Can i quit my miserable job even if it’s CV gold?

Is it okay to quit a job I’m miserable at, even if it looks good on my CV? 

My immediate response to this question is yes. There’s more to life than work, so there’s no need to be miserable just for the sake of a fancy CV.

That said, you need to ask yourself some questions and think through the answers.

1. How miserable are you, really? 

If you find yourself dreading Monday mornings, being short tempered, taking sick days, withdrawing socially or masking your feelings with drink and drugs – well, clearly if you’ve had these or similar feelings for a few months, something is really wrong.

If you just feel frustrated with colleagues, or bureaucracy, or that progress is too slow; if you’re pissed off about a knock-back of some kind; or if it turns out your employer isn’t living up to the ‘brand values’, these are all normal symptoms of working life. They come and (hopefully) go. If they persist and you think you can do better elsewhere, then by all means explore making a change. It’s just probably not worth quitting a job because it’s less than perfect – no job is perfect.

2. How ‘good’ does it really look on your CV?

It’s true that some jobs look more impressive than others. Big brands and work in competitive sectors (think consulting, finance, big tech) are eye-catching, as are job titles that imply lots of responsibility. The fact that you got into a trophy job sends a positive signal to potential employers.

It is only a signal though. What really counts are your knowledge, skills and experience (KSE). You can develop your KSE in many roles, not just trophy jobs. As long as you can get a chance to articulate your KSE to potential employers, you don’t need to make yourself miserable working in a job you don’t like.

3. How long can you stick it?

If you can make it past the two-year threshold, you’ve got the credibility associated with that job on your CV and won’t look like a job hopper (or that you couldn’t hack it) if you quit and do something else. If this job is a pathway to something better, some suffering along the way might be tolerable.

4. What have you tried so far?

Have you spoken with your line manager? HR? Your colleagues? Have you got an Employee Assistance Program you can try? Have you discussed it with friends? Does your university offer career coaching to alumni?