Dear Dr. Karen,
When should you leave a job?
Needing to grow, USA

 Think of your job as a pain vs. gain equation.  If the pain is bad enough you have to ease it or make it go away. 

 The most common  cause is your boss. The number one reason people, worldwide, leave a job is the boss.  So what can you do?

• Learn to live with this boss by learning how they like to think and communicate.  Is he or she buttoned down, wanting everything just right?  And you’re a go- with- the- flow and loose kind of person? Make those lists, check them twice, and respond in an ordered way at every meeting and give him or her a written agenda.  Whatever you try, after a few tries ask for feedback.  Believe it or not, this is a great opportunity to learn. Sometimes the feedback is the puzzled look you get.  Sometimes it’s a subtle change in behavior.

• Whether you think that anything has changed for the better, or not, thank him or her for his or her guidance.

• Let the Human Resources know that this may not be the job for you but that you’d like to do something else in the company which you like and admire.  Stay neutral about the situation and don’t complain.   It’s just not working out to our “mutual satisfaction.”

• Let your network know that you are looking for a new challenge without badmouthing your current boss.  You really don’t want to burn any bridges.  You just want to leave.  The higher the level of the job the longer it takes to find a new one.  For entry-level it can a few weeks.  For senior-level it can take six months or more. 

• It’s easier to get a job if you have a job.  If you feel you can’t stay where you are then find part-time work or create consulting work until you get the next job.  It’s vital to be doing something constructive when you go for that job interview.

What did you think of this article? Dr. Karen would love to here your feedback!