how to finally quit Your 9-5 Job
As I’ve gotten older, quitting your 9-5 in pursuit of self-employment or freelancing has become trendier.
Growing up, 9-5’s were considered the norm but society has slowly started accepting other non-traditional routes.
I graduated from Clemson University as a civil engineer. I took my first job as a civil engineering consultant in Seattle. One year later, I ended up quitting my 9-5 engineering job to pursue the world of real estate and self employment.
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signs you need to ditch Your 9-5 job
I realized 4 months into my corporate job that I needed to rethink my life’s trajectory.
Engineering didn’t suit my personality so I dedicated the rest of the year to self-discovery and learning what I wanted to do next.
Here are some signs you need to quit your job:
- You’re not being challenged intellectually
- You dread going into work every day
- You live for the weekends
- You feel extremely stressed and on edge when you’re at work
- You’re feeling burnt out and exhausted
- You’d rather be working on your side hustle
- Your dream is constantly in the back of your mind
- You’re constantly trying to find an escape
Do any of those sound like you? Then it might be time to ditch that 9-5! Read on to find out how I did it.
How I Quit My 9-5 Job And What I Should’ve Done Differently
Shortly into my engineering job I started researching other options. I had no side hustle, no secret passions, and only about 8 months left before my self-imposed deadline.
I knew two things. I wanted to work with people, and I wanted a career where the success was directly correlated to the amount of work I did. I honestly can’t remember how, but I somehow landed on real estate.
I dove into books on real estate and came to the conclusion that it had to be my next move.
I called numerous local real estate brokerages for an internship and after many rejections I landed one with Special Agents Realty (if you’re in Seattle, give them a call!).
I am forever grateful for them taking me in and opening my eyes to the world of real estate. Kevin and Linda gave me the foundation and confidence I needed to take the leap from a 9-5 to the entrepreneurial world.
How you can Quit Your 9-5
Going off on your own can be exhilarating, yet scary. I planned my exit for months ahead of time. I actually teamed up with a friend of mine and we decided to quit on the same day in July and then take a two week trip to Cancun to celebrate.
It really helped having a “partner in crime” so to speak. And planning the celebratory trip forced us to follow through.
But, the journey towards quitting required self reflection and growth.
Here are my best tips for quitting your 9-5 job:
Self-reflect
In order to quit your 9-5 you need to have something lined up that you’re passionate about. You have to be excited enough that your current day job can’t cut it for you anymore and you’re willing to go through some obstacles to get there.
If you don’t currently have a side hustle or secret passion, then start journaling, asking your friends and family, taking personality quizzes, etc. to figure out what you want to do.
Read: 47 Lucrative Side Hustles
Scroll Through Job Boards
You don’t have to create a job out of scratch in order to start your own business. There are plenty of roles out there that have job postings but give you the flexibility of self employment (i.e real estate agents, marketers, sales positions, etc).
Take a few minutes each week to scroll through Indeed, Zip Recruiter, and LinkedIn and take notes on what sparks your interest.
Do you find yourself gravitating towards a certain job listing? Dig deeper. What is it that you like about it? Perhaps that is what you need to do next.
Find An Internship
If you’re going to make a huge career move you need to make sure you’ll actually enjoy it.
The best way to do this is to call around and ask to shadow someone! You’ll face some rejection, but eventually you’ll land on someone who’ll open their doors to you.
You can also look for a paid internship but that will be less flexible and harder to find. It took me weeks to find my unpaid internship.
Don’t Feel Guilty
My team at the office was amazing. One of the hardest days of my life was when I had “the talk” with my 3 bosses.
These 3 men hired me when I had gotten my original job offer rescinded. They took a chance on someone from across the country and helped me move to my dream city at the time.
It was difficult to deal with “letting them down” but I reminded myself that it is just a job and I have to prioritize myself and my dreams.
Overbudget
This is where I went wrong. I dove right into real estate thinking I would succeed quickly but it was a slow climb.
I saved $10k to live on but between moving across the country and starting a new business I blew through that within a few months. I would recommend saving at least 8 months of living expenses, but depending on your business you might need 12 months or more.
Read: How To Use The Cash Envelope Method
Set Realistic Expectations
Businesses and freelancing takes time to build. You have to be honest with yourself and set realistic expectations. Don’t think you’ll be an exception to the rule. Ask around- how long did it take your colleagues to be profitable? Adjust your financial plan and budget accordingly.
Figure Out Your Health Insurance Options
When I quit my 9-5 job I was fortunate enough to be able to stay on my parents health insurance, but if you do not have that luxury, you need to include health insurance into your budget.
Read: Health Care For Self-Employed
Take It Slowly
Don’t dive right in until you can fully support yourself. I would recommend either side hustling until you make a substantial income or at least working a part time job before fully committing to your new business.
Find A Support System
Entrepreneurship is lonely. When you’re a new entrepreneur, most people won’t understand why you left a traditional stable job for something erratic life self-employment. Try to remember that it is a mindset that has been engraved in our society for years and they’re just looking out for you.
That being said, there will certainly be times where you feel like you’re all alone. I would encourage you to keep climbing through it and find a few other friends who understand the journey.
Don’t forget about online support either. There are lots of online communities where you can connect with other like-minded individuals.
Believe In Yourself
There will be so many obstacles ahead of you as an entrepreneur so having an unwavering belief in yourself is of utmost importance. Whether you find a mentor or not, at the end of the day you have to carve the path yourself and mindset plays a huge role in it.
Remember- Whatever You Choose Doesn’t Have To Be A Lifelong Career
I think that’s where most people get bogged down. Your next career doesn’t have to last you a lifetime. It should be meaningful enough to help you grow as a person and prepare you for your next role. If you end up loving it enough that you want to stick to it then you lucked out.
But, there’s nothing wrong with career hopping. Every job teaches you something new and gets you one step closer to your ideal career. For some of us, this journey takes longer than for others. Some of you might discover your passions in the very first job you get and stay there for 30 years. Some of you might want to career hop!
Quit Your Job In Person
I would highly suggest speaking with your bosses in person. Be respectful and thank them for everything. Try to be as genuine as possible and leave on a friendly note. You should never burn any bridges during your career shifts.
Just Do It
There’s never a perfect time to quit. Stop looking for the right moment. Truth is, it’s going to be difficult and frightening whether you do it tomorrow or six months from now.
But, once you finally pull the band-aid off, your world will open and you will be beyond happy you pulled the trigger.
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