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In my more than 25 years in management, I believe I've heard and seen all the bad reasons for quitting jobs. When my own career involved job hopping, I've made every attempt to find the good reason. Now long retired, I can't think of any of my resignations that resulted in backlash that hurt my future. Maybe it was just luck, but on the other hand, I can remember many instances when people quit working for me for all the bad reasons.

Here are a few ideas I can hope will help people today who are looking at that goodbye job door with the intent to dash through it. Not so fast! Just take a bit of time to consider all the implications. You may even think of that old adage your school coach always blabbed: A quitter never wins; a winner never quits.

1. Don't quit when visibly angry. After something happens that makes you think you want to quit, go back to a quiet spot and think the whole situation out carefully. Then, whatever your choice, make it with a clear mind.

2. Don't quit until you've had a discussion with the boss. Your reason may be misplaced, a misunderstanding or because you're just generally fed up with the job. Don't ever tell the boss you're about to quit unless you have another job definitely lined up. Ask for a sit-down to talk over your concerns and frustrations.

If it is money and/or promotion, don't be afraid to tell it right out front. If your anger is because you've been doing a great job and you feel you deserve financial recognition, you never know when a simple statement can get you what you want. And, who knows, the new money may improve your job so much that the new job doesn't look that attractive anymore.

3. Before you even make the hard decision to quit, discuss your situation with someone you can trust. In most cases it should NOT be someone at the same company, but talk it all over with your spouse, sibling, school guidance counselor, clergyman or other person who has your best interests at heart. You may find your reasons for quitting are totally invalid or based on one emotional incident that will pass and be forgotten.

4. Never quit with a final gesture of bad-mouthing your boss, or worse, with acts of deliberate sabotage. Tantrums that involve throwing furniture or tearing up papers are the actions of a small, out-of-control child. Your little soul may feel good about it, but the story of your tirade will follow you when you're starting a new job or prospecting out in the job market.

5. If you're considering quitting and have a new job offer, that's a good situation. However, before you hand in that resignation letter, consider all aspects of both jobs. What about promotion possibilities, salary track and other benefits. Maybe most important: how will your family will be affected if the new job's location is far away from the old one. If you may have to move to a new community, consider home values, schools and other important social and economic factors.

Quitting a job is always a chancy move, and it should be done for intelligent, solid reasons. The decision should never be a snap one ... or when your temper has snapped ... but after careful consideration.

Learn more about this author, Ted Sherman.
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