by Dale Dolmo

Created on: December 29, 2009   Last Updated: May 08, 2012

Many of us find ourselves stuck in jobs where we feel personally unhappy or professionally unfulfilled. We count the minutes to quitting time each day, dreaming of walking out and never coming back. How do you know when to quit your dreary job and when to persevere?

How long have you been there?
If you have just started with the company and already feel a sense of dread when you approach your office every day, get out now. Odds are that you will only become less satisfied with the job over time, not more. The good news is that you don't have to worry about abandoning years of seniority and perks that you've worked to build with this company, because you haven't! You can explain to your boss - and future prospective employers - that you found this job to be a bad fit, and that's an argument that makes much more sense if you don't hang around for months and months.

Are the problems likely to be permanent?
If the issues that bug you about your workplace are limited, like a personality conflict with one person, you may be able to find solutions that make it possible for you to stay. If the whole culture of the organization repels you, or you are starting to believe you're in the wrong industry altogether, those are things that are not likely to change. If the problem is going to stay, you should probably go.

What is your financial situation?
Finances can be the single biggest deciding factor for people considering a job change. No matter how bad your job is, or how unhappy you are, you have bills to pay. Do you have enough savings to tide you over until you find a new job? Can you afford to provide for the health insurance and other benefits that may currently be provided by your employer? Are you likely to have big expenses, like home or car repairs, in the near future?

What is the job market like?
No matter how much you hate your job, you should bear it for a while longer if the job market in your area favors employers rather than job seekers. If you quit while there is a large imbalance between the number of people looking for jobs and the number of openings available, you could find yourself missing your old paycheck, if not your old company. Watch the online job boards and talk to people in your industry; if you get the feeling that there aren't many jobs to go around, hang on to the one you've got!

Is it the job, or is it you?
Finally, consider whether what's making you unhappy in your job is really the job itself, or your attitude. Yes, it may be true that your job or the company you work for is really as horrible as you think. On the other hand, it's just possible that you have an unrealistic expectation or two. Maybe you're just starting out in what was supposed to be a glamorous career, and there's a lot of tedious "busy-work" you didn't foresee. Maybe what you think of as the insane culture of this particular company is really just the same old office politics you're going to find anywhere you go. Talk to friends and family members who've had lots of jobs or worked in similar fields to yours to get an idea of what you should be able to expect. You may find that what's in order is an adjustment of your thinking, rather than a change of jobs.

Being unhappy in your job is a tremendous source of stress, and escaping that stress is why leaving such a job is usually worth it. Before you jump ship, however, make sure you've really tried to make the current situation work. Most of all, make sure you know what you'll be jumping into!

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