When you want to quit your job, every day feels like a Monday. You drag yourself from meeting to meeting while fighting through boredom, trying to get through each day. Even though you may be ready to quit, signs your boss wants you to stay are probably there, especially if you are a great employee.
If you are considering quitting your job, you are not alone. According to CNN, over 47.4 million Americans voluntarily quit their jobs during what is now deemed “The Great Resignation.”
Employees now more than ever are feeling the urge to quit their jobs in search of better opportunities, to stay remote, fit their new lifestyle, or make a career change.
Although employers are now offering more incentives to stay, employees are taking their career paths into their own hands with new opportunities to freelance, jobs that are more flexible, and turning their side hustles into full-time careers.
If you see signs your boss wants you to keep working for the company, but you are considering quitting, assess what your motivation is and what your next steps are, either at your current job or in preparing for a new one.
How to know it’s time to quit your job despite the signs your boss wants you to stay
Quitting your job is a major career decision. Questioning your career path is one telltale sign that it might be time to quit your job and consider a new career.
In recent years, over 50% of Americans considered making a career change, according to the career website Zippia. Here are a few signs it may be time to quit your job, despite the signs your boss wants you to stay!
You want to find a career you love
If you found a new career you’re interested in or are looking to start your own business, it may be time to consider whether your current job is still right for you.
You spend a lot of time at work and there is nothing wrong with wanting to find a job you actually love. Not liking your job or career field is an obvious sign it's time for something new.
You are working long hours and don't get paid enough
Many employees face the same battle with their companies, from burnout to a lack of promotional opportunities.
These are external signs that it may be time to quit your job, even though there are signs your boss would prefer that you stay.
Feeling overworked and underpaid are some of the biggest factors when considering quitting a job. Have your workdays gotten longer?
Are you taking on more responsibility with no increase in pay or promotion in sight? Consider if it’s time to maybe quit.
You have a toxic boss
Half the battle of working is the people you work with and for. If your management is difficult to work with and learn from, it may be time to consider quitting your job and moving on. Working with difficult managers and coworkers can make each workday unbearable.
You deserve to wake up and love going to work. Who you work for is a big part of that motivation. If you aren’t receiving the support you need professionally, consider searching for a new job that can provide that.
Your work-life balance continues to decline
Work-life balance is very important, and everyone deserves to have a separation between their work life and their personal life.
But perhaps your habits have become more and more work-focused, even when you're off work, like checking emails before you're at the office or taking work phone calls on weekends.
If your work-life balance is declining due to more responsibilities from your manager and less time away from the office, it’s time to reconsider your career and where it fits into your life.
7 Apparent signs your boss wants you to stay
There's a little voice inside of you urging you to quit, but your boss wants you to stay. It might be difficult to decipher the signs.
Here are a few signs your supervisor wants you to stay even though you are considering quitting.
1. Your boss gives you more responsibilities
Your boss might be showing you signs that they want you to stay by trusting you with more work duties. Unfortunately, more work typically means easily feeling overworked, which could make you want to quit even more.
It is a common sign that your boss sees potential in you as an employee but doesn’t realize how more work impacts your well-being and work-life balance.
2. They offer incentives
If your boss is giving you incentives frequently it's another sign they appreciate you and want you to stay. But all the paid time off and free lunches won’t change your workload or make it easier to stay at your job.
If you’re being offered company incentives with no relief from a heavy workload, it may be time to consider a new job that will respect your work-life balance.
3. Your boss talks about your future at the company
Does your boss discuss your career aspirations and try to help you achieve them? Is there a clear path to where your current job is going?
Has your boss given you guidance as to how you’ll advance as an employee? It is one of the biggest signs your boss wants you to stay long-term.
However, your career future is no good without the proper guidance from your manager to get there. If you are receiving little to no guidance from your boss about career growth, it’s time to plan your own.
It's also time to look for something new if you don't want to stay at the company long-term, even if your boss does discuss your career future.
