Is That Job Change Really Worth It? 5 Checklists to Avoid Regrets When Deciding to Quit
If you have ever considered changing jobs, you have likely experienced this kind of uncertainty.
“I want to quit, but I don't have a definitive reason.”
“I'm dissatisfied with my current job, but I can't see my next step.”
“What if I change jobs and fail...?”
In Japan, there is still a lingering tendency to view changing jobs as a last resort, and many people have no one to consult when they are unsure about their career.
Therefore, in this article, for those who are wondering whether they should quit their current workplace, I will introduce 5 checklists to determine if there is truly any point in changing jobs.
Please use this as a reference so you don't regret your career decisions.
Please also take a look at this regarding job changes.
Check 1: Has your growth stopped?
Whether you can feel that you are growing in your current job is an important point in determining when to quit.
If you have been feeling this way lately, be careful.
Repeating the same tasks every day with nothing to learn
My skills have hardly changed compared to six months ago
The work is too easy and boring
If you stay in a state where your growth has stopped for a long time, your market value in your career will also gradually decline.
In psychology, there is a concept called 'learned helplessness.' This is a state where, due to continuous experiences where your efforts are not rewarded, you feel that 'nothing will change no matter what I do.'
If the environment is bad, it can even strip away your own motivation.
Check 2: Is there a misalignment between the company's direction and your values?
No matter how good the salary or benefits are, if the company's policy and your values are significantly misaligned, it is difficult to maintain motivation.
Do you have any idea about the following situations?
I cannot agree with the management's decision-making.
Internal logic is prioritized over the customer.
I find myself wondering, 'Why am I doing this job?' more often.
Even if small at first, a misalignment of values with the organization will eventually become a major source of stress.
Some research suggests that empathy with a company's 'philosophy' or 'mission' is more important for long-term employment than visible conditions like 'salary' or 'benefits' (e.g., Self-Determination Theory / Deci & Ryan, 2000).
Check 3: Can you 'concretely' imagine what you want to do after changing jobs?
If you change jobs with only a strong desire to 'quit' and a vague idea of 'what you want to do next,' the likelihood of regret increases.
Specifically, the key is whether you can answer questions like these:
What kind of work do you want to do at your next job?
In what kind of environment could you be more successful?
Why are you aiming for that now?
Before looking at job postings, it is most important to organize your own thoughts.
Changing jobs should be a 'choice,' not an 'escape.' Taking proactive control of your career is the first step toward working freely.
Check 4: Have you truly reached your 'limit' at your current company?
Even if you are dissatisfied with your current workplace, if there is still room to change the environment, it is not too late to try that first.
For example:
Can you request a change of supervisor or department?
Can you negotiate your working style (remote, flex time, etc.)?
Can you gain new experience through a side job or internal transfer?
When you feel emotionally like you 'want to quit right now,' that is exactly when it is important to pause for a moment.
Try to distinguish between temporary stress and structural issues (such as company systems or culture).
Check 5: Do you understand your market value?
A perspective that is surprisingly easy to overlook is: "How am I currently viewed in the job market?"
There are skills and experiences that may be valued internally but do not translate well externally.
You can grasp your market value through actions such as the following:
Check scout messages and offer statuses on job sites
Register with a career coach or professional talent service
Look for side jobs or freelance projects
Additionally, indicators that measure the versatility of business skills, such as the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's "Fundamental Competencies for Working Persons," can also be helpful.
Knowing to what extent you are "someone who can succeed at other companies" is essential for planning your next career strategy.
Summary: There is no "correct answer" to changing jobs, but make a choice you can be satisfied with
There is no single correct answer to changing jobs.
However, if it is a "choice based on your own growth, values, and market value" rather than just "wanting to quit for no particular reason," you should be able to feel satisfied even if things do not go as planned.
Don't rush; it's okay to be uncertain, but try to think through things one step at a time while keeping your own core values in mind.
I hope your job change leads to true "career freedom."
Useful for Job Changes! Popular Agent Services
For job changes from no experience or part-time work: Daini Shinsotsu Agent Neo
Changing jobs without prior full-time experience, or with very little, often comes with a lack of information and anxiety. Especially when considering your first job change or employment in your 20s, finding the right options for you is not easy.
"Daini Shinsotsu Agent Neo" is a job support service that caters to such situations. They specialize in helping people transition to full-time employment from no experience or part-time backgrounds, and they provide strong support to help you take your first step in your career.
