5 Steps to Quit Your Job (And When to Know It’s Time)
Deciding to update your resume and leave your job is never an easy choice. With so much on our plates—work responsibilities, family obligations, and everything in between—it often feels easier to stay in a role that isn’t serving you than to start over. But if you’re constantly complaining about your job or feeling that itch to look for something new, it’s time to take inventory of why you might be ready to quit.
Here are five signs it might be time to move on:
Unmanageable workloads
Lack of salary or promotion transparency
Micromanaging
Feeling undervalued in your expertise and contributions
That nagging gut feeling that something is off about the company
If any of these resonate with you, don’t panic. There’s a way to approach this thoughtfully and proactively. Below are five steps to help you take control of your career—and know when it’s time to walk away.
1. Make a Career Development Plan
This doesn’t have to be an elaborate 12-step blueprint. Start small and focus on what really matters to you. For example:
“I want to step into leadership.”
“I want to earn $100,000 per year.”
“I want to build my own business.”
“I need a job that allows me to pick my kids up from school.”
Take a moment to reflect on what you want from your career and how your job fits into your larger life goals. You spend so much of your life working—it’s essential that your job supports your happiness, values, and ambitions.
Write down your goals and the skills you’ll need to achieve them. These might include public speaking, managing a team, budgeting, or preparing for board meetings. Once you have this documented, it’s much easier to communicate it to others.
2. Share Your Goals
Once you’ve created your career development plan, don’t keep it to yourself. Share it with your manager and ask for their support. For example:
“I’ve been reflecting on my career goals, and I’d love your help in achieving [specific goal].”
This shows initiative and opens the door for collaboration. If your manager isn’t willing or able to support you, that’s a major red flag—and you might want to skip ahead to Step 5.
3. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
Clear communication is essential in every aspect of your career. Use every project, performance review, and interview as an opportunity to advocate for yourself and your goals. For example:
“I’m excited about this project because it will help me build my public speaking skills, which is a key goal for my career.”
“I was disappointed not to be involved in that project, as it aligns with my long-term career goals. How can I contribute next time?”
Don’t assume others will connect the dots for you. The more you communicate your aspirations, the better positioned you’ll be to achieve them.
4. Give Feedback
Growth takes time—for both you and your company. While you’re working toward your goals, it’s important to provide constructive feedback to yourself and your team. This helps create a healthier, more collaborative work environment. Examples of feedback include:
“From my perspective, I didn’t feel like I had a chance to showcase my value or skills in this project.”
“I wasn’t involved in the planning process for [specific project]. How can I be included next time?”
“That presentation wasn’t my best. I need to work on that skill moving forward.”
Giving feedback isn’t about assigning blame—it’s about building clarity, trust, and mutual respect.
5. Quit
If you’ve tried steps 1–4 and still feel stuck, undervalued, or underpaid, it may be time to move on. Leaving a job is a big decision, but if you’ve communicated your goals clearly and the support isn’t there, it’s no surprise you’re ready for something new.
When you’re ready to resign, keep the conversation professional and focus on your perspective. Read my advice on how to quit here.
Deciding to quit your job is never easy, but staying in a role that doesn’t value you is even harder. By creating a plan, advocating for yourself, and giving your company time to grow, you’re taking control of your career and your happiness. If you’ve done the work and it still isn’t enough, trust that it’s okay to move on. You deserve a role that aligns with your goals, values, and worth. Take the leap with confidence, and know you’re not alone in this journey.
