Top Ten Reasons to Quit Your Job
Complaining about work is something we are all guilty of. The grass is always greener. Often times, however, workers become complacent in their job and deal with an enormous amount of stress and annoyance in exchange for job security.
The days of tenure and career advancement in one company are over. Knowing when the right time to quit your job can ultimately improve many facets of your life. When the rewards you get from your occupation do not succeed in making you feel appreciated, less worked or more paid, you should begin asking yourself: Is it time I quit my job?
So how do I know when it is time to quit?
Sign Number 1: Your co-workers are annoying
At any place of employment you are going to have to adapt to a number of different personality traits, habits, and downright annoyances. Having the ability to manage people and keep a level-head is a skill that is valued in any position. However, there are certain people that simply obstruct your ability to work. They are distracting and impede productivity. If you begin to feel that your co-workers are diminishing your ability to work effectively and are holding you back from career advancement, it may be time to seek a new job with a more conducive work environment.
Sign Number 2: The environment is toxic
Everyone experiences job highs and lows, but discontent could also be a sign of chronically depressing work environment or even a company in peril. A bad work environment is reflective of the culture of an entire business. Do you work in a less-than-nurturing atmosphere? Is morale constantly low? Have you been complaining for two solid years? It could be an organizational problem that applying feng shui to your cube just won't fix.
Sign Number 3: You're mentally exhausted by the end of the day
Stress can cause low morale, decreased productivity and apathy towards work. In addition, it can spill into your personal life and even have a negative effect on your health. Today there are fewer people who are taking on more and more work. American workers experience burnout at an alarming rate. According to a recent survey, 68 percent of workers feel burnout at work, and 45 percent said their workloads are too heavy. Yes, we all have to pick up some slack and "take one for the team" from time to time. But if there's no end in sight, do yourself and your health a favor and dust off your resume.
Sign Number 4: Your boss is a nightmare
Even though this person is your boss, it doesn't give him license to do anything he wants. If you have a lousy boss, even the best job in the world can make life a living hell. Your relationship with your supervisor plays a big role in your overall professional happiness and success. Fighting to have your boss removed or waiting for your boss to change or get fired are rarely successful tactics. If you are working for someone who is always absent, unavailable, self-absorbed or untrustworthy, it's time to look for a better supervisor and a better opportunity.
Sign Number 5: You're watching the clock...every 5 minutes
Though you might not like to work, it's even worse when you are bored while you're there. One can only watch so many videos on YouTube or bid on unneeded things on eBay. If you aren't feeling challenged, that's a sign that you need additional responsibilities or a change roles. And be warned, if you don't have any responsibility or find yourself with nothing to do, management might be trying to phase you out and you might be in danger of losing your job.
Sign Number 6: You get no respect
Does any of this sound familiar? Your ideas aren't taken seriously; there are no opportunities for advancement; the boss ignores you; co-workers alientate you; you're discouraged from improving skills with a course or seminarl you're passed over for a promotion - again; or you're excluded from key projects and strategizing sessions. So why are you still giving this organization your time, energy and great ideas?
Sign Number 7: Your co-workers act like animals
They live for themselves and only themselves. They irritate you. They offend you. They have no manners or ethics. And you work with them all. Whether your co-worker is stealing credit for your work, blaming their failure on you, or you know more about your neighbors boyfriend than their ability to produce work, it's time to start seeking a new job.
Sign Number 8: Nobody communicates
Although we live in a world of e-mail, cell phones, instant messages, Blackberries, WiFi and, yes, even face-to-face conversation, there can still be a complete lack of communication. Whether it's a co-worker who's not returning your voice mail or the CEO not conveying a company's goal and accomplishments, the breakdown of communication can be frustrating and detremental to your job. It can cost you an account, make you miss a deadling, cause you to lose a client, and even get you fired.
Sign Number 9: You're not valued
Forty-three percent of workers do not feel appreciated, and one-fourth of workers feel that they are just a "number" within their organization. You need to realize that you deserve credit for your successes. Recognition is important, and good companies implement programs to let employees know they are valued. Is your company doing anything to reward your efforts? Do you ever receive bonuses, perks, or positive feedback? If your boss has never heard of positive reinforcements verbal or otherwise, find a company the will value your talents.
Sign Number 10: You feel stifled
What kind of quality of life do you have? Is your 40-hour week turning into a 24/7 grind? While salary may seem like the end all and be all, your quality of life determines your overall happiness. How much time you spend on the job, working conditions, supervisors and subordinates can positively and negatively impact your job outlook. If you dread the time you spent at work, it should be clear indicator that it's time to break free. A job shouldn't stifle you creatively, mentally or physically.
Are you answering yes to any or all of these signs to quit your job? If so, Free Career Search can help. By using the search box above you will have tailored career results to help you meet your career aspirations.