Features
A completely free job and career change support service specializing in people in their 20s
One-on-one support from career advisors
Comprehensive job search support including document review and interview preparation
Receive job referrals that exclude exploitative companies
Retention rate after joining a company is over 90% (as of 2024)
Recommended for people like this
People with little experience as a full-time employee or those considering a career change without prior experience
People who want to aim for full-time employment from part-time or post-graduation status
People who don't know where to start with their first job search
People who are anxious about job hunting alone
People who want to identify the right job and workplace for themselves
For second-time new graduates and those in their late 20s, "UZUZ" is also recommended
Changing jobs in your late 20s is a time when it is easy to struggle between "lack of experience" and "age-related barriers." Even if you have the desire to challenge yourself in a new environment, it may feel difficult to take the first step if you lack confidence or information.
"UZUZ" is a job support service specialized for such career changes for second-time new graduates and those in their late 20s. A key feature is that even those who are unsure about their career direction can move forward while thinking about options that suit them together.
Features
Career change support specialized for second-time new graduates, post-graduates, and part-timers in their 20s
Extensive career support averaging over 20 hours
Receive interview preparation customized individually for each company you apply to
Retention rate for successful job seekers is over 93% (as of 2024)
Video courses that are easy to follow at your own pace and comprehensive online support
Recommended for people like this
Those with little professional experience who feel anxious about their future career
Those in their late 20s who are hesitant, thinking it might be too late
Those who want to carefully choose a work style and environment that suits them
Those who struggle with interviews or resumes and lack confidence
Those who feel it is difficult to continue job hunting on their own
UZUZ IT | Employment support to help you aim for a career as an IT engineer from scratch
For those in their 20s who are interested in the IT industry but feel anxious due to a lack of experience, UZUZ IT is an employment support service that provides free assistance from learning to finding a job.
Features
Completely Free: Everything from registration to learning support and job placement assistance is available for free
IT-specialized learning materials: Includes video materials covering the basics of networks, Linux, Java, etc.
Individualized job support: One-on-one support including career counseling, resume editing, and mock interviews
Thorough exclusion of black companies: Only job openings that have been checked for labor conditions and training systems are introduced
Follow-up after joining the company: A system is in place where you can consult via Slack even after you start working, providing peace of mind
Recommended for people like this
Those in their 20s with little full-time work experience (such as recent graduates, second-time new graduates, or part-timers)
Those who are interested in the IT industry but are anxious about self-study
Those who want to think about their career while consulting carefully
People who want to find employment primarily at companies in the Tokyo metropolitan area
Recommended for job changes in your 30s and 40s: "Purpose Dock/Middle"
Job changes in your 30s and 40s are a time when, while you have experience and a track record, you are also required to re-evaluate your values, such as 'what kind of workplace do I want to work in next, and what kind of work style do I want?' Because this is a generation that easily gets lost regarding career direction, career support that faces your true self, rather than just superficial matching, becomes important.
'Purpose Dock/Middle' is a career support service specialized for business professionals in their 30s and 40s. While emphasizing 'alignment of values' with companies, it supports job changes that aim for a 'work style you can be satisfied with' while making the most of your experience.
Features
Career support specialized for those in their 30s to 40s
Preventing mismatches with job proposals that emphasize 'values'
Career design support by advisors with consulting backgrounds
Detailed support for document editing and interview preparation
Meet job openings that match your 'inclinations' and 'lifestyle'
Recommended for people like this
People who have experience but feel they want to rethink a work style that suits them
People who want to choose a new job by prioritizing interpersonal relationships and company culture
People who want to rebuild their career while clarifying their own strengths and inclinations
People who feel stuck in their career but cannot take the first step
People who want to avoid value mismatches with companies
[Job change support specialized for IT engineers] Meiko Career Partners
Job change support that balances career advancement and ease of working
Meiko Career Partners is a job change support service specializing in IT engineers. They carefully listen to your individual skills and career direction to propose the most suitable companies.
Main Features
Personalized career support: They offer proposals that consider not just skill matching, but also your values and preferences for how you work.
Comprehensive application document review and interview preparation: They provide editing for resumes and job history documents, as well as company-specific interview preparation and mock interviews.
Emphasis on work-life balance: They introduce job openings that prioritize a comfortable working environment, such as companies with little overtime or those that allow remote work.
