When to Quit: How Soon is Too Soon?

A friend of mine recently landed a coveted position at a well-known company. It's a dream job for people in his industry. The only problem is that my friend hates his job. According to him, it's not challenging and it's too narrow-focused. He is very unhappy, and wanted my advice on whether he should quit, even though it has only been three months since he took the position. Should he stay at the world-renowned firm, or wait and find work elsewhere while he is still employed?Unfortunately, this is a quandary that many people are familiar with. Either the expectations of what a job or employer will deliver are unrealistic, or the position's responsibilities have evolved from the time you interview to the time you join the company. Regardless, quitting is a personal decision that requires much reflection and planning. Before you make the decision, ask yourself: Have you explored opportunities to expand your current role? Is your employer open to giving you greater responsibilities? Are there other positions within the company that may be available to you?

If none of these circumstances applies to your situation, ask yourself: What is it you really want to do for work? What is the next step you can take to achieve that goal? Are you prepared to take that next step now?

Although my friend had met with his supervisor to discuss expanding his role at the company, there are no options available to him at this time. He is now actively searching for other job opportunities within his industry. At this point, he cannot leave his job without first lining up another position, because he cannot afford to lose his income and health insurance. Although he has decided that the world-renowned firm does not provide a good fit with his career goals, he is hoping that the well-known company name will help his updated resume stand out in the hands of prospective employers.

Before you quit, take a few steps of planning to prepare yourself for your next career jump. Some items you may want to consider include:

Health insurance: Have you made plans to have health insurance once you leave your job?

Savings: Do you have enough money saved up for a possibly long job search?

Job search: Have you thought about what your next career move should be, other than just looking for any other job?

Network: Have you called your former colleagues, associates, and other business workers to let them know that you're on the market for a new position?

When making your announcement to your boss, maintain your professionalism and be diplomatic when explaining the reasons for your departure. Don't damage your reputation by letting any personal emotions or frustrations cloud your departure.

Keep in mind that quitting a position, when done correctly, can be a positive experience-one that opens more doors than it closes.