Last week, we published an article about why it's important to stick it out during your first job. But this doesn't always work for everyone, so we wanted to explore the other side: why you should quit your job.
When I started my first job out of college, I was warned about the pitfalls of job hopping. They told me that moving on after a year or less would make me look "flaky" to future employees. I was determined to stay at my first job for a least two years, and then reassess.
Three months after my start date, I was gone.
I had a new job lined up and have been there for almost three years. My brief stint at my first job was only brought up once during the interview process and hasn't negatively affected me since.
Before I go on, I want to also say that most industries are actually pretty small, and word gets around fast. If you left quickly, but for good reason, I don't believe your career will be affected. If you left because you worked at a law firm and didn't like that you needed to wear a suit, well…I can't help you.
But here are some legitimate reasons to leave before your two or three year anniversary with an employer.
1. You don't have a mentor.
One of the most legitimate reasons to quit a job is that you immediately realize you don't have a mentor or someone who will advocate for you. If you're in your chosen field (as I was), but don't see any way to advance or learn (as I did) then you should definitely quit. There's no reason to languish away at a job where you won't grow professionally.
Penelope Trunk, founder of Brazen Careerist, agrees. "If there's no potential for you to have a mentor at your current job [you should leave]. A mentor is someone who ensures that you get interesting projects that will help your career. And a mentor genuinely cares about your success. No matter what you're getting paid, if you can't find that at your job, you should leave."
2. You're sick.
We read all the time how sitting down 40 hours a week is killing us. If you start a job, are being overworked, and your quality of life is suffering—try to talk to your boss about scaling back. If that doesn't work, then quit. You can't put a price on your health and mental happiness. Trunk agrees. "Burnout doesn't come from working too many hours. It comes from doing work that's completely wrong for us. If you're feeling depressed or sick or unable to think straight, these are signs that your job is killing you."
3. Your company is unethical.
"It's impossible to be our best selves if we feel we're being asked to participate in activities we don't think are ethical. And it's also scary," Trunk says. If you find yourself in the middle of a situation where you feel uncomfortable, dishonest, or taken advantage of, then you should leave and find a workplace that respects you and your values.
Be careful…it's not all about the money
Everyone feels like they should be compensated more for the work that they do, but be careful that you're not job hopping just for a bump in your salary. There's a high transaction cost associated with leaving a job: You need to put in notice, switch healthcare, figure out your new commute, and there's no guarantee that you'll fit in at your new workplace. Plus, jumping ship early when you have less than five years of experience will still make you an entry-level employee in the eyes of management. Is it really worth leaving an otherwise great job for a $5,000 pay increase?
"A career is long term, low pay is temporary. A good mentor or a good title are worth way more to you long term than a pay increase," Trunk reminds.
But if you take one thing away let it be this: Don't quit a job unless you have your next job lined up. It's harder to find a job when you're unemployed than when you're employed, so always have a smart exit strategy.
