How to know When It’s Time to Quit Your Job

I’m not sure about you, but I’ve heard most of my life, quitting means you’re giving up.

In many cases, quitting has a derogatory meaning attached to it.

I’d also go out on a limb and say; you’ve probably quit something at some point. I have, a lot of times, sometimes for good reasons and sometimes I didn’t really have a great reason.

Depdning on where you are in your life, quitting a job can have massive consequences. If you’ve clicked on this article looking for help because you’re thinking about quitting your job, you’ve come to the right place.

We’re going to take a hard look at quitting and if it’s the right thing for you. I’m going to lay out a few signs you should look for that might signal it’s time for you to quit your job.

What You’ll Get After Reading This Article:

1. Understanding what quitting really is.

2. Signs, it’s time to quit your job.

3. How to come up with an action plan if you’re going to quit your job.

What Quitting Really Is

According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, the verb "quit" is defined as:

to leave or depart from — quit the job
to cease normal, expected, or required activity — quit smoking
to give up or resign from — quit a position.

Now that it’s laid out in front of you, let’s help you try and understand why you want to quit your job:

-Are you feeling pressure from someone to quit?

-Are you feeling financial stress to quit?

-Are you actually making the decision that you want to quit?

Before you make any moves, you really need to understand where the feeling comes from. IN today’s would, there can be a number of reasons why you’d want to quit your job, but SHOULD you quit your job is the more important question.

Think about the risks, the rewards and everything in between before you decide to quit. If you don’t have a family to support, quitting a job might be as easy as closing out of this blog post (hopefully after you get to the end).

If you’re a 40-year-old dad of 2 with a mortgage it might not be that easy to just quit because you’re not feeling like working.

Once you’ve come to grips with WHY, then you can look at the signs and reasons that you SHOULD quit your job. Let’s take a look.

Signs You Should Quit Your Job

Before I get into these signs, I should note, in a bad labor market, you should really, really think about quitting your job before you have something else lined up. If you don’t, you should have plenty of money saved up in case you are out of work for months or even years (as scary as that sounds)

Sign #1: Your Workplace is Toxic

I know we’ve heard jokes from “The Office” about toxic work environments, but the only thing toxic about that work environment was when Steve Carrell left, and it got a lot less funny.

Jokes aside, this is one of the most serious ones. Working in a toxic work environment can be a danger to your mental and physical health, and it could derail your long-term career goals.

I don’t like to keep going back to the dictionary, but I think it’s important to know the definition of a toxic workplace, because it’s not when your co-worker microwaves the salmon she had for dinner last night.

Here’s what a real toxic workplace is:

A work environment characterized by dysfunction, poor communication, lack of support, bullying, manipulation, or high levels of stress and burnout — often leading to negative impacts on employees’ mental, emotional, or physical well-being.

If you're Googling how to know when to quit your job, and this definition hits a little too close to home, it might be time to trust your gut. Toxic workplaces don’t just make you miserable — they drain your energy, mess with your confidence, and make you question your worth. That’s not normal, and it’s not sustainable.

The truth is, staying too long in a toxic environment can spill over into other areas of your life — from relationships to sleep to how you show up for future opportunities. If your job is making you anxious on Sunday nights, if you’re being mistreated, or if your boundaries are constantly being pushed, those are red flags you shouldn’t ignore. Pay attention to your stress signals. This may be the clearest answer yet to the question: how to know when to quit your job.

Sign #2: Your Constantly Feeling Burnout

No one wants to feel burned out at work, but the fact is, it’s extremely common. But, what’s the difference between the occasional days or maybe week of feeling burnout and constant debilitating burnout? Well, only you can answer that question.

You know when enough is enough and if you don’t you should. Here are a few signs you might be so burntout you might want to consider quitting:

1. Having anxiety attacks or mental breakdowns frequently.

2. Feeling unusually tired all the time.

3. Not having the energy to eat properly or exercise.

If you’re feeling more than one of these, you might want to re-think your career path at your current job. Again, it’s important not to do anything rash and have a plan, so don’t walk into work and quit based off this article. If you are feeling burned out, it’s important to talk with a professional before you make any life-changing career moves.

Sign #3: You Are Staying Because of Fear of Leaving

The fear of leaving your current situation is not a reason to stay. It’s never a reason to stay. Now, I understand if you are the guy or girl with a family and kids to support.

