Ask a Career Advisor: Should I Quit My Job or Wait to Get Fired?

Your team members are getting fired left and right. Your personal workload has been steadily decreasing. You just walked out of yet another less-than-positive performance review with your boss.

These are just a few warning signs that you might be on the verge of losing your job, and a difficult position for anyone to be in.

Should you be proactive and quit, or is it better to wait until you get fired? Is one option always better than the other in terms of finding your next opportunity?

We asked Lori Cole, Certified Career Coach and Advisor at iHire, for her advice on how to navigate this tricky situation.

Is It Better to Quit or Be Fired?

“Whether you should quit or stick it out until you’re fired is truly a case-by-case decision,” Cole said. “For example, if you’re in a highly toxic work environment or you’re extremely unhappy in your current role and have no desire to make it better, it’s likely in your best interest to resign.”

It’s also important to consider the nuances between being fired and let go or laid off.

“Being laid off at no fault of your own is one thing. Losing your job because of poor performance is a different matter,” Cole clarified. “The latter is a possible red flag to future employers, while the former – in today’s climate – is not.”

If you’re certain (or very close to certain) that you’re going to get fired, resigning proactively enables you to prepare, leave on as good terms as possible, and stay a step ahead. However, if there’s a chance things could change and you won’t get fired, holding off on quitting could be the smarter and more secure move.

“If you like where you work, have an honest conversation with your manager about your future with the company and how you can turn things around,” Cole suggested. “You may even find that your fears of being fired were unfounded.”

As with any major career decision, keep your financial situation in mind before you resign. Your job search could take months depending on how much competition you have in your target industry, market conditions, and other factors.

“While exceptions exist, you typically won’t be eligible for unemployment benefits if you quit,” added Cole. “Carefully consider whether or not you can be without pay or benefits for a while, or if you can cover the high cost of an alternative like COBRA. There’s also the possibility that you’ll be offered a severance package if you’re fired, though generally unlikely if you resign.”

Explaining Why You Left Your Last Job in Interviews

When you get back into the job market, regardless of the reason, you’ll need to know how to answer why you left your last job in interviews.

Generally, it’s a lot easier to explain why you quit vs. why you got fired – another good reason to resign before you lose your job.

“Whether you decided to quit or got fired, always answer this interview question professionally, positively, and concisely,” Cole advised. “Never trash-talk your past employer or go into a rant about the circumstances, as tempting and therapeutic as that might be. Always spin your answer toward the future and why you’re excited about your next move.”

Determining if it’s better to quit or be fired is not a decision to make lightly. Carefully weigh your options and current situation, and consider talking to a trusted colleague, mentor, or professional coach/advisor before making your next career move.

When you do, iHire’s resources will be here for you to find your next opportunity. Explore more Ask a Career Advisor posts or check out our free on-demand webinar library for additional advice from our experts.