Want to Quit your Job? Understanding Your Personality Type Can Help Inform Your Decision

If you’re asking yourself “should I quit my job?” there are some methods you can use to help you make a decision. That starting point is to know your personality type, which is a useful tool for evaluating yourself and your professional priorities. 

By looking at your true values, feelings and environmental needs in more detail, you can understand what is most important to you in a career and whether or not your current job is fulfilling those needs. It can also help to give you the courage to take the next step, whatever that may be.

Read on to find out how personality type can help you answer the burning question: should I quit my job?

Don’t know your type? Take the free Typefinder test here. 

1. Why do I want to quit my job?

First things first, ask yourself why exactly you want to quit your job. List out the concrete reasons why you’re considering leaving. This can help you to understand if your feelings are deeply rooted or if you just need a break and a holiday.

If you’re not sure where to start, list out the parts of your personality that are most dominant and the things that you need to feel happy. Then see how your current job matches up. The more you can look into the causes of why you want to quit your job right now, the better you can understand your motivations and whether it’s the right decision.

Note: If you’re considering quitting your job because of severe mental stress, burnout or bullying, these are strong indications that you should quit your job. Regardless of personality type, when your job is having an increasingly severe impact on your mental and physical health, you need to make a change or risk it getting worse.

2. How does my job make me feel?

If your personality type means you struggle to read yourself and your true emotions, it can also be helpful to break down exactly how your current job makes you feel.

You might like to try keeping a journal for one month. Write down every thought and feeling you have surrounding your job - both the positives and the negatives - and then look back over your notes. You should be able to see clear patterns that you can then use to inform your decision. 

If in doubt, refer back to your personality profile as a comparison. What happened when you were feeling frustrated or lacking motivation? What were you doing when you felt most positive? What is your inner self trying to tell you? Understanding your personality type can help you to get a clearer picture of the things you need to help you feel fulfilled in your professional life.

3. What does my perfect work day look like?

Every personality type has a picture of their perfect working day. Whether you’re desperate to help people or want to be a leader with more responsibility, you probably have a clear image in your mind of your ideal job.

While you might have dreams, if you’re really questioning “should I quit my job?” you need to drill down into the details. What does your perfect work day look like?

Here are some ideas to help you add detail to your image:

• Where am I working? What is the perfect work environment for me? 
• Who am I working with? Alone or with colleagues?
• What responsibilities do I have? Am I leading a team or being encouraged by others?
• Who do I answer to? What kind of management structure is in place?
• What flexibility do I have? What are my working hours?

Maybe you imagine a job where you’re able to care for people and make a difference in their lives. On the other hand, you might be looking for a role where you can be more creative and have freedom over your work. Perhaps you dream of working for yourself or working abroad. If you can create a picture of your ideal work day with all the details, you can gain more clarity. 

If the opportunities you’re imagining are not possible in your current role or your current company, you might want to consider moving elsewhere. Alternatively, you might be able to shape your job the way you imagine it - with more flexibility, responsibility or freedom - simply by having an open and honest conversation with your employer.

4. Do I have a better opportunity somewhere else?

One of the major factors that will influence your decision for “should I quit my job?” is whether or not you have another opportunity waiting for you. Some personality types might be tempted to jump straight into a new role but it’s important to consider your options.

You might have already been applying for different roles or you may have been offered a new opportunity. If this is the case, the question of “should I quit my job?” will depend on a range of different factors.

It’s a good idea to think about:

• The role and responsibilities
• Pay and benefits
• Opportunities for progression
• Work-life balance
• Location

Your personality type will determine which of these factors is most important to you and how they will influence your decision-making process.

If you do not have another opportunity waiting for you and you’re not considering quitting to pursue education or another path, be realistic about your opportunities and the likelihood of you finding a better position that you will enjoy more.

5. What do my friends and family think?

If your personality type likes to get support and advice from the people around you, try asking friends and family what they think. Turn the question to the people you trust and ask: “should I quit my job?” Usually the ones who are closest to you will have the strongest opinions!

You might not realize how long you’ve been stressed or unhappy but your friends and family will. They will be able to help you evaluate whether this is just a passing phase or something long-term that’s rooted in your personality type. Friends and family will also be able to offer advice on the practical issues connected with quitting such as financial stability and finding another job.

6. Can I quit my job?

While some personality types love to be spontaneous and make snap decisions, it’s also important to evaluate if you can realistically quit your job right now. You might have a contract that will be costly to break. Or you might not have the financial stability to quit without a back-up plan.

Whatever you feel about your current job, it’s important to have all the facts before you decide to quit. Quitting your job will not necessarily make your life easier - it could make it a lot harder. Go into the decision with open eyes and a clear picture of what you want and use your personality type as a starting point to help you make a decision.