The Exact Time to Quit Your Job, According to Chief HR Officer

We're changing our jobs more than ever, and one career expert has shared her advice to help employees understand when it is time to quit.

Amy Lentz Liberati is the founder of @HackYourHR, an online platform where she shares guidance on career development, job searching and personal growth. The chief HR officer at a global company, Liberati recently used her expertise to help others decide when it is time to leave a job in a TikTok video.

In January, 2.1 percent of workers left their jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Assuming they all moved into new roles, this means an annual turnover of approximately 40 million workers, also assuming no employees change jobs more than once a year.

Key drivers behind the trend include seeking higher earnings and new opportunities. The ADP National Employment Report, released in March, says pay for workers who switched jobs increased by 7.6 percent, a 0.4 percent rise from the previous month and the first jump in about 12 months. Meanwhile, for workers who stayed at their jobs pay gains slowed to 5.1 percent, the lowest increase since August 2021, the ADP data showed.

So when do you know it is time to change your job? Liberati said it is about asking critical questions and getting all the answers you need.

"I can't tell you what questions to ask yourself, but you need to have those so you don't have any regrets," she urged viewers on TikTok in a recent video. For example, if you're looking to increase your salary, did you explore this fully in your current job first?

"While in a job, if every priority is met except pay, acting within your control and advocating for more pay is the logical next step," Liberati told Newsweek. "If met with a negative response, then it's time to look for another opportunity and weigh your priorities against the current job."

It isn't just about money either. Other examples of priorities at work are health coverage, flexible working, autonomy, relationships with co-workers, having a clear career path, developing transferable skills and travel opportunities.

Sometimes finding these things in your job means moving to a new one, but Liberati stressed the importance of getting all the answers from your current employer to improve where you are first.

"Once someone can answer what's most important to them, they can [take] action against what doesn't line up," she said. "I believe increasing our self-awareness is the number one way to advance our goals."

In the comments on her video, people were impressed with the advice.

One viewer said: "Yes! Great way to call out the importance of values and the energetic principles of leading with curiosity."

Another agreed, writing: "This is so good and helpful Amy!"