Answer 5 Simple Questions to Determine If It’s Time to Quit Your Job in 2026 .The quick exercise could set you on the path to success.

auto_graph Career Resolution 2026

Should You Quit Your Job?

9% Want a new job

21% Want more money

Ambitious goals are great, but in a precarious market, it pays to pivot in the right direction. Avoid hasty decisions with this simple audit.

1

Do my tasks at work energize me or drain me?

Assess your daily energy levels.

2

Is the issue workload, lack of recognition, or lack of direction?

Pinpoint the root cause.

3

If leadership changed overnight, would I stay?

Is it people or the role?

4

If the conditions improved, would I stay?

Is the job salvageable?

5

Does this job bring me closer to my goals?

Evaluate long-term alignment.

lightbulb

Expert Advice If salary is the only issue, research benchmarks and have an open conversation with your manager before jumping ship.

Source: Laura Tipping, Career Coach via Kickresume

Thinking About a Career Change in the New Year? Ask Yourself These Five Questions First

Ambitious professional goals often top the list of New Year’s resolutions—and for good reason. According to a recent survey by market research and data analytics firm YouGov, 9% of Americans say they want to land a new job this year, while 21% are focused on increasing their income.

For many professionals, changing roles—often referred to as job hopping—can be an effective way to boost salary, expand responsibilities, and accelerate career growth. However, in an increasingly uncertain labor market, timing and direction matter more than ever. Making a move without a clear rationale can lead to regret rather than reward.

A new report from AI-powered career platform Kickresume offers guidance on how to determine whether the new year should begin with a professional reset. As part of the report, career coach Laura Tipping, who has more than a decade of experience helping professionals navigate career transitions, recommends a simple but powerful self-audit before making any decisions.

The Five-Question Career Self-Audit

Before handing in your resignation, Tipping suggests reflecting honestly on the following questions:

1. Do my day-to-day tasks energize me, or do they consistently drain me?

2. Is my dissatisfaction driven by workload, lack of recognition, or a lack of direction and purpose?

3. If leadership were to change overnight, would I want to stay?

4. If my working conditions improved, would I remain in this role?

5. Does this job bring me closer to my long-term professional goals?

This brief self-assessment can help distinguish between situational frustration and deeper misalignment. In many cases, the desire to quit stems from specific, solvable issues rather than the role itself.

Don’t Quit Before You Diagnose the Problem

Tipping emphasizes that understanding why you want to leave is just as important as deciding whether to leave. For example, if compensation is the primary concern, quitting may not be the first—or best—step.

Instead, she encourages employees to research industry benchmarks and salary ranges, clearly document their achievements, and initiate an open, data-driven conversation with their manager about compensation and growth expectations. In some cases, a raise, promotion, or role adjustment can resolve the issue without requiring a job change.

A new year can be an ideal time to reassess your career, but meaningful change should be intentional rather than impulsive. By taking the time to reflect, gather information, and explore internal solutions, professionals can make smarter decisions—whether that means staying put, renegotiating terms, or confidently taking the leap into a new role.