21 Signs You Should Quit Your Job Immediately

When might be time to move on and leave a job? Deciding the right time to leave your job is a big decision in your professional career.

While, facing challenges at work is normal, but the intense feeling of wanting to look for a new job or feeling the need to quit your job should not be ignored.

It is important to recognize the warning signs that it’s time to hand in your formal resignation letter and start looking for something new.

Signs You Should Quit Your Job & Change Your Work Environment

Are you feeling unhappy, tired, or suffering?

Do you find yourself in a situation where you are consistently feeling emotionally, physically, or mentally drained because of work?

You are unhappy with yourself so much that you may even quit without a new job.

Here is a list of warning signs that you shouldn’t ignore.

1. You find yourself googling ‘should I quit my job?’

Google knows our deepest desire. Simply check your search history, what do you see?

Is it filled with articles with titles such as:

• I feel like quitting my job every day.
• Signs you should quit your job immediately.
• Can I quit a job I just started?
• How to quit my job while staying calm?
• What is the best time and day to quit my job?
• What to do before I resign?
• Steps guide to quit a job?
• Should you quit or get fired from your job?

Each article gives you a hint about what you really want.

If you are still unsure, keep reading…

2. You are saving for your cash escape fund

You’ve been preparing for the day when you can just walk out of the door. You’ve been saving rigorously as your desire to quit grows strong each day.

You don’t have time to find a new job before you quit, thus you are getting your escape fund ready!

Quitting your job without another job takes courage and preparation. Saving 3 months’ worth of salary is not easy. If you want to learn how to build your escape fund. Check out these articles below.

• How to save $10,000 fast?
• How to create a home budget?
• What are rainy day funds and emergency funds?

3. You dream of starting a business

Sitting in your cubical, you find yourself daydreaming about being your own boss.

You dream that one day…no one is going to chase after you about the deadlines, and no more fruitless meetings on Saturday mornings.

You have total control over your life.

Maybe you have an idea of what business you want to start, or maybe you haven’t thought of any, it doesn’t matter.

Nonetheless, you know, you want to be your own boss.

4. You hate Mondays more than paying your tax

The title says it all. Taxmen take a huge chunk of your money every year. Unless you love giving money, the odds are, you hate paying taxes.

5. You only talk about how much you hate your job

Do you find yourself complaining about your job every day? If so, this might be a sign that you should leave that job for something better.

Staying in a job you hate is very bad for your health. Not only it will affect you mentally, but it will also affect the people around you.

The negativity emitted, when complaining pushes people away.

If you hate your job.

Find a better opportunity elsewhere and quit your current job!

6. You don’t aspire to be in your boss’s role

If you want to advance in your career, you give your 101% to do exceptions in your job!

We look up to those above us and though,

“What do I need to do to get to where they are?”

Then one day, something changes. You see their 3 am emails, their 6 am meetings, and their 16 hours work day.

As sudden as how you’ve started your first day of work.

You’ve realized,

“I don’t want this”.

7. Your juniors got promoted, but you are not

This is your 6th year working in the company. Your junior who does everything wrong just got a promotion. She is getting higher pay, and soon to be your boss.

Do this sounds familiar?

Promotions are usually for employees who do their job well and show exceptional talent in providing value for the company.

But when you see signs of favoritism at the workplace, this may not be a good environment for you to stay.

8. You are underusing your talents

Each of us is unique and talented in certain ways. If you find yourself unable to use your talent to its full potential, you might be in the wrong place.

Just like a fish, who’s talent is to swim.

If you judge a fish on how well it walks, you’ll be very disappointed.

If your job is underusing your talent. Find a job that will nurture and maximize your potential.

You’ll be much happier and progress further in your career.

9. You are not following your passion

Successful people follow their passion. When your job is your passion, work will no longer be something you hate doing.

Warren Buffett tap dances to work, simply because investing is his passion. He loves to find great companies to invest in.

Although you may not tap dance to work, working in a job that gives you joy and a sense of achievement will make your work life much happier and easier.

10. You don’t see opportunities for growth

Have you learned anything new over the past 3 years?

Do you see yourself growing in the company?

