×
The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.
  • Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
  • The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
  • P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
  • Email: [email protected]

Things you should consider before quitting your job

Career Tips
 Have a plan before quitting your job (Shutterstock)

When considering to quit your job, the grass always seems greener on the other side. Your current boss is probably breathing down your neck giving you hell every day. Waking up every morning seems to be getting harder, not to mention all the family time you miss from overtime duties.

The odds seem to be in your favour and all around you, friends and probably former colleagues give you a ray of hope as they are doing fine after leaving their jobs and you are wondering what could go wrong?

Well, there are a number of things that could go wrong, without a proper plan and you impulsively quit your job, you could find yourself in an irreversible financial pit. To say nothing of the bridges you would have burned while at it.

Before quitting your current job, here are some things you should consider:

Determine your reasons for quitting

Before laying down your tools and hitting the road, talk to yourself. Remind yourself why you are really quitting your and job if possible see someone. Determine whether the issues you have can be handled by a third party or not. Is your current job affecting your health or do you want to start your own business?

Everything has a basis, once you determine what is driving you to quit your job, you will be in a better position to handle everything that will come your way.

Have a plan

The first step is to ensure you have a plan, do not quit your job at the heat of the moment. Probably you can’t stand all the pressure or your boss is too nagging. Once you have ensured your reasons for quitting your job are valid and that you have enough money to take you through the transition. Maybe then you can go for it.

Whether you are getting into a marriage, motherhood or hoping for a job change, always ensure the money in your account is enough to take you through 6-12 months.

Calculate your living expense and be sure you can handle the transition. Remember once you quit your job, money will be going out with none will be coming in.

Know the job market

It is important to research and learn about the job market you want to dive into. You might be in a hurry to drop your current job and start something new everyone is talking about but have you considered how viable it is? Explore your options and consult as much as possible.

Changing jobs and transitioning to another chapter of your life can be very challenging, you need to know exactly what you are getting yourself into before going through with your decision.

Have a backup plan

Once you quit your job, there is no turning back. Don’t be content by the money you have in your account whether it is enough to take you a whole year. Things always come up and money will always find use and go way beyond your budget. While you plan yourself or  transition to another phase of your career, find something easy to generate cash flow.

This way you can have your plans rolling  while smaller things like food and basic needs are still catered for. Furthermore, even if things don’t go as planned, you can always have somewhere to fall back to when waiting.

Expect the unexpected

Last but not least, always expect the unexpected. Even the best laid plans fail, things happen and you should not be thrown off by this or rethink your decision. Without a steady income, it’s going to be hard to cater for unexpected costs in addition to your basic living expenses. That’s why you will need to have an emergency fund, from which you can cater for the extra costs.

An emergency fund should have another six months’ worth of living expenses in it, which is why before quitting you need to have budgeted for at least one year in advance.

Would you rather see the future or change the past?

Related Topics