That doesn’t mean you have signed yourself up for a life sentence at a job you hate. Also if you do hate your job, check out this blog about what to do if you hate your job. It could give you some helpful tips on what to do.

Anyway, the fear of staying at a job can actually ruin your career. Here’s an example.

Let’s say you’re an aspiring Commmunications Director and you tried to get your foot in the door at the company by taking a role in Risk Management. You find out, the company has gone into a hiring freeze a little after you started, and the Comms department won’t be hiring any time soon.

You hate this job in Risk Management, but you’re afraid if you leave, you’ll lose your shot. So you wait for years, and you’re still in Risk Management. Now you have a lot of experience in Risk Management and none in Comms, all because you were too afraid to leave to find other opportunities.

In the job market, time is on your side sometimes, but it can also work against you. Making moves in fear is never a good thing, so staying in a job because you are afraid to quit is never a good thing, no matter what the circumstance.

Sign #4: You’ve Gotten a Better Offer from Somewhere Else

This might be the most obvious one on the list, but it still needs to be said. If you’ve received a job offer from another company that better aligns with your goals, offers more flexibility, pays better, or simply excites you more, then that might be the answer to how to know when to quit your job.

Better opportunities don’t come around every day, and if you’re feeling hesitant because of loyalty, fear, or guilt, remind yourself that your career is your responsibility. You are not obligated to stay anywhere that no longer serves you or your future.

This doesn’t mean jumping ship at the first offer. Do your due diligence. Consider company culture, growth potential, management style, and benefits. But once you know it’s right? Give your notice, thank your current team for the experience, and take the leap.

Sign #5: You’ve Outgrown the Role

Growth is a natural part of any career, and staying in a role that no longer challenges or inspires you can become stagnant. If you’re doing the same tasks, you were doing two or three years ago with little to no increase in responsibility or learning opportunities, that’s a sign you might have outgrown your job.

Maybe you’ve asked for more responsibility or tried to take initiative but haven't been supported. Maybe promotions and raises are going to everyone else but you. If you're constantly growing and evolving while your job stays the same, it's probably time to move on.

Again, it comes back to how to know when to quit your job: if you feel like you're stuck, overlooked, or underutilized, it might be time to seek out a role that actually matches the person you’ve become.

What To Do Before You Quit Your Job

Now that we’ve walked through some of the clearest signs it’s time to go, let’s talk strategy. Because quitting without a plan is like walking into a snowstorm in a t-shirt — probably not your best move.

Start Lining Something Else Up
If you can, don’t quit without having something else in the works. That could mean applying for new jobs, reaching out to your network, or even freelancing or consulting to bridge the gap. The answer to how to know when to quit your job should include "when I have a runway."
Get Your Finances in Order
Look at your monthly expenses and figure out how long you can go without a paycheck. If you don’t already have a rainy-day fund, try to save up at least 3-6 months of expenses. It’s not always possible, but it’ll make your transition a whole lot less stressful.
Update Your Resume and LinkedIn
Before giving notice, make sure your professional profiles are polished and up to date. Ask for LinkedIn recommendations, pull metrics on your accomplishments, and get clear on what you want in your next role.
Set a Timeline
Even if you’re not ready to leave today, give yourself a timeline. Are you going to be out in 3 months? 6 months? Giving yourself a deadline creates momentum and prevents you from drifting in the same miserable place for years.
Talk to Someone You Trust
Quitting can be emotional and confusing. Talk to a mentor, career coach, or therapist to process your thoughts and get an outside perspective. Sometimes just saying it out loud helps you realize what you already know.

How to Know When to Quit Your Job: Final Thoughts

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how to know when to quit your job. But if you feel anxious all the time, if the culture is toxic, if you're constantly burned out, afraid to leave, or just bored and unchallenged, those are all valid signs.

Quitting isn’t giving up. Quitting is an act of self-respect when the situation no longer serves you. It’s a step forward — even if it feels like a step back for a moment.

Your career is a long game. A single job doesn’t define you. But staying in a bad one for too long? That might.

Take care of yourself. Make a plan. And when the time is right, give yourself permission to walk away.

Still unsure if now is the time to quit? Check out my post on What to Do When You Hate Your Job for practical strategies to get through the day-to-day or map your exit strategy.

Want help figuring out your next move? Sign up for 1:1 coaching or grab my free guide on how to transition into your next role with confidence — all at yourcareerstrategy.com.