If you answer “NO” to both of the questions, it might be a sign for you to find better opportunities elsewhere.

If you are someone who wants to progress in your career, you should join a company that gives you ample opportunities to grow.

11. Your job no longer aligns with your values

When we are young in our teens, we value wearing trendy clothes, club hopping, or spending a crazy amount on alcohol.

As we grow older in our 20s and 30s, we value the time we spend with our family, and our friends and the hours of sleep we can get each day.

Our values change with time and the placement in which we are.

When your job doesn’t align with your values anymore, it’s time to change.

12. You are so stressed at work that you can’t sleep at night

Work can be stressful, but when the amount of stress causes you to lose sleep, this can be dangerous.

Overly stress can cause a lot of health problems:

• Heart disease: High blood pressure and heart attacks can be common
• Asthma: An increase of asthma attacks can be bad
• Obesity: Hormone cortisol will increase the amount of fat deposited in the abdomen
• Diabetes: Stress can lead to unhealthy eating 
• Headaches: Not just normal headaches, but migraines can occur as well
• Depression: Chronic stress is the leading cause of depression and anxiety. In fact, you are 80% more likely to develop depression if under extreme stress for a long time.
• Gastrointestinal problems: Chronic stress can lead to heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome
• Alzheimer’s disease: Stress may cause the worsening of Alzheimer’s disease
• Accelerated aging:  Loss of hair and increase in wrinkles
• Premature death: Heard of people dying young? Yup, it can be due to stress

13. You need more work-life balance

Do you want more work-life balance?

If you desire a balance in life, there is no better way than to change your current job.

As time pass, most jobs are not going to become easier. On contradictory, you will get more responsibility and you will have less work-life balance.

If your current job makes you work 60 hours a week, maybe it’s time to find a new job, or change your industry.

14. You can’t see yourself there for the long term.

“Where do you see yourself in 5-years time?”

Asked the interviewer

Probably this is one of the most common interview questions.

You may have lots of passion and great plans for the role when you’ve just joined the company.

But one day, everything changed.

Seeing yourself working in the company for the next 5 Years?

Never!

You can’t wait to leave the company.

If that sounds like you.

You’ve got your answer.

15. Your responsibility have increased but your pay hasn’t

Your role has expanded, with more responsibility, and more projects. But it is funny because your salary doesn’t seem to increase.

You’ve asked your boss about getting a pay raise.

6 months have passed and nothing happens.

Your work keeps increasing but not your pay.

If that describes your situation, maybe, it’s time to change your job.

16. You find yourself grossly underpaid

The new guy with no experience just join your team, and he is paid 30% more than you.

Although sometimes it is normal to accept a lower salary in exchange for a unique opportunity, getting grossly underpaid can be a deal-breaker.

You may try asking for a pay raise.

Being under-compensated can reflect how your company perceived you.

Staying with the company can lead to frustration and a subpar lifestyle due to low salaries.

17. You spend more time thinking about better opportunities at another company

Opportunities are always available if you spend your time finding them.

Even when your current job seems “OK”, there are always better opportunities at other organizations where you may truly enjoy.

Jumping into better opportunities can give you a range of benefits, and better job satisfaction:

• Higher salary
• Better healthcare or medical benefits
• Better career advancement
• Borden your professional network
• Remote working opportunities

If your research of other companies shows better opportunities, you should consider taking action and going for their interviews.

18. Your work environment is toxic

Rumors circulate, people, talk behind others’ backs, get harassed and everyone works in isolation.

Departments don’t talk with each other, and the culture of blaming precedes.

It is like a live-action spin-off of the “mean girls” in office.

An unhealthy work environment can have adverse implications for your professional and personal life.

The distrust and negative vibe in the office can be contagious.

If you want to know how to quit a job you just started.

Leave that place immediately!

19. Your company’s future is in question

Job security is probably your main concern. This is especially important when you are the sole breadwinner of the family.

Many companies may experience cycles of highs and lows.

But if your company misses paying their employee’s salaries and is in danger of closing, you should consider leaving the company.

If you stay with a ship that is sinking, you’ll drown.

