1. Did you do market research which proves that you are underpaid for this position? Or can’t you live on your current salary?

Many headhunting companies publish online salary guides/salary calculators, in which salaries are broken down by profession and by years spent in the given field (e.g. the yearly Hays salary guide or Randstad salary checker in Hungary). Use Google to search for available salaries in your position, to strengthen yourself that you have a good understanding of your situation in the market.

However, if you can’t live on your salary as you can’t meet your basic needs from it (e.g. food, housing…etc.), then you clearly have to consider changing jobs.

2. Have you already asked for a pay rise at your current company?

If you aren’t really satisfied with your pay at your current company, why don’t you ask your leader if you could get a raise?

Schedule a private, face-to-face meeting with your manager, and don’t forget to prepare thoroughly for this conversation. Why do you see your salary increase as justified? Do you see your salary as low compared to the market average? Has your salary not increased at all or just barely for years? What are some of your proven achievements you did for the company, on the basis of which your salary increase is deserved?

It's worth a conversation. You have nothing to lose, even if you want to leave the company anyway, and even if you want to stay.

3. When did you first feel like quitting?

It helps you to understand the hidden reasons for your desire to change.

Have you experienced being treated unfairly? Did you ask for training with the company’s support, but they didn’t’ give you the opportunity? Do you have an unresolved conflict with your direct leader?

If you find out how and when this feeling of wanting to change jobs has started to develop in you, what provoked it, then you will better understand yourself and your own way of thinking and thus you can get closer to the right solution.

Finding the hidden reason behind your desire to switch jobs, would also be useful for when you apply for other positions. Recruiters and hiring managers always ask candidates why they want to change. Telling them, that money is your only motivator may not go down well with everyone.

4. Did you try to do everything you could to feel good at your current company?

Did you ask for a salary increase, training opportunities, or the possibility to change positions within the company, but it was a blocked road? You even tried to resolve your possible conflict with your colleague/leader and gave your best shot at improving the tough situation you may be in, but nothing helped?  Then, if you decide to leave, it will be with a clear conscience.

It is also possible that you are receiving everything you want from the company, but for some reason you are still not completely satisfied. In this case, it might be worth waiting a bit and seeing if there are other non-work-factors in your personal life that are challenging you lately and that could negatively affect the way you feel and think about your work.