How to determine the ideal moment
to quit your job

It’s very common to speak with people who are questioning their choice of career. But when it comes to questioning whether to keep working or returning to a work environment that is de-motivating and uncomfortable, for people experiencing this situation it’s time to ask the hard questions.

Some of you who are reading this have undoubtedly experienced a moment of dissatisfaction with your career at one time or another. In these moments, there are telltale signs that you are unhappy at work. These can include sadness; a sense of disengagement; the feeling that everything is grating on your nerves; “Sunday night” syndrome and having a hard time returning from vacation, among others. If these feelings persist over time, it’s time to ask the question:

How long should we endure an unsatisfying professional situation before making the move to another job, or even another career?

Clearly, there is no single answer to this complicated question. Everyone has their own level of tolerance for discomfort. It’s natural to compare your experience to those of friends and colleagues to try and find the answer to this question. You might say to yourself: “My colleagues seem happy, I should be able to be happy too,” or “Lots of people I know are unhappy in their jobs, yet they stay,” but the reality is that these comparisons won’t help you find the answer to your own professional situation.

Importantly, the need for security must be taken into consideration when you’re feeling unsatisfied with work. The famous “Golden Prison” that offers generous benefits, great working conditions (location, salary or both) and perhaps a certain amount of prestige are all elements that need to be taken into account when deciding whether to stay or leave. Lastly, fear associated with leaving one’s job is a common reason why people put off quitting – but at what price?

In essence, it is the balance between the unpleasant aspects of one’s job and the need for security that is at the heart of the decision whether to stay or go. If you find yourself faced with this dilemma, here are a few questions that may help you find an answer as you reflect on what to do:

• How long have you felt uncomfortable at your job?
• What is causing the discomfort?
• Is this the first time you’ve experienced such a feeling in your professional life?
• Do you know what caused the change in your feelings about your job?
• What do you think could improve the situation? Are these things realistic and/or obtainable?
• Is it possible to express your feelings at work?
• Do you feel a marked decline in your mental state or your well-being? Are these feelings impacting your personal or professional life?

Don’t shy away from asking yourself these questions on a regular basis to see how you answers change (or don’t change) over time. This exercise will help you take the “pulse” of your needs.

In cases where you simply can’t come to a decision or you have doubts about your choices, an orientation counselor can help you get in touch with your feelings and your challenges and help you reflect on what you truly want. The orientation counselor can help you discover the answers to questions including: Am I prepared to stay at my job in full understanding of how I’m feeling, and what will the consequences be if I choose to stay? They can help you find the answer to this complicated decision.

By Fanny Smolsky, organizational orientation counselor and Amélie Lesage-Avon, orientation counselor with BrissonLegris

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