Should You Quit Your Job?

If you are at a point in your career where you feel it is time for either a raise or a change, you may want to think about quitting your job. Although that may initially sound counterintuitive and scary, it is a strategy that more employees are using to increase their salary. In some extreme examples, employees change as frequently as every 6 to 12 months. While that is generally only something that works in fields that are in high demand, such as engineering, the strategy of looking outside your current job for a pay increase provides opportunities for any motivated employee.

How Many People Are Quitting Their Jobs?

To put this trend in perspective, statistics from the Bureau of Labor show that 3.2 million people quit their jobs in February of 2018. Even though this may sound like a significant issue, economists have made it clear that it's actually a good thing. The proof is in the fact that at the end of February this year, there were 6.1 million job openings, showing that there are plenty of job opportunities for those who hope to make a job change.

Can Quitting Hurt Your Resume?

Despite the fact that many employees are taking this strategy to increase their pay, it does not mean that everyone is comfortable with the idea. One concern many employees have about quitting their job, or changing jobs somewhat frequently, is it will look bad on their resume. As previously mentioned, if you work in startups or a field like technology, frequent changes are not really an issue. That being said, if you work in another industry, changing jobs all the time would probably reflect poorly on your resume. But just because not everyone has the ability to quit at the drop of a hat, that does not mean this general strategy should be ignored. Sometimes quitting is the only opportunity for real career growth.

What Is the Best Way to Quit Your Job?

If you have been working at a company for several years and currently have an offer from another company, for more money or more growth opportunities, you have two options. The first is to ask your boss for a raise that would meet the outside offer you have received. If you do not receive the raise, you could then quit. The other option is to simply quit without first asking for a raise.

Which path is the right one for you? It really comes down to whether or not you enjoy working at your current job. If you like what you do and who you do it with, it makes sense to put in the effort to see if they are willing to pay enough to keep you around.

On the other hand, if you are tired of your job and feel that it does not challenge you, a new offer is the perfect opportunity to quit your current job and start down a new path. Although it is normal to feel nervous about quitting, as long as you do it in a professional manner, you can feel confident about your decision to move on to a higher-paying job.