This
topic about when to resign or when to stay in a job was brought up after I
started a blog post stating:
topic about when to resign or when to stay in a job was brought up after I
started a blog post stating:
“人生不会苦一辈子，但一定会苦一阵子，如果你逃避苦这一阵子，就一定会苦一辈子!”
“In life, you will not suffer forever, but you
will definitely suffer for a period of time. If you run away from short term
sufferings, you will definitely suffer forever!”
will definitely suffer for a period of time. If you run away from short term
sufferings, you will definitely suffer forever!”
Refer
here for the blog link.
here for the blog link.
This is
why sometimes (I re-emphasize “sometimes”) in a job, when you are suffering,
you probably will not suffer forever and there are many instances that it will
be 雨过天晴 i.e. rainbow after the rain. Of course it is easier said than done, just
like the phenomenon in investment “Be greedy when others are fearful.”
why sometimes (I re-emphasize “sometimes”) in a job, when you are suffering,
you probably will not suffer forever and there are many instances that it will
be 雨过天晴 i.e. rainbow after the rain. Of course it is easier said than done, just
like the phenomenon in investment “Be greedy when others are fearful.”
Below I
detailed few REAL LIFE EXAMPLES why “sometimes” you should not resign
in a job just because of work unhappiness.
detailed few REAL LIFE EXAMPLES why “sometimes” you should not resign
in a job just because of work unhappiness.
There will also be Part
2 in which I will discuss why sometimes you really need to resign
from your current job.
2 in which I will discuss why sometimes you really need to resign
from your current job.
1. Mr. K Story – Contemplating to Quit
Background
of Friend Contemplating Resign
of Friend Contemplating Resign
Recently,
I was with a friend who wanted to quit his job after few months. Let’s call him
Mr. K, in his late 20s, been working for 5-6 years. He is a Malaysian started
working in SG after graduating in Europe. He was with two previous companies in
SG before joining current company located in China. This job comes with a good increment
and a jump in role and responsibility.
I was with a friend who wanted to quit his job after few months. Let’s call him
Mr. K, in his late 20s, been working for 5-6 years. He is a Malaysian started
working in SG after graduating in Europe. He was with two previous companies in
SG before joining current company located in China. This job comes with a good increment
and a jump in role and responsibility.
Reasons
for ponder to leave
for ponder to leave
He was
currently tasked to handle a very huge project. This project started few months
ago and should last for the next 3 years. He is the key contract guy and his
job scope is very hectic with heavy responsibility resulting in no work life
balance even during weekend. The good side of it is he has good relationship with
boss and colleagues. In this job, he
also gets to directly interact with high level executives all over the world. Sometimes
it can also gets too tough for him at his age and experience.
currently tasked to handle a very huge project. This project started few months
ago and should last for the next 3 years. He is the key contract guy and his
job scope is very hectic with heavy responsibility resulting in no work life
balance even during weekend. The good side of it is he has good relationship with
boss and colleagues. In this job, he
also gets to directly interact with high level executives all over the world. Sometimes
it can also gets too tough for him at his age and experience.
Advices
After
listening to his situation, me and another friend (Mr. J) who was spending time with Mr. K, advised him to consider
the options of staying and shared our personal experiences.
listening to his situation, me and another friend (Mr. J) who was spending time with Mr. K, advised him to consider
the options of staying and shared our personal experiences.
For me,
I advised that this is a wonderful opportunity to learn as much as possible.
The exposure of interacting with high levels executives globally is a rare
opportunity. This project is also state of the art breakthrough project, by far
the largest in his company. If succeeds, the rewards will be enormous.
Furthermore, the project only started and it’s better to 有始有终 i.e. start and end gracefully. I use the below example illustrated to
him.
I advised that this is a wonderful opportunity to learn as much as possible.
The exposure of interacting with high levels executives globally is a rare
opportunity. This project is also state of the art breakthrough project, by far
the largest in his company. If succeeds, the rewards will be enormous.
Furthermore, the project only started and it’s better to 有始有终 i.e. start and end gracefully. I use the below example illustrated to
him.
“For a marathon of 42km, even if you give up after 41km into the
race, you are no different from someone who gives up after 1km. You will not earn
your finisher status”
race, you are no different from someone who gives up after 1km. You will not earn
your finisher status”
See
advice from Mr. J below.
advice from Mr. J below.
1. Mr. J’s Story – Do not quit when you most wanted to
Mr. J is
in his early 40s. In current job for 17 years, with rotations to different
departments within the company. During his initial years in the company, he
mentioned that he experienced many low periods such as colleagues and work
difficulty related problems and wanted to quit. In each occasion, he persists.
