Should I Quit My Job?

Showing 42 articles

Navigating Company Layoffs: Signs, Tips, and How to Prepare

By Martina Mascali, Monster Contributor

If you’ve landed here, chances are you’re worried about the dreaded “L” word: layoffs. Whether you’ve heard whispers around the office or want to be proactive about your career, understanding company layoffs can be a game-changer. In this article, we’ll break down what company layoffs are, why they happen, and how companies decide who gets the axe...

Is it Better to Quit or Be Fired?

By Monster Staff

The signs are there: Your job may be on the line, and you’re wondering whether to walk away before you’re pushed out. Maybe your boss isn’t happy with your performance, or the working relationship just isn’t clicking. Either way, the question nags at you: Is it better to quit or be fired? The answer depends on whether your reputation or your fin...

How to Recognize Quiet Firing & Take Charge of Your Career

By Martina Mascali, Monster Contributor

Have you ever felt like you're in a one-sided relationship, but with your job? You're giving it your all, but the appreciation and progression just aren't reciprocating. Perhaps your contributions are constantly overlooked, or you find yourself saddled with thankless tasks far below your capability. If you're nodding along, you might be on the rece...

How to Know if It's Time for a Career Change

By Martina Mascali, Monster Contributor

In March 2021 the “Great Resignation” began and the number of people quitting their job in the U.S. reached an all-time high. While some of them truly stopped working for good, statistics show that most Americans who quit their job do so for a career change. Reason why, another name to indicate the Great Resignation is the Great Reshuffle. After al...

How to Make a Career Change at 50 and Live Out Your Best Life

By Venus Gentile, Monster Contributor

The opportunity to reinvent yourself and chart a new career path at midlife is well within your reach. And what was once an unthinkable idea has become increasingly common for many people in their 50s. So, if you’re considering a career change at 50, the good news is there are likely many possibilities that you never imagined before. As the great n...

Should I Quit My Job? 5 Signs You May Be Ready to Resign

By Venus Gentile, Monster Contributor

At some point in all our lives, we have most likely asked ourselves, "Should I quit my job?" If you're experiencing the challenging decision to let go of a career that once held purpose, you're not alone. Millions of U.S. workers resigned from their jobs since 2020 under a trend otherwise known as the "Great Resignation." So why do people leave ...

How to Start a Second Career

By Dillon Price, Monster Contributor

How do you feel about your current career? Are you experiencing burnout or have you hit a dead end? The enthusiasm you once had for your career may be gone, but fortunately, you’re not out of options. Here are the practical steps you can take to embark on a second career path. Why Do People Change Careers? You may be looking to change careers...

How Long Should You Stay at a Job?

By Dawn Papandrea, Monster contributor

You may have heard that job-hopping—consistently changing jobs every one or two years—doesn't have the stigma that it once did, but that's only partially true. While it's accurate to say that it's less common for people to stick with one employer for decades, that doesn't mean it's acceptable to switch jobs willy-nilly. How Long Do People Tend t...

What to Do If You Get Demoted at Work

By Daniel Bortz, Monster contributor

Getting demoted is never in anyone’s career plan. We talk a lot about climbing the ladder at work, and for good reason: In an ideal world, your career would follow an upward trajectory, where you’d get one promotion after another, rising all the way to the C-suite—with a handsome paycheck to go with it. Here’s a reality check: Many hard-working ...

Is it time to pivot to a Plan B job?

By Elana Lyn Gross, Monster contributor

You had it all planned. You figured out the right career path for you and made a long list of target companies to work for and ideal roles. You applied to dozens of jobs but heard nothing. You got a templated “thank you, next” response despite having carefully customized your resume and cover letter; or maybe you even had a few phone or video job i...

5 signs your career is stuck in a rut

By Daniel Bortz, Monster contributor

If you hate your job, it’s a pretty clear sign that you need to find a new one. That being said, every person’s career has a lull period or two, which is different from feeling stuck in a career that's going nowhere fast. Knowing how to tell if you’re stuck in a rut is what’s crucial. “There are ebbs and flows in everyone’s career,” says Jodi Gl...

10 signs you're in the wrong job

By Daniel Bortz, Monster contributor

Everyone hopes to make good career choices that will lead them to a happy, prosperous future. But unfortunately, not everything is in your control when it comes to job satisfaction. For example, if you’re popping antacids like candy and haven’t slept in three nights because you’re enduring a toxic workplace, those are clear indications that you nee...

How to move between nonprofits and for-profit companies

By Moira Lawler, Monster contributor

Suppose you’re in the middle of your career as an HR professional at a nonprofit. Seems like snagging a corporate HR gig should be a piece of cake, right? Not exactly. Even though the skill sets may be similar, there’s a world of difference when it comes to the work cultures, as well as expected salaries, and it can feel difficult to move from one ...

Sorry, but loyalty isn't a good enough reason to stay in a job

By Kate Ashford, Monster contributor

Remember your first day at your job? As a new hire, you saw the company through rose-colored lenses and were eager to get to work, excited about the opportunities that lay ahead. But now you’ve been there awhile, and that new job smell has long since faded away. Lately, you’ve been thinking that you’ve gotten as much as you can out of your curre...

