You drag your feet walking into the office, counting down the minutes until you can clock out every day. Getting pulled into your boss's office spikes your anxiety through the roof. And those year-end performance evaluations? You're already dreading them.
Face it - you're miserable at work. Things aren't improving, and your job satisfaction is lower than your pay grade.
You have two options:
- Quit now on your own terms
- Stick it out and possibly get fired
I know, neither sounds particularly appealing, and the decision is anything but simple. But one route may be better for your career, finances, and health (both physical and mental), so let's dive in.
"Quitting" vs. "Getting Fired" - Defining the Difference
Before weighing whether to quit or get fired, it helps to level-set what each scenario entails and what you can expect from each. Depending on who you talk to, many people will say one or the other is the best route to take.
So, setting the stage as what we're dealing with;
When you hear someone "quit" their job, it means they actively chose to resign from their position. They assessed the situation and determined the wisest path forward was leaving on their own terms.
Quitting puts the ball in your court - though it does require some strategy if you want to preserve professional relationships and reputations.
Getting "fired" or "terminated" means your employment formally ends at the hands of your current employer. And typically not under favorable circumstances.
As career coach Sarah Johnson explains:
"Deciding between quitting and a potential firing depends entirely on the individual's goals and circumstances. Both routes can unlock new opportunities, but also come with risks that need to be managed."
The bottom line?
Understanding the core implications of quitting versus getting fired is crucial for navigating next steps. The direction you choose can impact your finances, health, career trajectory, and more.
When Quitting Might Be the Smartest Move
So, it is it better to quit or be fired, let's start with quitting and being in control of the process.
Have you reached your breaking point of frustration and burnout? Is the thought of another day in that office enough to bring you to tears?
Before you snap and hurl your computer through your boss's window in a blaze of glory, consider handling things more strategically instead.
Quitting gracefully on your terms comes with a few compelling upsides:
You Protect Your Reputation
Rather than becoming office gossip fodder for how you exploded on the way out, quitting lets you exit diplomatically. You steer the narrative around why you left, which makes you look far more professional.
If you already have a job lined up ready to go, then people and employers will already know you're strategic and organized with your approach, rather than making emotional, off-the-cuff decisions.
You Maintain Control
Resigning allows you to set the timeline for your departure. And you can use this lead time to thoughtfully wrap up pressing projects and pave the way for your successor to take over responsibilities.
It Opens Doors
With careful planning, quitting can catapult you directly into an exciting new role better aligned with your career goals and aspirations.
But before you solidify that resignation letter, pause and truly analyze whether you have the financial bandwidth and professional connections to land on your feet after quitting. The last thing you want is the new job hunt blowing through your savings faster than you anticipated.
What's more, there are risks.
For example, you can't collect unemployment benefits if you quit a job you were earning money in, even if you hated every moment of it. Also, having the mark on your record that you left might make you look bad when dealing with future employers.
Of course, if you have a fair reason, maybe you were abused, there was poor management, and you have proof this was the case, exceptions are made. But if you just quit because you were bored or weren't getting on, this could cause problems in the eyes of prospective employers.
Therefore, you need to approach quitting strategically with both your heart AND head to set yourself up for success. The effort will pay dividends for your next chapter!
When Being Fired is Inevitable
You sense something is off. Tension with your boss keeps escalating. Critical feedback piles up no matter how hard you try. Or maybe the writing is already on the wall that downsizing or restructuring will push you out.
Being fired under negative circumstances is any professional's nightmare. But with some finesse, it doesn't need to torpedo your self-esteem or derail your career permanently.
First, understand why an employer might take this drastic step.
Legitimate reasons could range from not meeting performance metrics or generally poor performance, failing to correct behavior issues, broad company downsizing, or any variety of factors.
Next, if termination starts to seem probable:
Be Proactive About Understanding Why
Don't hide from what's brewing, as scary and as stressful as it may seem. Calmly approach your manager to request a transparent explanation for why your job might end. The feedback, however painful, is valuable for improving in your next role.
Negotiate the Terms of Your Exit
Depending on the circumstances, you may have some leeway to negotiate things like letters of recommendation, a severance package, accessing career transition services, and other elements that make involuntary departure less traumatic.
Counterintuitively, getting fired can spur positive outcomes, too, as terminated employees can leverage the experience to redirect into more fulfilling work. And unemployment cushions the financial blow during your job search.
While bruising, don't allow a termination to crater your confidence. Reframe it as an opportunity to clarify what you DO want from a career. Then, pursue that boldly. This abrupt about-face could launch the next world-changing chapter!
