Whether you are just dreaming about leaving your job or have already made a firm decision to seek a new position, here are some things to consider if you are thinking of leaving your job.
All of us have considered leaving our current job at one time or another. We wonder if we can find something more rewarding, more exciting, more profitable and less stressful. Sometimes our work environment is so toxic that we must leave our current position for our own health.

Whether you are just dreaming about leaving your job or have already made a firm decision to seek a new position, here are some things to consider if you are thinking of leaving your job.

Realize that this is a personal decision: You have lots of factors to consider when making a decision about your leaving your current job. The first thing to get clear on is what course of action your heart and your gut are telling you to take. Before you get input from others, check in with yourself and find out what you really want to do.

Take a realistic look at your current situation: Ask yourself these questions:

* Why do I want to quit?

* What possibilities do I have for getting a new job?

* Do I want to change careers or just change employers?

* How is my current job affecting my health, and personal life?

* Are there any opportunities available in my company but in another department?

* How much time will my financial reserves give me to find another job?

* What effects will the economy and local job market have on my search?

* Am I willing to relocate?

After you have answered those questions, get support from others: You are getting ready to make a very big decision so take some time to build a support team. Include family, friends, mentors, anyone you trust who can provide you with a sounding board, encouragement, and help you to look at all your options. Many people benefit from consulting with a career coach at this step.

Make a list of all of your options and possibilities: Have your support team help you look at all the possibilities that are available to you. Asking several people will give you a wide range of viewpoints and options. Explore opportunities with your current employer, in the same job category, and options in careers that are similar to what you are currently doing. Part time, contract, and temporary employment options should also be considered. Will you look for a transition job to keep food on the table during your job search, or will you look for permanent position?

Create an inventory of your marketable skills: What can you bring to your next position? What current skills do you have that you can leverage into your next job? Do you need to add more skills through training, reading, self-study, or classes? Decide to decide: By now you are probably getting tired of all this introspection and are ready to make a decision. Make your decision based on the facts about yourself, your situation, and your skills. Hasty decisions made on the basis of emotion often are regretted. You want to make your employment decisions as rationally and logically as you can. Then, once you have decided on a course of action that feels right to you, reward yourself for all the thought and effort you put into the decision making process. Feel good about making the very best decision that you could possibly make and commit to moving forward.

Make a plan: Whether you have decided to leave your current job or remain with it, going through this decision making process has given you new insight and information about yourself. Based on that new information, what do you want to do next?

If you are resigning, here are a few things to consider:

* When to resign

* How to make the process as painless as possible for everyone involved

* What relationships you want to continue

* Who can you ask to be a future reference resource?

* Do you have documentation of all training courses you took at the company?

* Do you have copies of your previous evaluations?

* Do you have copies of any awards or commendation letters?

* Are there any important dates to consider before resigning?

Making a decision to change jobs can be very stressful. However, it can also be very exciting to discover all the ways you add value to the market place. The most important part of this process is to give yourself the information, time, and support you need to make a decision that you feel good about.

About the Author

Lynne Klippel is a certified coach and an occupational therapist. Lynne has a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in occupational therapy. She holds several coaching certifications, completing post-graduate training at Comprehensive Coaching University. She provides coaching services to individuals and corporations by inspiring greatness, creating opportunities, and celebrating success. Her passion is helping people grow and overcome challenges.