Abundant job listings and private job openings: They hold a wide range of listings from major companies to startups, including many private job openings not available to the general public.
Recommended for people like this
Engineers aiming for career advancement or higher salaries
Those who prioritize a comfortable working environment
Those who feel anxious about the job change process
For high-class engineer job changes, use [TechGo]
For engineers with advanced skills and experience, choosing the next stage is an important theme. The conditions you seek are diverse, including technical orientation, degree of involvement in products, compensation, and freedom in how you work.
[TechGo] is a job change agency specializing in career advancement for high-class engineers. Focusing on private job openings with annual salaries of 8 million yen or more, they support you in meeting companies that match your technical skills and aspirations.
Features
Specializes in job openings with annual salaries from 8 million to 20 million yen
Abundant positions directly under CTOs/VPoEs and technical leadership level roles
Job proposals that match your technical and product orientation
Covers a wide range from startups to mega-venture companies
Assigned dedicated advisors who are well-versed in internal company affairs
Recommended for people like this
Those aiming for positions with technical discretion or decision-making authority
Those who want to be deeply involved in product development at startups or SaaS companies
Those who want to increase their annual income while also valuing job satisfaction
Those who want to challenge themselves at a company in a growth phase as their next career move
Those looking for positions involved in building engineering organizations or technical strategy
Kikkake Agent | Career Change Support Service for Experienced IT/Web Engineers
For those who have gained practical experience as IT/Web engineers, 'how I can grow in the next environment' and 'whether I can be involved in more rewarding projects' are important criteria for judging a job change. To find a place where your technical skills are fairly evaluated and you can leverage your strengths, the presence of a partner with industry understanding is essential.
'Kikkake Agent' is a career change support service specializing in experienced IT/Web engineers. Advisors who are well-versed in the technical field provide consistent support, from career direction and company selection to interview preparation.
Features
Specialized in career change support for experienced IT/Web engineers
Job proposals based on technical stack and career aspirations
Advisors with a field-oriented perspective support the selection process
Supports diverse conditions such as annual income increases and full remote work requests
Matching design that minimizes gaps after changing jobs
Recommended for people like this
Those who want to meet companies that correctly evaluate their skills and achievements
Those who want to grow further in an environment where they can broaden their technical scope
Those looking for positions where they can utilize a modern technical stack
Those struggling with their career design as an engineer
Those who want to prioritize remote work or flexible working styles
For a recruitment agency specializing in digital sales, choose Mer-Career NEXT CAREER
“I want to grow in the SaaS industry,” “I want to change my career to inside sales or CS.”
The perfect job change support service for you is Mer-Career NEXT CAREER.
This service is a professional recruitment agency specializing in “digital sales positions” at SaaS companies and BtoB ventures.
It is chosen not only by those taking on the challenge without sales experience but also by experienced professionals aiming for further career advancement.
Strengths of Mer-Career NEXT CAREER:
Specialized in SaaS/BtoB venture job openings: Possesses a unique network strong in growth companies
Fully supports “digital sales positions”: Covers everything from inside sales and field sales to CS
Staffed by advisors with industry experience: High precision in proposals and interview preparation
Supports self-understanding with a unique inventory sheet: Strengthens your document screening and interview performance
Available completely free of charge: Consultations are welcome; feel free to talk first
Recommended for those who:
Want to work in the SaaS, IT, or BtoB venture industry
Want to find job openings specialized in sales, customer success, and inside sales
Want quality over quantity in matching and to talk with advisors who understand the industry
Are new to job hunting and feel anxious about self-analysis or document preparation
For job changes to sales positions, choose Sales Ladder
While sales positions are attractive for their “interpersonal skills” and the “sense of accomplishment from achieving results,” the industry and job types are broad, making it a field where it is difficult to determine the right fit for yourself. Especially when challenging yourself without experience or when you are worried about the direction of your career, professional support becomes a reassuring weapon.
Sales Ladder is a career change support service specialized for sales positions. From those with no sales experience to experienced professionals aiming for a salary increase, they help design the 'next move' in your career that aligns with your individual skills and aspirations.
