3 Signs You Should Definitely Quit Your Job

3 Signs You Should Definitely Quit Your Job3 Signs You Should Definitely Quit Your JobSo, youve recently realized that you and your current job just arent a great fit. But youre not quite sure what to do with that realization. Should you quit? Tough it out and try to improve your situation? Coast for now so you can put your energy into finding something better?These questions arent easy, and weighing their endless implications and consequences can be emotionally exhausting.Well, let me settle your mind a bit.There are three situations in which you should definitely quit your job. Not necessarily right away- the details of how and when Ill leave to you. But as for that nagging question of whether or not you should leave, this list will give you some peace of mind about that.If any of the following apply, you can start planning your exit strategy.1. It Just Isnt SustainableIf you find yourself in a situation in which it is emotionally, physically, or mentally draining (or worse) for yo u even to show up to work, let alone get excited and perform at a high level- you need to leave. It might be due to unsupportive co-workers, an unattentive supervisor, a commute that is destroying all of your personal time, or an unfair workload that is impossible to handle. But whatever the cause, realize that professional development and confidence compound over time- so its critical to keep your career momentum moving, rather than getting stuckverzierung in a bad situation.This also includes being systematically underpaid. If you are slowly (but definitively) running out of runway because you have a job that doesnt pay you well enough, you dont want to wait until that runway dissolves entirely, at which point it will be much more difficult to move on.In many situations, there are ways to change these factors- transferring to a new department, picking up a new project, or asking for a raise, for example. But assuming youve tried to make the best of the situation and those attempts havent been successful, dont feel bad about doing what you have to do to take care of yourself.2. It Isnt Furthering Your Professional DevelopmentA job shouldnt just provide you with a paycheck- it should be helping you gain skills, experiences, knowledge, and training that will help youfurther your career. So if you find yourself in a situation in which you are falling unacceptably behind in your professional development, its time to move on.It can be hard to recognize when youre in this situation, but its typically accompanied by a feeling of unmet potential, restlessness, or being stuck. More specifically, a job is not contributing to your professional development if it isnt letting you do at least one of the following things (and ideally several or all of them) Gain new skills, networks, expertise, or certifications by working on new projects. Save money so that you can make further investments in yourself. Invest in yourself directly by paying for your education or professiona l development experiences like conferences, courses, and trainings. Have the time to explore other job duties, organizations, and fields. Build relationships with influential people within and outside of your organization, particularly people who might be in a position to help you get promoted or find another job when the time is right. Receive mentorship from people who are more experienced than you. Find intellectual stimulation in your work. Take risks, so that you have the chance to fail, succeed, and learn from those experiences.Great companies make sure youre able to do all of the above, because they know thats the way to attract and develop top talent. The fewer of these opportunities your job is affording you, the sooner you should be looking to move on.3. Something Else (Way Better) Comes AlongEvery now and then, as youre slogging away at the path youve laid out for yourself, the stars will align and a too-good-to-be-true opportunity will show itself. You wont see it coming , but youll be at a dinner party and someone will turn to you and say Hey, Ive got a friend at Dream Company and hes looking for an XYZ- I feel like youd be perfect And just like that, youre two phone calls and an unofficial bewerberinterview away from an amazing job opportunity.This one sounds like a no-brainer, but Ive seen a lot of people consider passing on these types of opportunities because of fear, loyalty, or self-doubt. But remember At the end of the day, you dont owe your company more than you owe yourself in furthering your own development and growth. If youve been offered a job that will offer you much more in the way of career development, responsibility, or happiness- unless you would be causing catastrophic failure at your current employer- you should take it.Admittedly, these situations arent always as black and white as Ive depicted here. In almost every situation, there is some facet of your job that makes it worth staying at. But be honest with yourself about why youre not happy. And if theres something you want to change or gain- some skill, some side project, something that gives you valuable traits that you didnt have before- dont be afraid to ask for these things. Good managers will appreciate your interest in keeping yourself sharp and growing, and theyll help to get you the right opportunities.And if youve tried, and your organization isnt receptive to your heartfelt requests, take a deep breath and lay your plans. Its time to find something bigger and better.Photo of man courtesy of Unsplash.