How Do You Know When to Quit Your Job?

Last night, I was talking to my friend Whitney about her frustrations with her job. Whitney works for a small privately owned company where she is the top-ranking finance person. I think her title is CFO but I am not certain. She started at the company a couple of years ago when she had just graduated from college and because she is extremely competent and hardworking she has assumed progressively more responsibility the longer she has been employed by the company. She is one of those people (every company has one) who is the go-to person for everything. She "gets it" and never lets the ball drop no matter what she has to do to fix the problem. She knows how everything works and she always thinks about the big picture even when she is working on the most mundane of details.

The problem is that Whitney works too hard in relation to her compensation and rewards program. She worked all day on new years eve and half a day on new years day just to get caught up because they are understaffed. And she is grossly underpaid for what she does. If your employer doesn't value your contributions enough to staff properly or pay you fairly then why kill yourself for the job? I told her that she is just too young to be this stressed out over a job. She seems to like the job when the owner is pleasant to her but he isn't always easy to get along with and at those times it just isn't worth the effort to her. Should she quit?

Here are my thoughts on how to tell when its time to cut your losses and get out of a difficult job:

1. If you are young, have few financial commitments, and you are underpaid and overworked you should think about looking for another job. You can get some great experience at a small company but if you aren't paid fairly for the work you do (Whitney needs a new car but can't afford one on her salary) and if there is no possibility for advancement you should start looking for new jobs. Consider larger companies where you can earn more money and learn new skills that you can leverage later on.

2. If you are being sexually harassed or if you work for an abusive boss you should look for a new job. If you don't find another job before the environment becomes more than you can handle, hire a good attorney to help you negotiate your exit. I would add that if you work for a manager who is abusive to you (not necessarily textbook "harassing")on a regular basis you should look for another job. I have read management books that preach flexibility and honing your ability to adapt to any manager and, on some level I agree. But there are some mean people in the world and if you work for one you should get out before it affects your self esteem, your health, or your advancement options.

3. If you work for a company or in an industry that is in decline it's probably time to find a new job. You don't want to be the last man/woman standing when they start laying off because you won't have the the same appeal to a new employer at that point. Pay attention to the writing on the wall and if it looks like layoffs or office closings are going to happen you should get out before the sh-t hits the fan.

4. If you are approached by a recruiter about a great job with another company it's time to go on an interview. Forget loyalty, look out for your own career and meet with the recruiter about the job. For one thing, you can't turn down a job you haven't been offered. So at the very least find out more information about the potential job. I have talked to a lot of folks over the years who say things like, "I can't leave my job because my boss has been so good to me and they really need me." Really? It's great to be loyal but understand that these days any employer will lay off any employee if business needs change. Look out for yourself because when push comes to shove your employer will most certainly put its needs before yours.

5. If your employer doesn't share your values or offer benefits that you desire you should seek an employer that does. Tuition reimbursement is a great example of this. Some employers don't offer any tuition reimbursement (perhaps a sign that they don't value higher education) while others have very generous programs. Many people (myself included) have sought out employers who are willing to pay for all or a large part of a graduate degree. For most people past the age of 25, going to graduate school full time means taking a hit in pay that you may or may not recoup later. Any assistance you can get from your employer that allows you to attend graduate school part time is a very valuable benefit.

6. If your office is a hostile or negative work environment you should get out for your own good. I worked for a company once where everyone was tense all the time because of the high pressure and culture of distrust and disrespect. I lasted a year and it took a toll on my health. You have to live with the body you were born with for your entire life so I don't think it makes a lot of sense to let a job affect your health.

7. If you want to change careers or jobs and you can't do that at your current employer you should find a new job. Are you working for a bank but you really want to join the Peace Corps? Then apply for a job with the Peace Corps...don't stick around a job you don't like. Don't be afraid to change careers or try for your dream job.

Lots of people take whatever job they can find right out of college. Then they get promoted, then they move to another department and do a great job so they are recruited by a competitor. They make more money along the way and then they wake up at age 45 and say, "How did I get here? This isn't the life I envisioned." Be strategic about your career and at least once a year take some time to evaluate the career path you are on. Don't be afraid to change directions if you aren't headed in the right direction for you.

A job isn't a marriage - you can leave whenever you want. Don't be afraid to look for a new job if your current one isn't working out for you for whatever reason. A great time to start to look for a job is at the first of the year because many employers are hiring at that time (now). So what are you waiting for? Update your resume and start that job search!