Five Things to Consider Before Leaving your Job

Amidst the chaos wrought by the recent pandemic, the phenomenon of quiet quitting and the sea of existential questions regarding job satisfaction, it’s clear that more workers than ever are at this very moment sitting at their desks and considering throwing in the towel. Working long hours in a job that fails to inspire you is a depressing thought, so it’s understandable that wistful job board scrolls and resignation letter drafts are becoming the norm for many. But what do disgruntled employees need to consider before making the life-altering decision to quit their jobs and start afresh?

Before he founded the successful online tutoring company, Tutor House, Alex Dyer spent nearly a decade in a teaching position that simply did not fulfil him. He shares his thoughts on making the transition process as organised and grounded as possible, while never settling for second best.  

1. Think holistically

If you’ve made the big decision to change careers, make sure you’re considering all factors. Yes, doing something you love is paramount, but what about lifestyle implications? Be sure to choose a career path that accommodates how you want to live. This might include working from home, flexible hours or any other aspects of a work/life balance that are important to you.

2. Plan the transition period down to a T

Consider what the between-jobs stage will look like. Will it be solely job hunting? Will you need to go back into education or commit time and money to full-time training? Whatever the situation, make sure you’ve done all the necessary research and know exactly what to expect. 

3. Strategise around money

This might sound basic but it’s easy to get tripped up on the logistics of financial questions. Before leaving your job, make sure you’ve budgeted down to the letter, considering all hypothetical outcomes from finding your dream job immediately to long term unemployment. What will losing the perks of your current role – company car, pensions, etc – mean for every day spending both now and in years to come, and what precisely will you require from your new job to get back on track financially?   

4. Perfect your interviewing game

If you’ve been in the same job for multiple years, chances are you’ve forgotten how to successfully sell yourself in a cut-throat job market, so make sure you’re up on the latest insider tips within recruitment. It’s important to know how to market yourself based on your previous career even if it’s in an entirely unrelated field. If you’re looking to go solo and start a business, you’ll still need pitching skills to get you through the hustling period, so make sure you’re investing in building these tools.  

5. Finally, the reward will outweigh the risk

While starting from scratch can be an overwhelming prospect, it is infinitely preferable to staying where you are if you’re unhappy in your current job. Low job satisfaction ripples through all aspects of life and can lead to severe mental health problems, so however intimidating a career jump can be, know that you are doing the best thing for yourself in the long run.

By The Tutor House content team