How to quit a job you hate ‘so badly’

How do you quit a job you hate so badly?

You should consider quitting a job that you are not happy with or that causes you stress. Ensure you have a plan in place for after you quit, even if you don’t have a job lined up. Give your boss two weeks notice and a letter of resignation while staying positive.

Quitting your job can be a stressful thought, but it can be a huge positive shift in your life. Nothing is going to change if you stay at the same company.

People quit their jobs every day and it all works out.

Luckily for you, I’ll walk you through if I should quit my job. I’ll show you what to do if you feel like you can’t quit and what to do after you quit. You’ll be well on your way to the next steps of your life before you know it.

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Should I quit my job?

You should consider quitting your job that you hate if the job is causing you stress, because life is too short to work in poor conditions. Ensure you have a plan in place to live in-between jobs and for finding your next job. Your next job might have better pay, benefits, and work-life balance, but staying at your current job means nothing will change.

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Is it OK to quit without a job lined up?

It is OK to quit your job without another job lined up. However, you should consider how you plan to live in-between jobs and have a plan to find a new job. Having your finances in order is an important step before quitting your job.

People quit their day job all the time without having a job lined up. You could consider it taking a mini-career break or a time to evaluate what you want out of life.

Your typical daily routine doesn’t leave much time for thinking. We often get trapped into a career for 40 years and let life pass us by. Quitting your job can give you time to think and find what you’re passionate about.

It’s ok to take lower paying work if it’s going to increase your overall happiness. Look for work that supports your passion, rather than a high-stress and well paying career.

Ask yourself, how are you going to live after you quit your job? You may still have bills to pay or family to support. In some cases, you might be able to move in with a friend or find other ways to reduce your expenses.

Ideally, you’ll have some savings to support your lifestyle during your career break.

Have a plan in place to find a new job. Will you start applying for jobs immediately? Just make sure you know when you’ll need to start finding new employment.

Don’t spend too much time without an income source. Keep in mind, when you aren’t earning money, you aren’t investing for retirement. Your early career years are the best time to stash away money for retirement.

How do you know it’s time to leave your job?

Signs you should quit your job immediately include poor mental health or stressful conditions, unhealthy work environment, ethical reasons, unfulfilling work, and no growth or adequate compensation. Most people leave jobs because of poor work-life balance or managers who make life miserable.

Your job should not negatively affect your mental health or put you in a stressful condition. Employees are often overworked, which causes burnout and leads to poor health decisions. You should never be put in an ethical dilemma as part of your job.

Having anxiety or hating the idea of showing up to work is a sign it’s probably time to leave your job.

Making matters worse is poor management who values company profits over employee satisfaction. Work culture is different at each company and switching jobs can immediately improve your situation.

As yourself, do the people you work with or companies policies make working unbearable? If so, it’s probably time to find a new career.

Companies will often place profit before employees, which often shows up in your compensation and career growth opportunities. You should look for a new career if your company’s compensation is lower than other companies or growth is limited.

Main point, ask yourself if you are happy working for the company and would want a close family member to work there as well.

Should I quit my job because of stress?

You should consider quitting your job if it is causing stress, mental health issues, or any other health concerns. At the very least, take a small vacation to see if the stress is reduced upon your return. Your health is more important than any job.

Most jobs will cause a varying degree of stress. Whenever you feel stressed, it’s important to take some time off of work and try to reset. However, sometimes time off is just a bandaid and doesn’t fix a stressful environment.

Take a small vacation if you’re feeling stressed at work. If you’re still feeling stressed when you return, it’s probably a good sign that you need a career change.

Is it worth it to quit my job?

You should consider quitting your job to find work you’re more passionate about. A career takes the majority of your adult life, so you should earn a living on your own terms. Don’t be afraid to quit your job because of other people’s opinions.

Here’s a video from Gary Vaynerchuk on why you should quit your job. Sometimes it’s ok to take a step back, so you can take a step forward for the rest of your life.

What to do if you hate your job but can’t quit?

Identify why you can’t quit a job you hate and remove the obstacles preventing you from quitting. There are always reasons why you shouldn’t quit your job, but there is always a solution. You can always get another job if your plan doesn’t work out.

For example, most of us won’t quit another job because we are scared about having money in-between jobs. Paying rent might be the main issue, so you need to determine how to pay rent or reduce your rent. Instead, you might crash with a friend or purchase a small camper to live in.

How do I tell my boss I’m quitting?

The best time to tell your boss you’re quitting is on a Friday, right before the weekend. Tell your boss that you would like to give your two weeks notice and keep it brief and positive. Hand over your letter of resignation and your company will start processing your outboarding.

Do I need to give two weeks notice?

You are not required to give a two weeks notice, but it is considered standard practice in the United States. However, some employers may ask you to stay on for two weeks if you quit immediately.

Personally, I feel that giving two weeks notice is adequate and can help you stay on good terms with the company. You’ll never know if you will end up working with someone else in the future, so it’s best to leave on good terms.

Some companies may try to adjust your end date or decide to let you go after giving two weeks notice. Termination upon giving two weeks is rare, but some companies may decide to do so. 

However, when a company adjusts your end date, you should be eligible for unemployment. This is because your employer has now taken control of your end date, not you. Check with your unemployment office if this happens.

Briefly tell your boss without negativity

The best time to tell your boss you’re quitting is on a Friday, when everyone is relaxed and ready for the weekend. Mondays are often too stressful and an employee leaving is one more stressor. Tell your boss you are quitting, keeping it brief and positive.

Hand over a letter of resignation

Not all companies will require a letter of resignation, but it is good practice. A letter of resignation informs your employer in writing that you intend to resign.

What to do after quitting your job

After quitting your job, take some time to yourself and determine what you want to do next in your life. You may decide to travel, start a business, volunteer, or do something productive with your time. After a sufficient amount of time, revamp your resume and start applying for a new job or career.

Can you get unemployment if you resign?

In some cases, you can get unemployment if you resign, but every state has different laws when it comes to unemployment. For example, you might get unemployment if your employer terminates your employment, disability, loss of a family member, or other good faith reasons.

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Summary: How to quit a job you hate so badly

As you can see, you should consider quitting a job you hate so badly. You spend a lot of time working, so it’s important to find a career you’re passionate about. Just make sure you have a plan in place to live in-between jobs and to support yourself financially.

There are many reasons to quit your job. Primarily, any negative health concern or stress, unfulfilling work, poor compensation or management, or a lack of desire to perform your job is a good reason to quit. Ask yourself if you would recommend the job to a close family member.

People often feel like they can’t quit their job. Identify why you feel that you can’t quit and come up with a solution. You might need to save some money or reduce your expenses to allow yourself to quit.

Quitting your job doesn’t have to be complicated. Simply tell your boss on a Friday that you would like to put in your two weeks notice. Hand over your letter of resignation and you’ll be free in two weeks. Not all companies will require a two weeks notice or letter of resignation, but it’s good practice.

Once you’ve quit, enjoy some time to yourself. Identify what’s next in your life and take steps towards achieving it. Don’t spend too much time unemployed so you don’t negatively impact your retirement.

John is the founder of TightFist Finance and an expert in the field of personal finance. John has studied personal finance for over 10 years and has used his knowledge to pay down debt, grow his investment portfolio, and launch a financial based business. He is committed to sharing content related to personal finance based on his experience in his career, investing, and path towards reaching financial independence.