How your professional growth can benefit from changing jobs every four years

By Daniel Bortz, Monster contributor

You find a job you love—awesome! You go to work, learn how to do your job, and get really good at doing your job—awesome again! But then what? What about your professional growth? If you’re wondering how long to stay in a job, know this: Long gone are the days when people spent their entire careers at a single company. Today, workers change jobs on...

Career Change or Job Change?

By Kate Ashford, Monster contributor

After several years—or even a decade or two—in a particular field, you might feel that you’re ready for something new. You’re at the end of your rope and you need a career change. You may even engage a career coach to help you figure out what you want to do next. Should you pursue a career transition? Or is it just time for a job change? Let's f...

How to climb out of a job niche you feel stuck in

By Kate Ashford, Monster contributor

When you’re squarely in the middle of your career, you’ve probably spent significant time in one position or industry. This is great if you want to keep moving into more advanced positions within the same field. But if you’re yearning for something different—even a little bit different—all of that hard-earned experience can sometimes work against y...

5 Signs of a Dead-End Job

By Kate Ashford, Monster contributor

Think of what a dead-end job looks like, and you'll probably envision someone who's been at the same company since phones had cords. But it doesn't take years to reach your breaking point with a job. It used to be true that workers started their careers at one company and spent decades there, rising through the ranks until they reached a top spo...

When to switch jobs to maximize your income

By Moira Lawler, Monster contributor

Think of job hoppers, and you likely think of the just-out-of-college crew. But data shows that switching jobs at the right time can be a smart move no matter where you are in your career. According to the Workforce Vitality Report from ADP, full-time workers who switched jobs in Q1 2017 saw a 5.2% increase in salary, compared to a 4.3% bump for...

3 questions to ask yourself before making an internal move

By Caroline Zaayer Kaufman, Monster contributor

Here’s a riddle: How do you get a new job without some of the stress that comes with a traditional job search? Answer: You get a new job within your current company. Both you and your company can benefit from this scenario. Many companies love to promote from within and develop their talent pool—you’re their most valuable asset, after all—as opp...

Ask Vicki: What should I do if I'm constantly questioning if I'm in the right career?

By Vicki Salemi, Monster career expert

Each week, Monster’s career expert Vicki Salemi—a former recruiter who utilizes 15-plus years of experience in recruiting and human resources to empower job seekers—answers user questions on Quora. We’ll be republishing the answers here. If you have a question for Vicki, send it to socialmedia@monster.com. Q. What should I do if I’m constantly q...

How to pivot into a new career

By Lily Martis, Monster staff

Not really feeling your current job? Did you not really feel your last one, either? Are you getting tired of asking yourself, “What’s next?” every few years? Jenny Blake wants to help you find a lasting answer. Unsatisfied in her career, she left a plumb job at Google in 2011 to write a book and launch her own consulting business. By choosing...

Hating your job is bad for more than just your career

By Mack Gelber, Monster staff

You know that saying, “this job may be hazardous to your health?” Those words, according to a recent study, might not solely apply to careers spent around toxic waste or malfunctioning equipment—they could very well describe any career that’s leaving you unsatisfied. The Ohio State University surveyed workers between 25 and 39 about both their j...

As a health care worker, is it possible to switch industries?

By Catherine Conlan, Monster contributor

Career tracks tend to be fairly rigid in health care: With all the education and licensing some positions require, people often find it easier to stay in the industry segment they started in rather than try something new. But switching specialties or professions isn’t impossible—it just takes a little creativity, work and patience, says Peter Mo...

Ask Vicki: What are your thoughts when you see a candidate changing jobs every two years?

By Vicki Salemi, Monster career expert

Each week, Monster’s career expert Vicki Salemi—a former recruiter who utilizes 15-plus years of experience in recruiting and human resources to empower job seekers—answers user questions on Quora. We’ll be republishing the answers here. If you have a question for Vicki, send it to socialmedia@monster.com. Q. As an interviewer or a recruiter...

What to do when multiple executives leave your company

By Catherine Conlan

There have been shakeups at the tops of many major companies lately. Top-level turnover happens, but when it happens at your company how are you supposed to react? Such sudden changes from leaders tend to make the rest of the company very nervous, and usually, employees are left to wonder if it’s time to head for the exits. “When a slew of senio...

6 questions to help you decide if it's time to switch jobs in 2016

By Catherine Conlan

Phil Mackie was working at a family-owned, custom athletic apparel and athletic equipment company. It was “booming” and he was expected to take over someday. Nevertheless, he found he was asking himself questions about his future: “Even if all this was mine, do I see myself enjoying my time here?” and “If I continue, will I be happy with the path m...

You've hit the 1-year mark at your company. Is it time to leave?

By Shannon Sweeny

You’ve been at your job for a year and it’s been quite the journey. You’ve had your handful of frustrations and maybe you even thought of quitting once or twice. But maybe you have a flexible work schedule, a great team and you can see the “potential” at your current employer. Obviously, you’re thinking, should I stay or should I go? There ar...

