Many of you might be able to relate: I’m at an age (or maybe just a point in my life?) where congratulations are usually in order for those who’ve finally resigned from their jobs. Older generations will complain about how today’s young workforce is spoiled and fickle-minded; but for a lot of us, letting go of a toxic job is one of the bravest and most liberating things we’ve ever done.
If you’re thinking about resigning from your job, you’ve come to the right place. Here, you’ll be met not with judgment or harsh criticism — just real talk. The important thing is to think before you act; so, here are a few things to think about before handing in that resignation letter.
Questions to ask yourself before resigning from your job
1. Why do you want to resign?
Is it because you no longer want to work at your current job, or because you’ve found better opportunities?
Are you thinking of leaving because of something that can still be resolved? If the answer is yes, you might want to think twice about this. The same goes if a long vacation leave is enough to change things for you! (It is, of course, a whole other story if your job doesn’t allow you to take one.)
2. Are you really ready to give up your job?
There’s a range of things that makes different jobs very attractive: the money, the people, and — if you’re lucky — getting to do something you’re passionate about. In addition, there’s also the security that comes with being employed, along with a number of job benefits like health insurance, 13th month pay, and so on.
If you’re really lucky, you can find a job that gives you all that. But for most mere mortals, you can only have some of those things. Given this, you should definitely stop and think about whether you’re willing to lose the things you like about your current job.
3. What do you plan to do next?
As someone who’s resigned from a job before, I can imagine that a lot of you hate being asked this question. But the fact of the matter is, there are many people who quit their jobs with no next step in mind besides resting and finding a job later. Unfortunately, it can take months until you find a new one, especially if you’re looking to switch career paths.
Again, no judgment here. I mistakenly thought I’d find a new job in no time, and wound up unemployed for far longer than I’d thought. (A whopping six months, if you were curious!) And while the six-month vacation was definitely lovely, it definitely had its repercussions. Which brings me to my next point…
4. Do you have enough money saved up for your unemployment period?
Of course, this is just assuming you don’t have a new job lined up yet. If you plan to take a few months’ rest, it’ll definitely be useful to evaluate whether you can actually afford it. Otherwise, you might end up regretting resigning from your job — because despite how much you disliked it, it still allowed you to pay for your bills and treat yourself!
Not planning to resign immediately? Take the time to start a fund for your unemployment or job-hunting period. Seek out part-time or freelance opportunities if you want to earn while you’re in between jobs. The important thing is to make sure that you don’t blow all your savings after resigning.
5. Is now the right time to resign from your job?
Like with many things in life, quitting your job the smart way means taking timing into consideration. Are you about to get promoted? Are you up for a raise?
Also consider if there are important things you have to pay for — utility bills, medicine and hospital bills, or a loved one’s educational expenses. Finally, you should also think about the current situation (case in point, this pandemic). Is it easy to find another job right now? Are companies actively hiring in your desired industry at this time?
These questions might seem like such a nuisance, but at the end of the day, you’ll thank yourself for taking them into account.
Also read: Work From Home Burnout Is Real: 10 Signs You Should Take a Vacation
If everything checks out, then congratulations! It’s time to write that resignation letter — or you know, send in the one that’s been sitting in your drafts for the past few months.
Featured image credit: indypendenz via Canva Pro
