No wrong turns
Leaving your job? Do it for the right reasons
By Marco Buscaglia for Tribune Content Agency
Published in the Chicago Tribune on February 25, 2024
Deciding whether to stay with a company or look for a new job is a big decision, one that requires careful consideration. If you are thinking about leaving your current employer, don’t make a rash decision. Of course, there is no cookie-cutter approach to leaving a current job to look for a new gig but there are definitely right and wrong reasons. To help distinguish between the two, we’ve created a list that includes several factors employees should consider before giving their two-week notice.
Right - Job satisfaction
Assess your level of job satisfaction. Do you enjoy your work and feel fulfilled by your role? Consider whether your tasks align with your interests, skills and career goals.
Wrong - Comfort zone
Remaining in your current role because it's familiar and comfortable may prevent you from exploring new opportunities that could lead to greater fulfillment and advancement.
Right - Career growth opportunities
Evaluate the company's career advancement opportunities. Are there opportunities for promotion, skill development and learning? Consider whether the company supports your long-term career aspirations.
Wrong - Fear of change
Staying with a company simply because you fear change or uncertainty can limit personal and professional growth. It's important to embrace change as an opportunity for learning and development.
Right - Work-life balance
Can you maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life? Consider whether the company's culture and policies support employee well-being and flexibility.
Wrong - Unhappy loyalty
Staying with a company out of a sense of obligation or loyalty despite being unhappy or unfulfilled can be detrimental to your well-being and career progression.
Right - Compensation and benefits
Review your compensation package, including salary, bonuses, benefits and perks. Compare it to industry standards and consider whether you are being fairly compensated for your contributions.
Wrong - Financial incentives alone
While competitive compensation and benefits are important, staying with a company solely because of financial incentives, such as a high salary or bonuses, may lead to sacrificing other aspects of job satisfaction and fulfillment.
Right - Company culture
Assess the company culture and values. Do you align with the company's mission, values and work culture? Consider whether you feel valued, respected and supported by your colleagues and supervisors.
Wrong - Status or prestige
Staying with a company for the sake of maintaining a certain status or prestige, such as the reputation of the company or the perceived importance of your position, may not necessarily lead to personal satisfaction or fulfillment if other aspects of the job are lacking.
Right - Job security
Consider the stability of your position within the company. Are there signs of potential layoffs, restructuring or downsizing? Evaluate the company's financial health and industry outlook.
Wrong - Short-term benefits
Focusing solely on short-term benefits, such as avoiding the inconvenience of a job search or immediate financial stability, without considering long-term career growth and fulfillment, may limit your potential for advancement and happiness.
Right - Personal development
Reflect on whether you have personal and professional development opportunities. Can you learn new skills, take on challenging projects and grow in your role? Consider whether the company invests in employee development and training.
Wrong - Unwillingness to challenge yourself
Avoiding new challenges or opportunities for growth because of a reluctance to step out of your comfort zone can lead to stagnation and complacency in your career.
Right - Relationship with supervisors and colleagues
Assess your relationships with your supervisors and colleagues. Do you feel supported, appreciated and respected in your workplace? Consider whether there are conflicts or challenges that impact your job satisfaction.
Wrong - External pressure
Succumbing to external pressure from family, friends or societal expectations to stay with a certain company or in a particular role, even if it doesn't align with your own career aspirations and values, can lead to dissatisfaction and regret.
Right - Company reputation and ethics
Consider the company's reputation in the industry and community. Is the company known for ethical practices, diversity and corporate social responsibility? Evaluate whether you feel proud to be associated with the company.
Wrong - Waiting for perfect conditions
Conditions like waiting for a specific project to be completed or waiting for a certain milestone to be reached, before considering other opportunities may result in missed chances for growth and advancement.
Right - Intuition and gut feeling
Trust your intuition and gut feeling about whether it's time to move on. Pay attention to any persistent feelings of dissatisfaction or unhappiness in your current role.
Wrong - Lack of confidence
Staying with a company because you doubt your abilities or fear rejection in the job market can hinder your self-confidence and prevent you from pursuing opportunities that could lead to personal and professional growth.