Figuring out when it is a good idea to quit your job, and when it is a good idea to stay can be difficult. Luckily, we are here to help you with that decision! We are going to help you ask the right questions, and give you some advice on keeping your job history as clean as possible if you do decide to leave.
First off it is important to ask what you are getting out of your current job- aside from money. If you are still in the beginning stages of your career, you might be learning a lot of from your current job. For those of us who are still just starting out, this is one of the most important aspects of our jobs. If the money is mediocre but you are consistently gaining new knowledge, it might be worth it to stick it out. Conversely, if you are making decent money but there is a new opportunity that will really help you learn more about your career, it might be worth it to make the switch. Remember that your career is more than just your current job, different companies can offer you different benefits, and they are not always monetary.
Similarly, you might find that you are still making useful connections in your current job. Remember that the workplace is an excellent place to network. If your middle management is middling, but you hold the upper management in high esteem, you might want to stick around until you can get to know the higher ups. Or maybe you have co-workers who used to work in a field that you are really interested in. If there are still a lot of untapped connections in your current job, you may want to stay until you cement them.
The last vital factor is paying attention to whether you would be making a lateral or upward move by switching companies. If another company offers you the same job, think twice before you take it. Change is exciting, but it may not help your career to bounce from company to company, keeping the same basic position. The only reason to do this is if there is more upward mobility in the new company. Otherwise it might be better to stay where you are and try for a promotion, instead of a company switch.
If you decide that a new company is the right move for you, go for it! Just remember to leave in a professional and courteous way. When you are on the interview circuit old employers are incredibly useful. If you can leave in a way that makes them happy to be one of your references, that is ideal. Make sure to give ample notice, and to continue working hard until the day you leave. You should also take the time to prepare answers to interview questions about your old job. When you are asked why you left, be ready to answer a question that makes both you and your old company look good. You never want to complain about your old jobs in an interview.
So if you are looking to quit your job, take some time and make sure it is the best career move. If you can answer the questions satisfactorily and still want to leave, you should! Just remember to keep all of your connections as strong as possible, and you will be re-employed before you know it.