How to Leave a Job You Hate

As bad as the job is, you want to quit in a professional manner. (shisu_ka/Shutterstock)

You spend at least eight hours a day at your job. That’s a long time to commit, especially if you hate your job. Not all jobs are a good fit. And if you really hate your employment, it can wear on your mental health.

As bad as the job is, you want to quit in a professional manner. But how do you walk out the door on a job that’s not working?

Know Why You Want to Quit

Take the time to think about why you want to quit. Why do you dislike your job so much?

Some people arrive at a new job and discover it doesn’t align with their career goals. They become frustrated, realizing they’re on the wrong track, and dislike their current situation. Others discover the commute is too long and dread making it daily.

Others don’t like the work/life balance, or they feel there’s too much stress. Both reasons could affect your mental health.

Identifying why you hate your job may help you find a way to like or even love it. But if it just doesn’t work, don’t be reckless in the manner you quit.

Don’t Be Reckless

If you don’t think you can make an effort to stay. Make a pros and cons list to be absolutely sure you need to leave your job. If you’ve just had a bad day, this doesn’t warrant walking into the office the next day with a resignation letter.

But a chronic pattern of bad days may be a red flag.

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If you are considering resigning, don’t tell your manager this. It will hang over both of your heads. Your boss will wonder if you’re truly committed to the company while they’re waiting for you to decide whether you want to stay or go.

It’s also a bad plan just to quit and walk out the door, or, even worse, “ghost” your boss. Remember, regardless of how you feel about the job, you still want a decent letter of recommendation.

Create a Plan Before Quitting

Don’t quit until you have a plan in place. Start by updating your LinkedIn page. Most potential employers check LinkedIn to see if your experience matches your resume. An updated LinkedIn page announces professionalism.

Check your social media. Is there anything that shines a bad light on you. Take that beer-guzzling picture from your tropical vacation down. And make sure you have a professional profile picture.

Build a new resume that shows your current job. But be ready to customize it for prospective employers.

Check your finances if you’re leaving your current employment without another job. Do you have at least six months of funds to cover your expenses? Don’t quit and put yourself in a situation that could ultimately harm you financially.

Give Resignation to Boss

Don’t tell your co-workers you are quitting before you disclose to your manager. This is unprofessional and just tacky. It’s a sure way to lose that letter of recommendation.

Write a resignation letter. Keep it light and positive. Thank your boss for all the “considerations” she has given you. Keep the letter brief. You want to avoid going into details about why you’re quitting.

Take your letter into the manager’s office and tell her you are resigning before you present the letter. Once more, keep it light and brief. If asked why you are leaving, be vague. It could be a “personal reason” or to pursue other “opportunities.”

If something illegal has been going on, like sexual harassment, let the manager or the human resource department know.

Provide adequate notice. Two weeks is standard. But check your employee handbook to ensure the company has no other requirements.

If your boss asks you to stay longer, that’s up to you if you can tolerate working longer in the office environment. If you have another job lined up, it’s unfair to the new employer to stay for an old boss.

Remember to do everything possible to make this a non-combative situation. You want to leave on a good note so your boss will write you that recommendation.

Finish All Projects or Leave Notes

Although you may just want to run out the door, slacking off isn’t an option. You must finish any outstanding projects. Or if that’s not possible, leave clear notes and instructions. This dovetails on quitting your job on a positive note.

Offer to help with the transition. You might want to train your replacement if it’s an internal employee taking your place.

Do everything you can to be helpful. You may want out quickly, but this is a professional way to say goodbye.

Don’t Gossip or Bad Mouth Company

Say goodbye to your co-workers after you’ve told your boss. Resist the urge to tell them why you’re leaving. Gather key employees’ contact information. It could be helpful in the future.

Don’t go on social media and tell the world you left your old job because you hated it. And, certainly, don’t tell them about any problems. Remember, future employers will check your social media.

Be Professional to the End

Although you may want to escape a bad situation, leave your employer on a positive note if there isn’t anything illegal going on.

The business world is small, and your boss today may end up with another company tomorrow. It would be disastrous to have an interview with a former boss at a new company if he remembers you as unprofessional.

The Epoch Times copyright © 2023. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. The Epoch Times does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. The Epoch Times holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.