How to Gracefully Quit a Job You Hate

Last Updated on July 31, 2022 by

Does your job give you nightmares? Do you feel miserable and unenthusiastic whenever you step into your office?

Perhaps you are working at the wrong place!

Many people hate their jobs due to several reasons. Some hate their boss, and some hate commuting for long hours, while others dislike their work because it sucks! Again, most employees continue working at the same place because they don’t realize that their work is what they hate or don’t know how to quit the job on a positive note.

If you’ve been preparing to leave your monotonous job and look for a better opportunity, here is how you can gracefully quit a job you hate.

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Signs It May Be Time To Quit


How will you decide that this job is not for you?

Sometimes, it can be hard to figure out that you hate going to the office. Initially, you may not realize that you are working in a toxic environment. But if you find yourself demotivated and unhappy whenever you are at work, it’s a sign that you need to say BYE to your current job and look for a new job.

Below are some common reasons indicating that you should quit your job.

You Have Stopped Growing Professionally

One of the biggest signs that you need to quit your job is that you are not growing in your career. Employers often provide training and support for their employees to learn new things in their field. Besides, the employee also gets promotions as he gains experience.

Nonetheless, if you have not learned anything new or are working in the same position for several years, it’s a good sign that you need to hunt for a new opportunity.

You Don’t Feel Supported

A good boss or coworker supports you in your personal career growth as you serve the company. However, if your manager or coworkers don’t support you, you should go for a job change. For example, suppose all the work you do goes unnoticed. And, you don’t receive appreciation for trying new things or contributing to the company’s growth; you should look for an alternative to your current employment.

Also, if you feel isolated or left out while working in your office, start looking for a new opportunity.

You Often Consider Leaving Your Current Job

Do you often feel that you need a change in environment? Or do you feel the need to switch your career in search of a better, high-paying job whenever you go to the office? That also indicates that you are fed up with your current work and need to look for something that excites you.

Further, if you often think that you are not passionate about your job or hate your workplace’s environment, you should resign from your position.

You Feel You Are Operating On Autopilot

Most people follow a monotonous routine which is all about getting up in the morning, going to the office, returning home, sleeping, and back to the office the following day.

Initially, this routine might look normal. But after some time you’ll get bored of this life and urge for something different. You’ll realize that you are working on autopilot, and even after the weekend, you won’t be motivated to get back to work.

It is best to bag a new opportunity that brings light into your life in such cases.

Your Work Does Not Align With Your Values Or Goals

Everyone has a goal in life, and your career is the pathway towards your goals. However, if your career is not helping you achieve your goals or is leaving you far behind your goals, you should check out other alternatives.

Additionally, if your job doesn’t help you achieve financial stability, you will have to suffer in the future. So, it’s best to go for a career that ensures success in life and is permanent.

The Work Makes You Feel Demeaned

If you cannot handle your work stress and keep on acting weirdly in front of your colleagues and manager, it’s a sign that you aren’t meant to be working for this job. If your job has brought abrupt changes in you, like changes in your character, or left you in shock, you should quit it.

What to Do Before You Quit?


Quitting your job can significantly impact your life, even if you are leaving it because you hate it. So, it’s best to be prepared in advance to manage the losses until you get a new job. Here are a few things to keep in mind before handing over your letter of resignation to your manager.

  • Find out and list down the reasons for which you hate your job. And try to look for a solution to these issues rather than resigning directly.
  • Make sure you have enough funds to survive for a few months because you will be jobless as soon as you resign.
  • Do not argue with your employer or resign on a negative note, as this will reduce your credibility.
  • Ask yourself if a new job, different schedule, and work environment are what you need. And also find out why you need them.
  • Do not plan to resign suddenly, especially if you are frustrated with your work or your colleague. Think patiently before proceeding towards quitting.
  • If you think you can discuss your problem with your boss to find a solution, discuss it with him. Maybe he can help you find a feasible solution to your pain points, and you can continue working at the same company.

Plan Ahead to Prepare to Leave


Once you make up your mind to leave your job, don’t just do it right away! A sudden decision can leave you in a huge mess, and you might not know what to do and how to move on in your life.

