Do you hate your job? If you do, you’re not alone. If you’re thinking about quitting your current job, here are some great tips on how to do it without getting raked over the coals.
* Always Have Another Job Lined Up Before Quitting
Finding a job beforehand not only gives you the confidence to leave your current job, but gives you the security of knowing that your finances aren’t going to take a nose dive. If you really hate your job, get out there on your days off and look for another place to work. If the reason that you’re quitting your current job has to do with pay, your current employer may even match the competition’s salary just to keep you on board.
* Let Your Family Know You’re Quitting Your Job
Ever seen those TV shows where the guy quit his job, and ends up in a bar getting smashed because he doesn’t know how to tell his wife? Maybe you’ve lived this scenario. Trust me, it isn’t fun. Let your spouse/immediate family know of your plan to quit your job to avoid having to sleep in the dog house for a week.
* Save A Couple Months’ Salary
If you have any experience with living in this world, you know that things don’t always work out like you plan them to. Saving money before you quit your job will help you deal with those little disasters that always seem to pop up at the wrong times. Most employers who offer direct deposit also offer the option of depositing a portion of your paycheck into a savings account that you designate, so take them up on their offer.
* Pay Bills A Month Ahead
This tip follows the philosophy of saving money before quitting your job. If possible, pay an extra car or rent payment for a couple months, just in case. I know it’s not always possible, especially in this day and age, but it’s always a good feeling when you know that your vehicle won’t be repossessed in the middle of the night.
* Give At Least A Two Week Notice Before Quitting Your Job
I’ve been guilty of not doing this on more than one occasion, and it has bitten me more than once. Always give notice before quitting your job. This benefits you because in most cases, you will be eligible for being re-hired if things don’t work out, and your employer probably won’t give you a bad reference. You’ve likely made friends of some of your co-workers, and just quitting without notice may put more work on their shoulders, and leave a negative but lasting impression of you.
* Don’t Burn Your Bridges
This is probably the best advice I can give you as far as quitting your job goes. Let your employer know that there are no hard feelings, that you enjoyed the experience (even if you didn’t), and that you may come back to work for the company in the future. Who knows. Your boss at your current job could end up being your supervisor a few years down the road. It’s happened to me, and it can happen to you! Talk about awkward.
* Let Your Employer Know Why You’re Quitting
Try to give your current employer some explanation of why you’re giving your 2 week notice. If he/she is a decent supervisor, they may try to correct the problem, and you may not end up having to quit your job at all. At the very least, letting the company know why you quit may help your former co-workers, who share your concerns and are thinking of quitting also, as the company may resolve the issue.
* Return Everything That Belongs To The Company
Most jobs are reluctant to give you a paycheck in the first place, so don’t give them a reason to dock you by not returning things like work uniforms. Turn in name tags, hats, and any other equipment that belongs to the company. If you’re leaving on bad terms, the company would probably like nothing more than to snatch your last paycheck from under you. Don’t give ‘em the satisfaction.
* Copy Your Time Card Or Hours Worked Record For Your Last 2 Weeks
This will insure that you get paid correctly on your last check. If you don’t have a physical time card, ask your supervisor for a printout of the hours you worked at the end of each week, or better yet, each day. I’ve been stiffed out of hours before, but I had no proof of hours worked, so I got nada. Keeping records is a good habit to get into, even if you’re not planning on quitting your job.
* Leave On A Positive Note
In other words, giving your company the finger as you walk to your car isn’t a good idea. I know that it can’t be helped sometimes, but try not to. Exit graciously. Your company probably has video cameras, and they may end up sending a copy of the tape over to your next job just for kicks. That should be fun to explain.
The decision to quit your job is always a difficult one to make, but by following these tips your transition should be smoother. And who needs more stress?
