Laters, Baby. When is the Right Time You Leave Your Job?

Scroll down to read more!

Laters, Baby. When is the Right Time You Leave Your Job?

Scroll down to read more!

Table of Contents

Last week, I received a message from Klout that said so-and-so needed my advice. Now, honestly, I usually glance over these sorts of emails and don’t pay them any mind. However, this particular day, I opened it and logged into my account. The question that was posed to me was this:

How long should I stay at a job if I know it’s not a good fit? That, my friend, is a very good question, indeed.

HOW LONG SHOULD YOU STAY AT YOUR JOB?

This was my response: My grandfather always advised me to give anything that I tried at least a year. However, I would say it also depends on the circumstances. Ultimately, my advice would be to line up another gig before your leave your job … if that’s at all possible. Good Luck!

Let’s break this down a little bit more …

My grandfather (actually, here in southeastern PA, we say “pop-pop”) taught biology at a Philadelphia area public school for 30 years. He lived in the same house for 50 years and served as a PFC in the USMC in WW2. He embodied everything good about the Greatest Generation. He worked hard, was loyal and humble, and gave a damn. I vividly recall him telling me to stick something out for at least a year before making a decision.

This is solid advice, unless, of course, the circumstances clearly prevent you from staying at your job. If, for example, your job or job-related stress is negatively affecting your health or causing issues in your marriage … sticking it out for a year may be way too long. When deciding how long to stay at your job, consider having a heart-to-heart with yourself and honestly answer the question, “Is this worth it?”

If a job is merely “not a good fit,” should you just up and quit? What makes it not a good fit? There are so many questions that one could ask. If you are in a similar situation, what would you do? If it were me, I would first start with looking back at why I initially accepted the offer.

  • What made me say yes in the first place?
  • What do I like about the job?
  • What do I not like?
  • What do I like or not like about the company?
  • Now, what’s changed?
If the company is large enough, could you possibly transfer departments? Do you like what the organization does or stands for? Should you engage HR in a conversation? What’s the real issue behind the job not being a good fit?

KNOW WHEN TO HOLDEM’ AND WHEN TO FOLDEM’

The last piece of my advice to this individual on Klout was to try to line something else up before leaving. In today’s job market, to just up and leave a company because “you don’t like it” seems rather drastic. There are probably one hundred other people that would love to be in your shoes. But if you feel that leaving is the best next step, consider carving out time to search and land a new gig. And, this time, try to get all of the information that you need to make the right decision for you.
Did you like this post? Share it!

A Word From Our Sponsors

Ads help make Workology resources free for everyone. We respect your privacy. To see our Privacy Policy click here.

Recommended Posts

27 Companies Who Hire Adults With Autism

List of companies who hire and employ adults who are neurodiverse. ...

The Costs of Form I-9 Software

Read the complexities of Form I-9 compliance software costs. We break down pricing structures, features & benefits to help HR professionals....

Episode 415: Registered Apprenticeship Programs in the Clean Energy Sector With Dr. Janell Hills

In this episode, we interview Dr. Janell Hills from IREC about developing registered apprenticeship programs in the clean energy sector....
Sanjay Sathé, Founder & CEO of SucceedSmart, is no stranger to disrupting established industries.

Q&A With Sanjay Sathé, Founder & CEO of SucceedSmart

Sanjay Sathé, Founder & CEO of SucceedSmart, is no stranger to disrupting established industries. ...
supporting caregivers: the sandwich generation at work

Supporting Caregivers: The ‘Sandwich Generation’ at Work

Are companies doing what they should to support employees who become caregivers? ...

Recruiting Reimagined: How Specialized Software Strengthens Hiring in 2024

Even during fluctuating economic crosswinds, the war for talent remains white-hot across most industries. To efficiently staff crucial openings while staying within strained budgets,...

Checkout Our Products

Ads help make Workology resources free for everyone. We respect your privacy. To see our Privacy Policy click here.

More From Workology

Recruiting Reimagined: How Specialized Software Strengthens Hiring in 2024

Click on read more to open this post on our blog.
supporting caregivers: the sandwich generation at work

Supporting Caregivers: The ‘Sandwich Generation’ at Work

Are companies doing what they should to support employees who become caregivers?
Sanjay Sathé, Founder & CEO of SucceedSmart, is no stranger to disrupting established industries.

Q&A With Sanjay Sathé, Founder & CEO of SucceedSmart

Sanjay Sathé, Founder & CEO of SucceedSmart, is no stranger to disrupting established industries.

Episode 415: Registered Apprenticeship Programs in the Clean Energy Sector With Dr. Janell Hills

In this episode, we interview Dr. Janell Hills from IREC about developing registered apprenticeship programs in the clean energy sector.