4. You’re offered more visibility
If your boss is raving about you to their colleagues this is another one of the most apparent signs your boss wants you to stay. You are finally getting to sit at the table and increase your visibility around the company.
However, if the opportunities to advance are not there to match your level of effort, that's a problem. Advancing as an employee in terms of experience, but not on paper is a sign your boss wants you to stay but isn’t valuing your contributions enough to pay you what you’re worth.
5. They ask what you think
Does your boss seek you out to ask your opinion on things? That means they value your input and see you as an asset to the company.
This is a huge sign they want you to stay. So, now you know why your boss is always leveraging your opinions and ideas on matters! But it may not be enough to keep you at the company if you don't see a future there.
6. You have a high level of independence
Another sign that your boss is happy with your work is if they give you autonomy. Are you free to make choices about how you do your work and make your own schedule? If your supervisor trusts you to get your job done and do it well, they probably want you to stick around.
However, if you dislike your job, even with having lots of freedom, you won't necessarily want to stay.
7. They offer you pay increases
Pay raises or a bonus are good indicators that your boss wants you to stick around. After all, they aren't likely to give someone more money if they don't believe they're making the company better. Making a higher income is a definite signal that your boss wants you to continue at your workplace.
But if that pay raise is coupled with very long hours or a career you don't enjoy, it may still be time to quit.
Leverage the signs your boss wants you to stay to your advantage!
Your boss is urging you to stay at your current job, even though you feel differently. Use the signs your boss wants you to stay to your advantage.
Discuss opportunities to enhance your skills
Open the lines of communication with your boss if they are showing you signs that they want you to stay. Touch base with your boss to discuss any opportunities to enhance your experience.
Take growth opportunities from your boss to lead you into your next job. If there are opportunities to take free courses at your company, attend conferences and receive more certifications or training, use these to your advantage.
Soak up and take advantage of as much knowledge as you can before deciding whether to stay or quit.
Negotiate incentives and benefits
Negotiate incentives that will encourage you to stay like shorter work hours or more paid time off. Bring tangible examples of how your contributions have helped the growth of the company. It shows your boss the value you bring to the table.
Use new job offers as leverage
If you are currently job hunting and interviewing for new roles, use new job offers as leverage with your current employer. You can use an offer from another company to negotiate a better position or more pay.
A job offer shows your boss that you are highly valuable in the job market. Use it as great leverage to get what you want.
Ask about cross-training or different roles
You might take the time to discuss other options with your boss. Perhaps you can see what resources are available to help you train for a different role or use different skills that are more in line with your career goals. It's possible that a shift like this will make you much happier at your company.
How to leave a job professionally
If there are signs your boss wants you to stay but you want to quit, it's okay to trust your gut and move on to something new. However, when you quit, there are some things to keep in mind for a smooth transition.
Give them time to find a replacement for your role
Don't walk into your boss's office and announce that you're quitting that day. This sort of behavior is sure to make emotions run high and make things challenging for your co-workers and supervisors. Instead, give at least two weeks' notice, and more if your role is one that will require longer to fill.
Be gracious
Even if you can't wait to quit your job, it's best to be respectful and polite. Remember that when you leave a job, people will remember your behavior. So be sure that you quit with professionalism.
Make sure you have another offer first
If possible, don't leave your current job without another job offer. It's probably best to wait until you have secured a new position somewhere else. Otherwise, you run the risk of not being able to pay your bills unless you have a large amount of savings.
Don't burn bridges
Unless your working environment is incredibly toxic, it's best to not burn any bridges when you leave. You never know if you might run into your colleagues or supervisors at another point in your career, or if you may need to work with them again. So be sure to be respectful and open to constructive feedback.
Make the best decision for your career even though there are signs your boss wants you to stay!
The decision to leave your job or stay is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Weigh the pros and cons of each outcome, regardless of the signs that your boss wants you to stay.
Your career path is in your hands; listen to yourself, pay attention to the signs of when it’s the right time, and make the best decision for you. And to be sure you're prepared, read more about career success and networking.