New Years Resolution Quit My Job - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

New Years Resolution Quit My Job - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Should you quit your job? Probably. The majority of people are unsatisfied in their jobs  and  the odds are  you should have a new years resolution like Get a new job. Proactive job hoppers tend to  make more money and  gain career satisfaction. See my previous post  for more thoughts on this topic. The best time to look for a job is when you are employed and doing well in your current role. The next best time to look for a job is when you are employed and not doing well. Consider these classic examples of two people who recently contacted me Last week, a Group President for a Fortune500 was referred to me because he has a new CEO boss and sensed that things may be changing for the worse. This president anticipates that the management direction will not be a good fit for him and he is motivated to reduce his risks  by conducting  a  proactive  job search. The week before last, a B2B salesperson at a small employer was referred to me because he had taken a commission-only job a few months earlier and saw no opportunity to earn what he needs to support his family. It was evident to the salesman that he is in the wrong job and hence he wants to jump ship ASAP. Its a new year and you have lots of options. Tens of thousands of people are changing jobs every day. If you find yourself in any of the following job situations, I want to encourage you to consider quitting your job: I dont enjoy the work I do I am underpaid or underappreciated for what I contribute I dont like the people or culture I see no opportunity for development or advancement My boss is not supportive or is incompetent My employer is losing ground or heading in the wrong direction For these situations, it is likely you can benefit from taking POSITIVE STRATEGIC actions. I emphasize positive because it is important you not act  destructively and I emphasize strategic because these are serious matters that require pre-planning and effective execution. Before jumping to the conclusion that you must quit your employer to improve your situation, however, ask yourself: Have I stood up for myself in a professional manner? Have I asked directly for what I want changed? Have I attempted to change jobs/bosses/departments in a politically advisable manner? Have I developed myself and increase  my contributions to demonstrate  my value? If you have not considered such options for improving your current circumstances within your employer, then I encourage you to develop a strategy and add  to your new years resolutions list. Heres an example: I will get at 10% salary increase by developing an effective strategy and asking for it. On the other hand, if you have taken reasonable actions internally  and achieved no results,  it may be time to change employers. Most of the time, I would advise you to consider  acting  as the president and salesman intend to do.  I describe this  in Fast Track Your Job Search (and Career!)  as giving your current employer your two week notice pink slip” after finding a better job. In other words quit. But, quit on your own terms on your own timetable. Check out my 37 previous blog posts  for ideas on how to conduct an effective job search. Good luck and happy hunting in the new year!