How long should I stay at my first job?

By Catherine Conlan

Your first “real” job—the one that goes beyond just a summer gig or an internship—can feel like the foundation of the rest of your career. First jobs are great for learning about what it means to be an employee, says Lynda Spiegel of Rising Star Resumes in New York City. Not only can you grow more knowledgeable about the company and the position yo...

Happy in your current job? You're still probably thinking about a new one

By Vicki Salemi, Monster Careers Expert

According to a new Monster survey, as the job market continues to uptick, so, too does the attitude to change employers. The numbers tell all: 43 percent of respondents said they are more likely to consider a new job opportunity than they would have one year ago. Further, despite the fact that 71 percent of survey participants say that they are ha...

From Sales to the Top: How to Transition to the Corporate Side of Retail

By Shannon Sweeny

Many young adults start their working lives in retail but do not seek career advancement in the industry. Ryan Beliveau, 31, a data and IT manager at a nonprofit in Boston, Massachusetts, started his post-grad career transitioning from his retail sales associate position to a corporate role. Following this career path is a great opportunity to make...

How to Take Your Career in a Totally Different Direction

By Monster Contributor

Transferrable skills and patience go a long way toward making a major change. By Mary Ellen Slayter, Monster Careers Expert I graduated college with a degree in agronomy, thinking I would work in agricultural or environmental science. But after I graduated, I realized I would much rather be a newspaper journalist — something I had never taken...

10 signs your job is at risk

By Monster Contributor

Watch for these red flags that suggest it’s time to start looking for a new gig. By Catherine Conlan Monster Contributing Writer There are lots of reasons your job may be at risk -- some you can control, and some you can’t. Knowing the signals things are going wrong can give you a chance to find a great new job before the axe falls. Here are 1...

10 Signs It's Time to Find a New Job

By Monster Contributor

By Catherine Conlan Monster Contributing Writer Many people feel lukewarm about their jobs at some point during their careers. It's the red flags you have to watch out for -- major signs that it's time to leave your job. Once you see a red flag, it can be time to make a serious assessment of where you are in your career and where you want to be...

10 Warning Signs You Will Be Fired

The signs that your job’s days are numbered are pretty obvious, if you’re paying attention. Here are 10 warning signs you will be fired soon. Your Boss Stops Asking You for Help Leaders ask good employees for help and input. If you’re not being asked, it could simply be that your boss is busy. If you’re not being asked and the following other...

Three signs of a miserable job

By Tom Musbach, Monster contributor

"Awful," "dreary" and "miserable" are adjectives many people use to describe their jobs at one time or another. Dissatisfaction on the job is common and often temporary. But not many people take time to analyze what makes a job miserable, and how to fix it. Fortunately Patrick Lencioni has done much of that work in his book, The Three Signs of a...

Burned Out on Public Accounting?

By Dona DeZube, Monster Finance Careers Expert

Burnout in public accounting is so common that recruiters even refer to it in employment ads. For example, "Are you at the point of your public career where you are tired of the travel, lack of continuity of a team and don't see how another busy season is going to add new skills or depth to your career?" read one ad posted by Jonathan Claggett, pra...

Career Change Success: From IT to Marketing

By Monster Contributor

by Brooke Eaton, Monster Staff Writer A career change can mean many different things, from changing jobs within one field, to taking skills from one industry and making them applicable to another. Monster member polyloquent used IT skills to embark on a successful marketing career and has some tips to help others do the same: I've been workin...

Second-Career Rad Techs

By Cindy Mehallow, Monster Contributing Writer

Many career changers discover age is no obstacle to starting over as a radiologic technologist (RT). They find employers value their maturity, stability and strong educational preparation. In addition, the experience gained during clinical rotations helps ease the transition into the new work environment. Three latecomers to radiologic technolog...

Is Changing Fields Right for You?

By Barbara Reinhold, Monster Contributing Writer

"I've got to get out of here -- this job is killing me!" Or, "I've got to get out of here -- this kind of work is killing me." What's the difference? There's a tremendous difference between job searching in a field in which you have experience, and eyeing a completely new career track. Wanting to escape a field altogether is not unusual. The bad...

Thinking About a Job Change?

By Megan Malugani, Monster Contributing Writer

You're tempted. Who wouldn't be? A prospective employer is wooing you with a higher hourly wage or annual salary, or maybe even a sign-on bonus. You daydream about making a down payment on that new car, taking a much-needed vacation or putting a dent in your credit card debt. But proceed with caution. Money shouldn't be the only factor in an emp...

What You Can Do When Guilt Affects Your Career

By Amy Hume, Monster Contributing Writer

Suppose a woman named Jackie hated her sales job with every bone in her body. She really wanted to leave, but all the opportunities she heard of paid less. Every time she heard about an interesting position, she waited so long that the job was gone by the time she inquired. "How could I even consider taking a job like that?" Jackie wondered wheneve...