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Do You Want to Quit Your Job? 4 things to never do

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The time may come when it is time to move on. After you have exhausted all other options, quitting may be the only thing left for you to do. While you may have wished things turned out differently, making the choice to leave your job and pursue something new is nothing to be ashamed of. As in all areas of life, making decisions that empower you and bring you to new heights in your overall well-being and development are smart ones.

But before you call it quits, keep in mind the things you should never do. Even if you are leaving on what you consider to be bad terms, professionalism and poise are always key to a smooth and sophisticated exit.

Here are four things you should never do if you are planning to quit your job. You may be fed up or just "over it," but quit like a class act and you'll be a better person for it.

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Don't Lose Your Cool

You may be at your wit's end, but once you lose control and say something you regret, you'll want to bury your head in the sand. Stay level-headed and be as calm as you can, even if you are quitting at a time of great stress or frustration.

As per The Balance, "Don't tell your boss and co-workers off… even if they deserve it. It is not just about being the bigger person. You never know who will turn up in your life at some point in the future. You may have to work with one of these people again. Even coworkers who are your allies may be put off by your behavior and may form a negative opinion of you."

Take a deep breath and go into the situation with discipline and directness, but never cross that line and risk damage to your professional reputation.

Don't Badmouth or Complain About Your Boss

If you know you are planning to leave the company, keep all thoughts about your boss to yourself, whether that means during "water cooler" chit chat among co-workers or with a potential new employer. It does nothing to help your cause or credibility.

Similarly, do not badmouth the company as a whole either. It stinks of pettiness and lack of appreciation. Instead, The Motley Fool suggests, "Stay positive. Focus on the exciting opportunities you have and how much you will miss your colleagues. Even if employees make a practice of badmouthing the company over lunch or post-work drinks, don't participate."

Remember, you are quitting anyhow, so name-calling is nothing but juvenile and mean-spirited. The rules of kindergarten always hold up.

Don't Sever Ties

You have your valid reasons for leaving, but that does not mean that the relationships you have built and contacts you have collected must be tossed aside and forgotten. If you depart from the company in a classy and friendly manner, you can keep those connections solid as you move towards the next step on your career path.

As per Wishing Well Coaching, "Don't burn bridges. Your network is one of your most valuable career assets. Keep the relationships you have and build new ones in your new place of work. No matter how sure you are that you're never going back to where you are working now, don't do anything you'll regret."

Don't forget, "You may need the company for references," as The Motley Fool notes. Keep in touch.

Don't Give Zero Notice

As per Wishing Well Coaching, "Quitting a job without notice is a sure way to burn bridges with your manager and co-workers, who are all left to pick up the pieces after your departure."

Your employer deserves respect and a decent amount of time to process your decision to leave and find a replacement. Walking in to your boss's office and walking out for good immediately after is in poor taste, unless something truly horrendous has happened.

The Motley Fool suggests, "You should give proper notice -- two weeks in most fields, but more in a few others. During your notice period you should make every effort to tie up any loose ends. Think about what the next person in your job might need and leave a hand-off note containing the relevant info."

You may be eager to move onward and upward but doing the right thing will end your time with the company on a high note.

Quit the quality way. And good luck in your next position!

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Things you should never do during a job interview

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No matter what stage you are at in your career, going on a job interview can be unnerving. Anxiety and stress may rear their ugly heads, and the fear of the unknown can be equally nerve-wracking. Even if you are normally calm, cool, and collected, the prospect of meeting with a potential employer for the first time in a setting where you must be at your best can cause palms to sweat and insecurity to come out of the woodwork.

But you can do this! Nail your interview by being well-prepared, polished, and poised. If you are the right person for the job and you make a stellar impression, chances are you'll get the job. That said, there are some things that can ruin your chances of being hired. The actions and behaviors below are major no-nos. Stay on top of your interview manners and you will be one step closer from nailing the gig.

Not Learning as Much as Possible About the Company

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You wouldn't show up for an exam without studying, so do not arrive at your interview without knowing as much as you can about the company and the person interviewing you. Show you have a vested interest in the business by doing your homework.

As suggested by Michael Page Career Advice, "Check the 'About Us' link on the company website and read their mission statement. Find out who the competition and major players in the market are." These days, a search is just a click away, so there is no excuse not to know at least the basics about the company and the job you are about to be interviewing for.

Knowledge is power! Prove you are proactive and prepped.

