11 Tips How To Leave A Job You Hate

11 Tips How To Leave A Job You Hate

Here’s how to leave a job you hate while being professional and polite.

1. Do an exit interview

Some companies conduct exit interviews with departing employees. If your company requests the interview, consider accepting it. In the other case, you can request it yourself. The exit interviews are conducted by HR or a third-party company. In it, you tell your reasons for leaving a job. 

It’s essential to keep your emotions in control and make a positive conversation as this interview might be shared with your boss. An exit interview gives you an opportunity to end the job you hate on a positive note. You can appreciate what you like about the company and offer honest feedback on the company’s improvements. 

2. Plan ahead to prepare to leave

After you have made a decision to leave, try to stay for a few weeks. During this time, plan to reenter the job market. Update all your professional networking files, especially Linkedin, with your new achievements, skills, experiences, and initiatives. Join groups on Linkedin related to your job and connect with recruiters. 

Moreover, update your resume and cover letter using the recent information. Start saving work samples to build your portfolio. Prepare all these things before leaving so you can quit the job without stress.

Also Read: How To Be Happy Again, 10 Steps To Do It

3. Update your records 

Update all your records and files before you go. These updates include accounts’ passwords that other employees will have to use, customer records, handbooks, training manuals, and customer relationship management software. Besides, reset your computer to its original state. Ask your supervisor or office manager about cleaning files, passwords, bookmarks, folders, and other data. 

4. Continue to be productive and complete unfinished tasks

As you are ready to leave a job you hate, don’t adopt a soaring attitude and perform less work. It is not professional to juggle your existing responsibilities in the hassle of looking for new career opportunities. Wrap up unfinished tasks of your projects before leaving. If you’ve incomplete tasks and have no time to do them, leave detailed instructions on handling them. 

5. Make financial arrangements

Once you have decided to leave the job, ensure you are financially prepared for unemployment. Keep in mind that you won’t have a regular income for a while. Therefore, developing a solid financial strategy is crucial until you have a stable income. 

According to financial experts, you should have at least three to six months of living expenses saved up before leaving a job. That way, you will be able to look for the job of your dreams without any money stress. 

6. Mention resignation to your boss in person

It is best to inform your boss in person about your resignation when possible. It is a proper, courteous, and professional way to conduct yourself. 

Also Read: 7 Traits Of Leadership And What Do Leadership Means

7. Give a two-week notice period

When you want to leave your job, it is usual to give two weeks’ notice to your manager or boss. The company contract and union agreement can have different rules. So, check them to ensure you do it properly. Some companies have a different policy for the notice period.

Therefore, you can check HR to know the proper procedure for leaving the job. However, if you are harassed, threatened, feel unsafe at work, and are unable to do the job for two weeks, you can leave the job without giving two week notice period. 

8. Ask for a recommendation letter

If you try to leave your job on good terms, ask for a recommendation letter from supervisors and colleagues right before or after departure. It may feel odd to ask for a recommendation letter right after leaving. But your supervisor will be able to write more details about your work performance and attitude if they write a letter soon.

9. Write a professional letter of resignation

Even though you’ve mentioned your resignation to your boss, the resignation letter is a formality that shows your professionalism. So, you should write a professional resignation letter and send one copy to your boss and another to the HR department. The letter should be positive and in a neutral tone, like your in-person resignation. Also, there is no need to mention extra details about the reasons for leaving the job you hate.

10.  Be brave and get comfy with uncomfortable

Remember, transitions are scary and uncomfortable. New is tough and challenging. Therefore, get comfy with uncomfortable because life begins at the end of your comfort zone. After quitting a job, there will be a rigid routine and challenging time. Keep in mind that staying half of your day at the job you hate is not at all good for your well-being and professional career. So, be brave and ready for change. You deserve to make your time productive and spend it doing the job that fuels your soul and your bank account.  

11. Say goodbye to coworkers

 Lastly, say goodbye to your coworkers by sending friendly goodbye letters or emails. This helps to make a positive departure. If you are leaving due to a problematic coworker, you can send them a simple goodbye message or no message. It is crucial because future employers might check with former coworkers to conduct background checks. Therefore, leaving a job gracefully on a positive note is important.

Final Thoughts

There you have it- 11 tips on how to leave a job you hate. By following these tips, you can ease your way and gracefully quit a job on good terms. Leaving the job can be stressful and daunting, but these tips will make your job transition easy and stress-free. Remember, life is too short to spend our days doing the awful job when we could be doing what we love. 

Job transition gives you the opportunity to pursue higher-paying jobs and work in a positive environment. In addition, doing the job you love allows you to maintain a work-life balance and spend more time with your loved ones. It also improves your health and stress levels because being unhappy at work affects your mental and physical health. So, follow the tips, leave the job you hate, explore new opportunities, and work towards new goals with persistence.If you are struggling to achieve your career goals and face difficulties in your professional life, I’m here to help you focus on the right career direction. As an executive coach, I’ll help you to clarify your career goals and create steps and habits to achieve these goals. Schedule a free discovery session with me, and let me help you own your freedom and build a life of success.