The prospect of leaving your job and setting sail on a new path can be both liberating and scary.  But, instead of being impulsive, it’s best to take a deep breath and weigh all of the pros and cons so that you’re 100 percent sure that you’re ready (or at least willing) to take this leap.

With that said, I have compiled several questions that you should ask yourself before you start down the road of leaving your current job and hand in a letter of resignation.  
​Please take the time to think about your answers and be honest with yourself on what your goals are. 

Questions to ask & answer before quitting your job.

Please remember to hit the SUBMIT button at the end of this survey.  
Your answers are confidential and will never be shared with anyone.  Ever.
    #1)  Have I tried everything to make it work?
    Think about trying to make your current job work before drafting of a letter of resignation.  From having a clear and articulate conversation with your direct boss to coming up with solutions that could improve your state of mind and outlook, to taking on small passion projects that may correlate to your current job or by taking proactive measures illustrates your commitment to your job.  What have you done so far and what avenues can you still explore to make your job more fulfilling and enjoyable?

    Below please list the ways in which you have tried to make your current job/career work and the ways you might explore to make your work situation better.
    #2) Is it them or me?
    Being self-critical is a difficult skill for nearly everyone, at every career level, but in terms of saying goodbye to a job, it is critical. Executive coach and author, Marion E. Brooks challenges employees to dig deep — and be honest — about what is actually happening from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.    “A lot of people think it’s the organization or their boss when it might really be them, because they don’t have the right mindset for the job at hand, the internal/external connections, or they’re not putting in the effort that’s required for the next level,” he explains.

    Before you quit, Brooks says to answer these questions:
    Why are you quitting?  What in your current situation has happened that has convinced you that you've hit an insurmountable obstacle?
    Are you quitting your job, your industry, your co-workers or your boss?
    #3)  Can I afford to quit?
    Are you financially secure to quit?  And if so, how long (months, years) do you have before you find a new job?  
    Please do not include any financial information in your answer (but you should know absolutely know what your     income and expenses are).
    #4)  Is the grass greener in another work environment?   
    You can take this in two directions: emotional and practical.  As one of my career coach mentors Cheryl Palmer notes, it is vital to prioritize your emotional state of happiness, but it also helps to lay out a pro-and-con list that details what your life would actually look like, sans-current-LinkedIn-title.
    “Look at how bad the situation is: if it is damaging your health, that could trump any other consideration. But if that is not the case, then look at other factors that could influence your decision. Sometimes it makes sense to stay where you are for awhile if that is your best option,” Palmer continues. “It’s worthwhile to take a hard look at your employment prospects. Is your skill set marketable so that you could land another comparable position in a relatively short period of time? If not, you could be worse off if you quit before increasing the marketability of your skills.”
    #5)  "I have always dreamed of..."
    Most people have a career that they have dreamed of pursuing (being an actor, owning a restaurant, running a retail business, becoming a teacher, being a writer, etc)  but at what cost?   Before stepping away from a current job to capture or re-capture your dream career, try to pursue them as a side hustle.  Joining a local theater group, picking up a shift at a restaurant/boutique, becoming a substitute teacher or blogging about topics you are passionate about are great ways  to "kick the tires" on that dream career before scrapping the current one.  

    What is your current "dream job" and have you tried to "kick the tires" on that career?
    #6)  What is your timeline?  At what point to you see yourself leaving your current job?
    If you were unable to answer a question, please put NA in the answer field.  
    Please remember to hit the SUBMIT button.

    THANKS!