Leaving Your Job Career Planning Self Evaluation Career Exploration Choosing a Career Education & Training Job Search Résumé Cover Letters Job Search Interviews Career Maintenance Keeping Your Job Leaving Your Job Seeking A Raise Consider This First There are many pros and cons when it comes quitting your job. Everyone's situation will differ. Carefully consider this information on quitting outright and looking for work while still employed before making a final decision. Quitting Outright - If you quit, you will lose a job reference and any discussion of your work history immediately becomes more complicated. If you believe you are going to be fired for poor performance, quitting may be easier to explain to another employer than being fired. Always be prepared to answer questions about why you quit or were fired. - The longer you are out of work, the more another employer may question your motivation or competence. - If you quit without having another job arranged, you may wind up accepting equally unsatisfying work just to ensure you have money. - Quitting means you are not eligible to collect Employment Insurance benefits. Work Searches While Employed - If your boss has been supportive of others changing work in the past be up front about your job search and ensure she knows you will continue to be a contributing member of the team until you leave. - If your boss has not been supportive of others changing work, or you are unsure of her reaction, use your judgement. You may be best to keep word of your plans quiet, you never know who hears what. If word leaks and the boss isn't happy, be prepared for a hostile reaction and the possibility of being without this job sooner than planned. - If possible, try scheduling job interviews for for an evening, a day off, over the lunch hour, or on a weekend. - If you must take time from your current work for an interview, try to arrange to make up the time later in the day or week. Be cautious. If you don't normally dress for success at work, don't start now as this may raise suspicion. Change elsewhere. Don't over-use sick time either. - If you stay at your current job while looking for another, you are potentially in a better position to negotiate a higher wage or salary because you will still have a regular income. General Considerations - Company equipment such as computers and photocopiers, and company time should NOT be used to write cover letters and resumes. Do not have potential employers call at your current place of work and do not use your work e-mail address. (If you are between 15 and 24 the Calgary Youth Employment Centre offers these services for free.) - If your work is causing undo stress and affecting your health, you may be better off quitting. But keep motivated to begin a new work search. - If you believe you were wrongfully fired contact the provincial government.