ll be leaving and that you inform them in a dedicated meeting to prevent any gossip or hearsay.
Once you’ve handed in your resignation letter, you might be tempted to take your foot off the accelerator and allow your notice period to run its course. However, our experts recommend going the extra mile during your notice period to ensure you can leave on good terms. Complete any outstanding work (wherever possible) and arrange a thorough handover with your line manager and colleagues.
Finally, we recommend being honest but diplomatic in your exit interview. You can use your initial list of self-reflective questions to clarify what prompted you to resign so you have a professional answer ready.
Remember to steer clear of negative, blame-centric language — it might be tempting to use your exit interview as an opportunity to vent, but if you want to keep relations sweet, we'd advise against it!
Are you ready to move on to a new role? Our recruitment experts are on hand to help you take the next exciting step on your career path. Upload your CV or browse open roles and see what new opportunities are waiting for you.
