202205231130 Knowing when to leave

How do we know when it's time to leave a job?

Signs to watch for

Growth

• You're no longer growing personally
• You're no longer growing professionally
• There are no opportunities for career growth
• You're underutilizing your skills or being underutilized
• You can’t picture yourself there long-term

Purpose

• You're not passionate about what you're doing
• Your values aren't aligned with your organization

Achievement

• You're perpetually procrastinating
• Your job is negatively affecting your confidence. E.g. you start struggling to 202110212231 Differentiate between self-doubt and idea-doubt.
• You already achieved what you set out to achieve

Burnout

• Everything feels overwhelming
• You need better work-life balance
• You feel exhausted, burnt-out, or dread working
• You actively look for ways to avoid your job

Toxicity

• It’s causing you to develop bad habits
• You wouldn’t want your friends to work there
• You're learning coping mechanisms instead of skills
• There are major issues with your boss
• Your workplace/environment is unhealthy
• Your ethics are being compromised

Business

• You're grossly under-compensated
• The company's future is in question
• You are no longer able to fulfill your job responsibilities
• There are substantially better opportunities elsewhere

Self-selection bonus: if you're making a list like this or reading advice about this topic, it's probably time to go.

Leaving

• Make sure you leave after equity vesting (e.g. day of month)
• Make sure you leave closer to the beginning of the year so that you don't miss out on bonus payments with prorated awards.