Every time it works out better thereafter and he progresses to the next level
within the company. Mr. J’s advice:
in his early 40s. In current job for 17 years, with rotations to different
departments within the company. During his initial years in the company, he
mentioned that he experienced many low periods such as colleagues and work
difficulty related problems and wanted to quit. In each occasion, he persists.
Every time it works out better thereafter and he progresses to the next level
within the company. Mr. J’s advice:
“The time when I suffer most and wanted to quit is the time I do not
quit!”
quit!”
He also mentioned,
bad colleagues / bosses come and go and will not stay forever! But if your boss is the owner of the company, most likely he will stay very very long. 🙂
bad colleagues / bosses come and go and will not stay forever! But if your boss is the owner of the company, most likely he will stay very very long. 🙂
2. Ms X’s Story – Good will Always Triumph
Ms X in
current job since 2007. More than 3 years ago, she wanted to quit because there
was a management change. A new MD was transferred from overseas branch causing
havoc in the company.
current job since 2007. More than 3 years ago, she wanted to quit because there
was a management change. A new MD was transferred from overseas branch causing
havoc in the company.
Ms X was
then a member of the operation team reporting to her Head of Department (HOD).
Due to the new MD foul politics and as what he plotted, several HODs left.
Immediately, many new HODs were recruited including Ms X’s new HOD. Ms X new boss
is a 27-28 year old french lady, first time in this country pretty much lacking
in terms of work and local experiences. Aside from being a very nice person,
she lacked the necessary hardworking attitude, this hectic country needed.
Making things worse, she began recruiting new staffs who mostly chit chatted
and accompanied her for many smoke breaks, focusing on the leisure and
neglecting the real work.
then a member of the operation team reporting to her Head of Department (HOD).
Due to the new MD foul politics and as what he plotted, several HODs left.
Immediately, many new HODs were recruited including Ms X’s new HOD. Ms X new boss
is a 27-28 year old french lady, first time in this country pretty much lacking
in terms of work and local experiences. Aside from being a very nice person,
she lacked the necessary hardworking attitude, this hectic country needed.
Making things worse, she began recruiting new staffs who mostly chit chatted
and accompanied her for many smoke breaks, focusing on the leisure and
neglecting the real work.
The consequence was, poor Ms X was always “OT-ing”
working day and night for almost 1.5 year.
working day and night for almost 1.5 year.
Mr
Rolf, then having more unimaginable problems at his work persuaded Ms X to
persist on.
Rolf, then having more unimaginable problems at his work persuaded Ms X to
persist on.
Reasons to
stay are
stay are
1) Ms X boss
despite throwing all the work to her, still treat her very nicely. To endure
hectic work is better than to endure a boss who pick on you and hates you.
despite throwing all the work to her, still treat her very nicely. To endure
hectic work is better than to endure a boss who pick on you and hates you.
2) The evil MD
is incompetent and will not last too long, before he is fired.
is incompetent and will not last too long, before he is fired.
Justice
prevails after 1 year! The MD was sacked by the regional MD with a new one
replacing him. The new MD is no-nonsense in work and absolutely nothing evil/political
up her sleeves. Half a year after her appointment, she replaced Ms X’s HOD due
to work incompetency.
prevails after 1 year! The MD was sacked by the regional MD with a new one
replacing him. The new MD is no-nonsense in work and absolutely nothing evil/political
up her sleeves. Half a year after her appointment, she replaced Ms X’s HOD due
to work incompetency.
The new
MD recognised Ms X’s commitment in work and instead of appointing a new HOD, Ms
X was promoted. She is still the HOD today after 2 years. So was the MD who
appointed her, where they worked closely together.
MD recognised Ms X’s commitment in work and instead of appointing a new HOD, Ms
X was promoted. She is still the HOD today after 2 years. So was the MD who
appointed her, where they worked closely together.
The 1.5
years sufferings resulted in a promotion and smoothness in career for the next 2
years or so.
years sufferings resulted in a promotion and smoothness in career for the next 2
years or so.
3. Mr. R’s Experience – Wrong Temptations Can be Your Worst
Nightmare
Nightmare
Background
Essentially, it was Mr. R second real job after
graduation. Mr. R worked hard and learnt diligently from his bosses. The effort
paid off and he was promoted 5-6 times in the 5-6 years stint to become the
youngest HOD in the company. Of course luck is very important as there were
acquisitions and management changes throughout creating various opportunities
for R to seize.
graduation. Mr. R worked hard and learnt diligently from his bosses. The effort
paid off and he was promoted 5-6 times in the 5-6 years stint to become the
youngest HOD in the company. Of course luck is very important as there were
acquisitions and management changes throughout creating various opportunities
for R to seize.