Dressing Unprofessionally

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What is on the inside is what counts, but your outward appearance reflects your sensibilities and understanding of the type of business you are trying to be part of. You do not need to dress in a way that isn't your personal style, but there is a level of professionalism and appropriateness that is expected and appreciated.

Career Builder notes, "Wearing clothes that are too tight or too loose, too dressy or too casual, or wearing brands and logos in professional settings is a bad sign, according to 49 percent of hiring managers."

And according to The Balance, "Err on the side of overdressing to demonstrate that you are serious about the opportunity."

Dress to impress and for interview success!

Showing Up Late

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Unless there was an unfortunate accident or horrible unexpected storm, there are not many other acceptable reasons to show up late to an interview. As per Michael Page Career Advice, "Unless you have a very good excuse and ring ahead to rearrange, turning up late for an appointment will not endear you to any employer." Their time is valuable, so wasting it will surely leave a sour taste in their mouth… before that first handshake.

As The Balance recommends, "Prepare your travel carefully and leave a cushion for unexpected delays. Arriving late can be a deal breaker and create the impression that you might be an irresponsible employee."

Save those "fashionably late" moments for your personal life. Don't forget, the early bird catches the worm. If you turn up too late, you may be shown the door before you're even invited inside.

Some other interview blunders?

  • Lying
  • Leaving your cell phone on… or worse, texting during the interview
  • Fidgeting
  • Poor posture
  • Bashing your previous boss or company
  • Getting too personal
  • Not making eye contact

Make the most of the interview experience by remembering to be yourself, remain confident, and speak clearly. Be honest, open, and show you are trustworthy, eager, and smart. Good luck!

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Surprising benefits of working with your friends

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The old adage of never mixing business and pleasure may be smart for some, but there are plenty of perks that come from working with friends. Whether you take a position where a friend is already employed, or you get close with co-workers over time and form bonds, these relationships can improve your work life tremendously.

Good friends (and good jobs) are hard to come by, so if you can kill two birds with one stone (so to speak), you are one of the lucky ones. As long as you keep things professional and know your boundaries, having a buddy in business is a blessing. Here are some reasons why.

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You'll Be More Productive

While some may think working with friends would cause people to goof off more readily, the opposite is true.

According to Coca-Cola Company, "Having a work bestie is one of the strongest predictors of productivity (as per a Gallup poll). Friendships lead to a level of engagement that differentiate highly productive workgroups from mediocre workgroups. There's much less wasted energy and interpersonal obstacles."

Friends want to see friends find success and doing it together is even more meaningful and motivating.

Your Job Satisfaction Will Increase

Finding a satisfactory work-life balance can be tough, so when you get to see people you care about all day long, you'll be happier all around.

As Cuallet puts it, "It is good to feel excitement about going to work, as you want to share a story or experience with your friend, this can make your work seem simpler or less boring, and can help each other in the tasks to be done in their workday."

Coca-Cola Company adds, "We will often put up with a less than desirable job role if we love the people we work with and will want out of a 'dream job' if we don't feel like the people we work with support or accept us."

Additionally, as per Executive Lifestyle, "(Friends) can help each other deal with the inevitable workplace ups and downs in a more measured and positive way."

You'll Have More Trust

If you can't trust your friends, who can you rely on? Working with people who have your best interest at heart makes you feel more secure and stable, allowing you to focus on the big picture.

According to Executive Lifestyle, "Having a genuine friend in the workplace makes individuals more engaged with the job, more productive and more willing to push the envelope, because they know someone has their back. It makes us feel safer to take risks and is really important for boosting confidence and when you're confident that can lead to all sorts of positive work outcomes."

Instant Teamwork

The practice of teamwork is important in nearly any workplace environment, but it can take time to develop that bond and flow. When friends are already part of the picture, teamwork is already built-in.

As Cuallet notes, "Having a friend or group of friends will help you feel part of the team, talk about your problems and successes, foster a positive environment, benefit you individually as well as the company, creating a network of happy employees."

As per Coca-Cola Company, a university study found that, "Friendships outperformed acquaintances on all tasks because they were committed to communicating better while working and gave continuous feedback. Plus, they gave more critical feedback."

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Friendships are workplace-friendly indeed. Pal-up and see progress!

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3 ways to stand out without being a show-off

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For the go-getters and high-achievers, standing out at work is in their DNA. Blending in and being average is not good enough for those who want to climb high to reach new levels in their careers. Whether you want to impress the manager or boss, be someone your co-workers look up to, or simply want to push yourself to be your best, standing out at work is the way to shine by proving your worth.

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