20. You won’t want your friends to work here

Most companies have referral plans which allow their employee to refer their friends to join the company. An incentive is usually given for each successful referral.

If you think, your friend will “unfriend” you for referring them to work at the company.

This is probably an obvious sign that you should also quit your job.

21. You don’t care about the money anymore

Money usually has the power to make a man do the unthinkable. Money has the power to make you work at 3 am at night, or work through the weekends for that sweet OT pay.

Then one day, you’ve snapped.

You don’t mind wearing your old clothes anymore, drinking tap water for breakfast, or moving back to live with your parents.

You just don’t want to stay another day in your current job!

And one day, you’ve realized… 

“It’s OK to get less pay to be happy!“

Finally… You’ve laughed, cried, and agreed with most things on this list

You know you want to leave, otherwise, you won’t be reading this.

You’ve just spent 10 minutes of your time reading a 2041 words article on why you should quit.

So…what’s next?

Find the right time to quit your job, by following a step-by-step process even if you are nervous and not sure how to tell your boss you are leaving.

Try filling up this checklist and see how you score.

Checklist: Warning signs to quit your job

What does your score mean?

• 0 to 5: You may consider working out if you can improve your condition at your workplace. Check if there are ways to make it into an environment where you can strive and grow.
• 6 to 10: Your work environment needs much improvement. But there is still an opportunity to make it better and may eventually become a place where you may want to continue to work.
• 11 to 15: Your work environment is showing red flags everywhere, it is not a good place for you to work and grow.
• 16 to 21: This is BAD! You are mentally, emotionally, and physically drained. Working here may cause you to have depression. You may want to learn how to quit your job now!

Be Prepared, It’s Time to Quit Your Job

If you want to stay in your industry, maybe it’s time to start looking for opportunities elsewhere

• Update your resume and draft a killer cover letter for every application.
• Update your profile on LinkedIn, Monster, and Indeed.
• List out the companies you’ll love to work for and contact them for any possible roles

If you want to change your industry, probably this will be the best time to start exploring

• Take up a relevant course in Udemy, Fiverr Learn, or Coursera and upgrade yourself with the relevant skills.
• Join related communities and learn from those who’ve done it and are working at your dream job.
• Reach out to the people in the industry and seek their guidance, you might be surprised at how many people will actually help you if you ask.

If you want to quit and re-discover what you want to do.

• Build up your escape fund to make sure your expenses are covered while you are not working.
• Ensure you have an emergency fund that is set aside for any unforeseen expenses in the future.
• Research the things you enjoy and find your passion.
• Educate yourself with short courses that cost less than $20 on Udemy and Fiver Learn

If you want to start a business

• Brainstorm ideas and think about what you want in life and what business can help you to achieve that.
• Start your side hustle over the weekends and time after work.
• Create a side hustle that generates passive income; YouTube Channel, Selling Photos, Renting out a Room, etc.
• Create a side Gig on Fiverr and become a Freelancer that can earn a 5-figure.

Best Time to Quit Your Job

If you are deciding to quit and deciding to quit your job, you must have wondered what is the best time and day of the week to hand in your resignation letter.

According to studies, if you’re ready to quit your job on good terms here’s what you’ll need to know:

• Best Day to Quit: Friday is the best day of the week to quit your job.
• Best Time to Quit: Late afternoon after 3pm is the best time to hand in your resignation letter.

When you are considering quitting your job, leave your job graciously and in good terms can help you in your future career.

Personal Experience on Quitting My Job

Recognize that the feeling of quitting and the actual submission of the resignation letter can be very different.

It may take months before you can pick up the courage to hand in your resignation letter. Because leaping into the unknown can be scary.

When I first quit my job, I have a similar fear within me,

• “What should I do next?”
• “What is going to happen to me?”
• “I am lost, help!”

Having these feeling are normal and we should embrace our fear.

When work is affecting your relationships, health, and personal worth, “enduring” will probably lead to more suffering.

If work is no longer worth it, it’s time to quit and find another job. Leaving your current job may not be the easiest thing to do, but if you are convinced that you are unhappy with your job. Quitting your job will be the best gift you’ve given yourself this year.