So, be patient! Wait for some time (a few weeks or months), prepare a proper strategy, and then quit.

Following are the things you should consider while planning to resign:

  • Remember that you won’t get any paycheck after leaving your job. So start saving in advance to save enough funds to fulfill your basic requirements.
  • Continue working productively at the office and complete the current projects as soon as possible.
  • Do not show a negative attitude towards your company or indulge in unnecessary arguments with coworkers just because you will quit.
  • Schedule your interviews or other tasks after office hours to balance your workload.
  • Do not spread negativity about your company on social media or other people outside your office.
  • Be careful with whom you are sharing your frustrations and work stress. Only open up in front of people who won’t misuse your feelings.
  • Update your profile on networking sites like LinkedIn.
  • Start looking for jobs on social networking sites and online job boards.
  • Update your resume and build your portfolio.
  • Gather references from your hiring managers and former colleagues.

How to Quit a Job You Hate – Gracefully Inform Your Employer


Feeling frustrated with your job can make you fall into an argument or disrespect your employer, especially while quitting. However, that will only lead to problems for you and leave a negative impression on your employer’s mind.

So, it’s always best to gracefully inform your employer that you’ll no longer be coming to work.

You should also send a formal resignation letter and give a two weeks notice before resigning. This highlights your professionalism and positive attitude towards your company and job. And mention your reason for leaving in brief rather than telling stories.

Apart from that, below are more tips on how to quit your job gracefully:

Be Discreet

Since you are leaving the organization, don’t go and share your grievances about your job with everyone you find. You never know who may misuse your words and use them against you. Eventually, this may also create problems for you before resigning.

Before leaving your job, talk to someone close to you or your non-office friends if you want emotional support. But, be selective with whom you choose as your friend. Also, tell your hiring manager directly that you are planning to quit.

If somebody else tells your boss, it will affect him negatively. And until you break the news, don’t tell anyone that you are searching for jobs or planning to quit.

Don’t Go on a Rant

While leaving your tedious job, it is evident that you may want to go straight up to your boss and tell him on his face that you are quitting because you hate your job. This will work, but you won’t leave a favorable impression on your employer’s mind.

So you can do it the other way round and leave the job on good terms by having a positive conversation with your boss.

For example, tell your boss you are resigning from your position because you received another better opportunity. You can also mention a positive reason for quitting your job.

Write a Resignation Letter

Regardless of how annoying your job is, never skip the professional method of quitting your job. Always write a formal resignation letter and send it to the employer via personal email or hand it in person to the HR department or human resources manager.

Remember to include all the necessary details in the letter, such as your name, job title, contact info, the reason for leaving, last date of work, etc. Also, offer gratitude to your HR manager and offer to train your replacement.

Throughout the letter, keep your tone positive and neutral. Do not mention any unnecessary details or talk about negative points of the workplace.

Give at Least Two Weeks’ Notice

Giving a two-week notice period is a polite gesture before leaving a job. However, some companies have policies that may require a compulsory notice of less or more than two weeks. So make sure to check your company contract before giving notice.

Also, in case of harassment or unavoidable reasons, you can immediately quit without giving notice at all. But this is not professional and recommended, and it is also not a legal approach to resigning. So it is best to provide a two-week notice and properly quit the job.

Ace Your Exit Interview

Finally, you may have to appear for an exit interview before leaving the company. This process is highly common in most companies. Some employers conduct a face-to-face interview with the employee, while others take interviews anonymously.

When you give your exit interview, keep your emotions in control. Express your reason for leaving positively and thank your boss for giving you the chance to work there.

The positively you behave during the interview, the better your impression. So, be confident and positive throughout the interview. If you want to share your personal experience before leaving, share it with your boss.

Remember, if you leave the company on a positive note, you will get positive reviews in the future and get good references for your next job.

The Bottom Line


Those were some essential tips on how to gracefully quit a job you hate. You might find it quite annoying to go to the office when your work environment is toxic. But leaving the job straight away isn’t a solution! So, follow the tips mentioned above to quit your job the right way and avoid any conflicts with your employer!

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