Comparison: Quitting Vs Being Fired - Which is Better for Your Career?
If you're debating quitting versus sticking it out until you get fired, the long-term implications likely weigh heavily on your mind. Is it better to be fired? Should you voluntarily resign?
Will future job prospects be torched? Is one scenario less damaging than the other?
Let's compare the core considerations.
Long-Term Career Impacts
Quitting allows you to retain control over the circumstances of your departure, making it easier to frame things positively with future hiring managers.
Getting fired can feel like a black mark, but it also prompts invaluable self-reflection to get clarity on better career alignment going forward.
What Employers Think
There's no sugarcoating it - 70% of employers perceive candidates who voluntarily quit more favorably.
However, crafting thoughtful responses about a termination during job interviews can mitigate the stigma. You don't want to burn your bridges or quit while acting out of emotion. It's unprofessional and doesn't paint you in a good light, especially when you're working in a connected industry.
Mental Health Considerations
he stress of resigning or being fired can be immense. But it can also be an opportunity to reset your career in a way that feels aligned with your personal and professional fulfillment.
Bottom line?
Approach these pivotal turning points in your career journey with both logic AND compassion toward yourself.
If you're contemplating quitting or believe a pink slip is inevitable, lean into that discomfort. Let it spark awareness so you can make conscious choices, maintain self-confidence, and rebuild your career on your own terms.
Turning the Tables: Your Action Plan
Finding yourself at a career impasse, whether by choice or circumstances outside your control? It happens. The key is responding thoughtfully and strategically.
Follow this five-step blueprint to regain confidence and control:
Reflect with Compassion
Resist spiraling into self-criticism. Instead, conduct an honest self-assessment to pinpoint what fulfilled you and what left you uninspired about this role. Apply that insight to guide future decisions.
Build Your Skills
Level up your existing talents or develop new competencies entirely! Make yourself as valuable as possible and you'll have no trouble securing the opportunities you want to be a part of. Becoming known as the go-to expert in X makes you indispensable.
Depart Gracefully
If quitting or getting fired is inevitable, take the high road. Wrap up pressing items and prepare thorough handoffs to colleagues, ex-employer, and other employees you work with. Your manners here can pay dividends down the road.
Don't forget to be organized! Whatever approach you take, what do you need to do to stay on the side of your now-previous employer? What's your situation with things like health insurance? Are you lined up and ready to receive unemployment benefits?
Then, when you focus on the future, are you ready to meet with potential employers? Are you ready to better your performance issues? Have you got a good recommendation you can use during your applications?
If you don't think things like this through, you'll be stressed, and the whole situation will be messy and difficult for all involved. To get grace, get on top of things, and be in control.
Craft Your Comeback Narrative
Anticipate tough interview questions about why you left. Script responses highlight your strengths while diplomatically addressing any weaknesses. The goal is to frame things as a positive catalyst.
Seek Outside Perspective
An unbiased career coach can offer fresh frameworks for bouncing back. Don't tackle this alone when their guidance could unlock the perfect next chapter. You can do this by hiring a mentor or asking someone who's been through the same process, or if you think you're dealing with an unfair or wrongful termination, you may want an employment attorney on your side.
Here at Mentorcruise, we provide access to some of the best minds, workers, and leaders in the tech world.
So, if you're looking for advice on the best course of action to take, there are few opportunities better than mentors who have worked in the likes of Netflix, Google, Uber, and more.
With strategic planning, any career setback can become a springboard to something even better.
Conclusion
Dealing with the prospect of quitting or getting fired brings a turbulent wave of emotions, logistics, and future triage.
It's easy to catastrophize and assume either scenario spells certain career doom — but avoid going down that mental spiral!
The reality is that neither quitting nor getting terminated precludes you from redirecting towards more fulfilling work aligned with your strengths and passions. Both can actually unlock exciting new trajectories with the right mindset.
If you take proactive steps to care for your psychological health, manage the transition smoothly, and craft a resilient comeback narrative — you WILL harness this apparent setback as a catalyst to build skills, connections, and confidence that transforms your career outlook for the better.
Remember, the power is in your hands to frame these pivotal turning points to your advantage. So stay focused on the positive pathways ahead rather than the discomfort of circumstances behind you.
You got this! Now, go rock that next chapter.
And if you're looking for career advice, next step mentoring, and so much more, check out Mentorcruise today for access to the best leading mentors in tech!