The parent company was an MNC with >10,000
staffs. Singapore is the HQ of the business unit comprise of >500 people spread
regionally. Mr. R’s role has virtually no limits as he managed a business unit
with global outreach and global subordinates. He had the authority to make high
level decisions closing deals worth tens of millions reporting to VP in Europe.
Things get sweeter when a new local MD appointed in SG also like Mr. R alot.
staffs. Singapore is the HQ of the business unit comprise of >500 people spread
regionally. Mr. R’s role has virtually no limits as he managed a business unit
with global outreach and global subordinates. He had the authority to make high
level decisions closing deals worth tens of millions reporting to VP in Europe.
Things get sweeter when a new local MD appointed in SG also like Mr. R alot.
Note business
unit head does not necessarily report to local MD in MNC.
unit head does not necessarily report to local MD in MNC.
Things took a change, ALWAYS
Life is funny, just when everything seems calm and gets better, new sets of challenges and problems surfaced.
For years, Mr. R had a “pest” colleague in
competition. The pest held same position as Mr. R but he was very selfish and good
in politics. To be fair, this colleague also worked very hard and indeed capable.
He is also many years more senior than Mr. R in terms of age and time in the
company and was even once Mr. R’s boss for 1 month. However with the new MD being
no-nonsense and fair, his political plot cannot be implemented.
competition. The pest held same position as Mr. R but he was very selfish and good
in politics. To be fair, this colleague also worked very hard and indeed capable.
He is also many years more senior than Mr. R in terms of age and time in the
company and was even once Mr. R’s boss for 1 month. However with the new MD being
no-nonsense and fair, his political plot cannot be implemented.
After less than 1 year, the new MD was sacked
because of some stupid mistakes he previously make (haiz…long story…) Then came
corporate restructuring. Very common in MNC. A new MD was appointed in SG. The
new MD is a nice person, but was very soft and indecisive in work. While R’s
relationship with new MD was good, work wise became frustrating.
because of some stupid mistakes he previously make (haiz…long story…) Then came
corporate restructuring. Very common in MNC. A new MD was appointed in SG. The
new MD is a nice person, but was very soft and indecisive in work. While R’s
relationship with new MD was good, work wise became frustrating.
The softness in the new MD allowed the pest
competitor to make his political moves. To make things worse, sales starts to decline
in a year where market is quiet, though never sufficient to cost Mr. R a his job.
There are plenty of project issues where Mr. R phone was always ringing even
over weekend during a Cinema show. Mr. R was very unhappy but never set sights
for new opportunity. To close it all, Mr. R was flying all over the world for
work. It’s tiring.
competitor to make his political moves. To make things worse, sales starts to decline
in a year where market is quiet, though never sufficient to cost Mr. R a his job.
There are plenty of project issues where Mr. R phone was always ringing even
over weekend during a Cinema show. Mr. R was very unhappy but never set sights
for new opportunity. To close it all, Mr. R was flying all over the world for
work. It’s tiring.
Temptation
*Ding Dong*…. A CEO of a listed company came
knocking. Mr. R and this CEO met many times, each meeting always lasted for
hours over a period of close to half a year. Eventually, an MD/GM position
leading more than 100 people was accepted by Mr. R. This is in view of both
push and pull factors.
knocking. Mr. R and this CEO met many times, each meeting always lasted for
hours over a period of close to half a year. Eventually, an MD/GM position
leading more than 100 people was accepted by Mr. R. This is in view of both
push and pull factors.
Worst Nightmare
The next one year was the worst nightmare in
Mr. R’s work history. Problems in cashflow, remuneration not in time, never receive
his claim, digged into his own pocket to finance the company, questions over integrity
at highest level, suppliers non-stop chasing for money, and many other issues
in the company….
Mr. R’s work history. Problems in cashflow, remuneration not in time, never receive
his claim, digged into his own pocket to finance the company, questions over integrity
at highest level, suppliers non-stop chasing for money, and many other issues
in the company….
CFO left way before Mr. R, having joined almost
same time with him. Mr. R had to assume his role after he left. More problems
but more things to learn!
same time with him. Mr. R had to assume his role after he left. More problems
but more things to learn!
Mr. CEO is also under tremendous stress! Being
egoistic and also no solutions on hand, he chose to stay abroad escaping the
bankers, and instead focusing on his own private business which is far more
important to him than this “mini” listed company.
egoistic and also no solutions on hand, he chose to stay abroad escaping the
bankers, and instead focusing on his own private business which is far more
important to him than this “mini” listed company.
Mr. R left the company after close to one year
stint. It was a not long period of time, but he is in fact one of the longest
serving Executive Officers being appointed by the board of directors. It’s absurd!
Haha…
stint. It was a not long period of time, but he is in fact one of the longest
serving Executive Officers being appointed by the board of directors. It’s absurd!
Haha…
The grass isn’t always greener at the other side.
