Planning to quit your job?

                           

Hello!

If you were actually planning on quitting today & my post popped up, PLEASE DO NOT take it as a sign & go put your papers down even before taking the time to read the complete blog post! :)

Sorry, just had to say that. Some people really believe in Signs. 

Ok. So today the day began as usual, with 10-15 interviews [Mid-Senior Level, Mumbai], first thing in the morning, and there was a constant irking feeling that I had during the entire 3 hours that I was interviewing. WHY ARE THESE PEOPLE QUITTING THEIR JOBS? 

Well, don't get me wrong, the companies I was interviewing them for, are all Biggies, really well known, Great Places to work, with excellent salaries & growth prospects, etc..so it wasn't really a WHY, WHY, WHYYYYY are you quitting your current jobs kind of a WHY. 

It was more like: [Secret thoughts in my head, while interviewing]

1> Hmmmm. This guy's tie is smashing! Why is he quitting his job? [Ha-Ha. I like good ties!]

2> Hmmmmmm, 2nd job in 1.5 years, that will raise a few eyebrows.

3> Hmmmmmmmm. 4 job jumps in 3 years, no relieving documents for one of those 4 places, 2 industry changes. Wow, this dude needs a serious career intervention now. Oh wait, he's interviewing for another industry change. WOW.

4> Hmmm, interesting lady, smart, talented, well educated. Pervert of a Boss harassing her everyday. Can't stay back there, and quitting this job would mean starting from scratch in a new company, where as she's so close to growth in her current company. Would it help if I got her Boss out of that company to someplace else...

5> Relocation case, got married. Has to quit. Ok, not really her fault.

6> 6 years at the job, stable, smart no growth at all in salary? Woah, that sucks. He needs to get out of that company.

And about another 4 more. Which basically were all similar in the sense that they wanted to quit. Not so similar in intentions & motivation behind those moves.

Ok, lets do the Bullet points

I] We will first start with Reasons for wanting to quit [Legit & Acceptable to most Employers.]

1>Reasonable Tenure:  

While job jumps of less than a year or even upto a year & a few months are frowned upon, if you've been with your current employer for a decent number of years [I'd say anywhere between 2.5 years to 5 years], it is acceptable that you look to move on. If there are any previous jobs on your cv, they too have been mostly stable (3-5 years each), then you belong to this category. You are now looking for a more challenging role, better salary hike, bigger brand, more reportees, newer teams, & basically so you don't get into a comfort zone with your old company.
Employers Love You the most.

2> Company is Downsizing or Shutting Operations: 

Factors for leaving an employer which are beyond an employee's control, are often acceptable, especially when the company is completely shutting operations or moving to a new geographical location, the employee cannot relocate to. However, downsizing is further introspected as sometimes companies let go of the dead weight or non performers in the company while cutting costs. Who would let go of high performers at such a crucial time? However, that is not always the case, & sometimes indeed, its just bad luck or bad timing. 
Employers do a reference check here sometimes, but generally may be ok hiring you.

3> Sabbatical Due To Health Issues/  Maternity Leave/Family emergency/Legal Issues: 

I repeat, factors for leaving an employer which are beyond an employee's control, are often acceptable, when put in the right context & are not on a recurrent/continual nature. So your own health, a family member's health, legal issues that need your attention & time both, maternity leave for women, & any miscellaneous family emergencies which take you away from the place of work & which can be explained later to a new employer. However, having such reasons repeat on your cv, might cause credibility issues for you. So pls try your best to ensure if you can handle the situation without quitting your job. Employers may either take it or leave it.

4> Better Work-Life Balance: 

Now this one is slightly controversial because employers generally don't always have the bandwidth for it. However, if your work life is stepping on your personal life's toes, one too many times, where your work hours are extreme & going into late evenings, or night shifts, 14 hour work days & no offs, coupled with travelling, little or no benefits provided by the company, etc etc..they may eventually lead to disruptions as I believe everything is like a domino effect here, health fails, work will eventually fail. Personal life & your work life need to be balanced perfectly. You may be able to successfully use it as a legit reason for looking for another job. But pls don't use this one & say, ''My employer only gives me a 45 min Lunch hour!'' :) Even I don't get that much of time for lunch. 
If the facts are verifiable, & the applicant is strong (skills, experience, academics), Employers may agree provided their own work culture isn't the same as your previous company's. So investigate before quoting this.

II] Reasons to quit that will almost always get you an immediate rejection

1> "I've completed 6 months at my job & they still haven't given me any growth"
Author's Note: It takes atleast 2 years to grow substantially in most cases. Wanting to quit after 6 months shows immaturity, impatience, and unreal expectations. Almost no company would want to be associated with such an employee.

2> "I'm pursuing further studies & need to leave early from work every alternate day"
Author's Note: I think this one is self explanatory. In today's day & age, almost every employee sits back atleast an hour or two after their usual work day ends, wanting to leave early, that too every alternate day? Next!

3> "I'd like to quit my job as I am looking for a higher paying job, so I can invest my earnings into a business sometime in the future"
Author's Note: As lovely as that would sound to any employer, that you only wish to work there for just a little while, make a lot of money, & possibly leave with/without company data to start your own company, most Employers would say, "No, Thank you!" 

4> "I'm looking to quit my current company because the work there doesn't interest me, I'm not a 100% sure of what I want to do."
Author's Note: That guy you should be saying this to is called a career counsellor, not a prospective Employer! Employers look for applicants who have a clear thought process & will be stable at their company for a decent number of years. If you don't know what you want to do, pls ensure you do first, & then interview.

Coming Next: Checklist for Giving a Great Interview.

Regards,

Neha Asthana
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheNehaAsthana
Email: careerconnect.neha@gmail.com
Mumbai | India