May 29th, 2017

When Should I Quit My Job?

​Having coached clients and employees for more than 40 years, I suppose there are a few reasons IF they were well thought-out.

Obviously, ‘retirement’ would be one. You can retire ‘early’ at age 62 and receive 75% of the Social Security benefits you would have received at age 66. Retire after age 66 and receive more! There could be a reason, but hopefully you’re in a financial position to do so to support yourself (and any family) until ‘the day.’ Few can exist on Social Security alone and the IRS taxes those payments, too!
 
Employees quit their job for many different reasons. Some reasons are insufficient for such a move.
 
My one suggestion is ‘…have another job nailed-down first’ before submitting your ‘notice?’  If so, good luck! There is always ‘greener grass’ on the other side, but then some of the grass that was green with the former position is now brown with the new employer. Ask the right questions during the interview! Sadly, most candidates do not.
 
You are always more ‘marketable’ when employed versus unemployed!
 
“The Greatest Generation” workers typically stayed with only one, or two companies in their life. “Baby-Boomers” were with five, or six companies. Their children…typically a lot of companies in a rather brief time span. No one expects, or hopes that any employee stays with one company for a lifetime. People change; goals change; conditions and circumstances change, but think hard about your future, what you enjoy, what’s in your heart. Nothing is etched in granite!
 
My strong advice for my coaching clients is to pursue a position and an industry that they would ‘love.’ One must be reasonable as to the normal, basic qualifications (or work hard to get them) and does one have sufficient credentials to try such a move? If so, go for it!
 
It’s very possible that if one has an undergraduate degree that the new position doesn’t relate at all. For instance, a Political Science major wanting to join a Marketing Department. If one interviews well, the Job Offer may soon follow…even against those with a major in Marketing!
 
“Work” is a “four-letter word,” but as the departed comedian/actor George Burns said, “If you love your work, it’s not work!”
 
With the right position, in the right industry, with the right management and culture, one could find satisfaction, a sense of accomplishment, challenges, failures, successes, promotions, and income to build the assets you dreamed for your family. That will NOT happen on government assistance!
 
There ARE professionals out there to help with that resume, cover letter, social media, interviewing, and reviewing the Offer and, when necessary, authoring the Counter-Offer. I do them every day!
 
“Live long and prosper.” – Mr. Spock, Star Trek
​