A popular local blogger’s personal experience of him leaving and returning to his old company after two months. Refer to his story here.
Rolf’s View
Bear in mind, at different stage of your career
life, different sets of reasons are applicable. There is no one pill that fixed
all. Different strokes work for different folks.
life, different sets of reasons are applicable. There is no one pill that fixed
all. Different strokes work for different folks.
I have simple needs in my job for now, focusing
on my family and growing my portfolio. I will not look for greener pasture as
long as the below criteria are met.
on my family and growing my portfolio. I will not look for greener pasture as
long as the below criteria are met.
- Integrity is crucial to company, and co continue to
be pay my salary / claims on time - My boss likes me
- No opportunity yet to start my own business (wait till neck long long…..)
Having said that, my company is undergoing acquisition/ management changes, who knows if I can get along with my new boss. Fingers crossed!
Stay tuned to Part 2 on “Reasons why you should
resign from your current job!”
resign from your current job!”
Related Posts:
Hello Rolf,
Thanks for sharing these stories. I had contemplated quitting my job more than once over the years. It was because of the monotony of the job.
But I never really pulled the trigger. It may be due to fear of the unknown. It may be because I am too comfortable in my current company. Nonetheless, I kept myself motivated and keep challenging myself to do the job well.
Thankfully, my current boss is competent, understanding and fair. The management appreciates my contribution and for two years running, they have given me positive surprises.
In my role, I interview candidates for my department. I have come across various reasons why candidates want to quit their current employer and work for my company.
The reason I sympathize most is that the leaving company has a poisonous work culture – Unknown career advancement route. Retrenchment on the fly. No defined job scope. These are things which a person will not know, until he/she joins the company.
For your readers who are contemplating on leaving, I hope they keep the above pointers in mind.
Hi SRSI,
Thanks for reading and commenting.
In your current role having seen and here from so many candidates, perhaps, you are the most eligible to advise the readers. Definitely more than myself.
Your personal experience is so valuable for us/readers to know. Thank you.
Keeping yourself motivated is an uphill task and I am glad you manage to do that. Noted that now you also motivate yourself by starting to blog this year especially on REITs.
You quoted “The reason I sympathize most is that the leaving company has a poisonous work culture!”
Agree…..LOL
Rolf
Hi Rolf
Thanks for the mention and a very interesting story all round by the different group of friends you had in your circle.
Like you now, my criteria is to stay in a job where I am liked, progression path is clear albeit slow, flexibility in work style and work life balance. I have all those at hand currently with exception downside that I've got pretty much nothing to learn for anymore.
Some people may choose to leave because of politics reason, some for money and some for career expansion. It's different expectations for different people. To me, an exit interview can be fully utilized by the HR to ensure that retention rate is kept high and attrition rate is kept low. Unfortunately most are only likely to chuck it one side ignoring them.
Good stories and posts 😉
Hi B,
I just published part 2 only reasons why we should leave and one reason is job satisfaction. What is our approach.
Without puncturing a hole in your nice Resume (by frequent job hoping)….once you have nothing to learn in the company, it can be dreadful. It depends also on how many years in the company. 2-3 years is not that long to see enough. 4-5 years allow you to see more things.
At age group of 30-35, personally I feel venturing for exposure is important. Where you fall down (previous job failure), is where you get up! Not now maybe? but one day definitely …From the bottom of my heart, you should never stop searching again, despite earlier setback although it can be cruel to your kind-hearted current boss.
Alternatively, maybe talk to them to assume more roles without asking for any increase in salary. I am sure they are more than happy to accept that.
From 35-45 is where is starts to stable down and becoming more matured in work. I know you are different, because by then you already Grasshoppers Laughing, and financially free and no more working.
Beyond 45 is where you love stability. Nothing to loose is better than nothing to learn!
Exit interview is good when candidates tell the truth. In Singapore culture, hardly you find truths in interview. People are just too worried of offending. Therefore interviewer must be sharp in detecting body language when ask “poking” questions outside the norm.
Rolf
Hi Rolf
Thanks for your advise.
Given your situation by having a newborn baby, similar like me, I feel like a work life balance enable me to spend time with my family and blogging, which makes me happy. Of course the situation would hv been different if I was single.
I guess sacrifices have to be made. Im probably still towards sticking to the current job for now but will see somewhere along the line a bit later.
This post is very useful for us. Because we have a lot of
tips and tricks from this post. Thank you for this amazing post share. I many
tips about jobs in bd as well. If you want to know more about a career sites, please visit our website.
http://www.bd-career.com
Great Article. Thank you for sharing! Really an awesome post for every one.
Project Centers in Chennai
JavaScript Training in Chennai
Final Year Project Domains for IT
JavaScript Training in Chennai