Features
Career change support service specialized in sales positions
Numerous job openings that are easy to start even for beginners
Capable of introducing high-unit-price and incentive-focused sales roles
Supports diverse roles such as B2B sales, SaaS, and inside sales
Provides interview preparation and skill consultations tailored to career goals
Recommended for people like this
Those who want to challenge themselves in sales but are anxious due to lack of experience
Those who prioritize evaluation systems based on salary and performance
Those who feel unsatisfied with their current sales style
Those who want to find a company that matches their own sales stance
Those interested in SaaS sales or IT-related products
Wannabe Academy: A Web Marketing School Where You Can Gain Practical Experience
'I'm interested in web marketing, but I'm worried because I have no track record as a beginner...'
For those who want to resolve such concerns, a school that allows you to gain 'practical experience' rather than just classroom learning is a very reassuring presence.
Wannabe Academy is a practical web marketing school where you can learn while handling actual client projects. You can acquire skills that are immediately applicable in the field while touching on a wide range of areas, from ad operations and access analysis to SEO measures.
Features
Curriculum that allows you to gain 'practical experience' based on real projects
Careful guidance through small-group classes and individual support
Covers a wide range of topics including ad operations, SEO, and GA4 analysis
Comprehensive post-graduation support and side-hustle assistance programs available
Supports career planning with an eye toward job changes or freelancing
Recommended for people like this
Those who want to switch to a Web marketing career from a non-experienced background
Those who want to build a track record of practical experience, not just skills
Those who want to acquire projects as a side hustle or freelancer
Those looking for a learning environment that emphasizes practical skills
Those who want to learn at a school with extensive support
For career support specializing in marketing and creative roles, choose Massmedian
Marketing and creative jobs—such as advertising, web, public relations, and design—are highly specialized by role, and general job change services often fail to provide a good match. That is why the presence of an advisor who is well-versed in the industry is the key to a successful career change.
Massmedian is a job change support service specializing in marketing and creative roles. Operated by the Sendenkaigi advertising industry magazine group, it features unique job listings and in-depth matching support that leverages strong ties with companies.
Features
Completely specialized in marketing and creative roles
Holds a diverse range of job listings including advertising agencies, production companies, and operating companies
Careful career counseling by advisors with a deep understanding of the roles
An information network unique to the industry-specialized Sendenkaigi group
Supports various roles such as web/SNS operation, design, and editing
Recommended for people like this
People considering a career advancement or career change to a marketing role
People who want to leverage their experience in the advertising and creative industries to find their next workplace
People who want to consult with representatives who understand the specific circumstances of their job type and industry
People who want to work in trend-conscious workplaces or growing companies
People who want to carefully select a workplace that fits their strengths and preferences
If you want to find your career core, try the coaching service [POSIWILL CAREER]
For those working while feeling uneasy, thinking, 'I don't know if I should keep going like this' or 'I can't see what I want to aim for,' what you need might not be 'job listings,' but a dialogue to find your 'career core.'
POSIWILL CAREER is a coaching service that provides career support without the premise of changing jobs. Through one-on-one sessions with experienced career trainers, they support you in organizing your values, re-evaluating your life priorities, and designing your own unique career path.
Features
Career support specialized in 'self-understanding' without the premise of changing jobs
One-on-one coaching with a dedicated trainer (conducted entirely online)
Ability to articulate your strengths, values, and ideal lifestyle
Designed to help you avoid career confusion even after completing the program
Proven track record with many users, primarily in their 20s and 30s
Recommended for people like this
People who are unsure whether they should change jobs in the first place
People who want to find a work style and values that suit them
People who feel like their career is stagnating
People who feel their focus tends to waver during job hunting
For those who want to pause and think deeply about their future life
Job change support specialized for back-office roles [Backup Career]
When changing jobs in back-office roles, differences in "workplace atmosphere" and "required roles" are often not visible on the surface, making it difficult to judge based solely on job postings. That is precisely why having support from experts familiar with the profession is the key to a successful career change.
"Backup Career" is a job change support service specialized for back-office roles such as HR, accounting, general affairs, and legal affairs. Advisors with excellent understanding of the work for each profession will help you find a "company that fits" based on your skills and aspirations.
Features
Job change support service specialized for back-office roles (HR, accounting, general affairs, legal, etc.)
Careful interviews to understand the job seeker's experience and strengths
Matching proposals that also take into account the company's organizational climate and culture
Document and interview preparation customized by profession
Support for transitioning to back-office roles from different industries
Recommended for people like this
Those who want to deepen their career as a back-office professional
Those who want to be selective about the workplace atmosphere and organizational structure when choosing a new job
Those aiming to step up as a specialist
Those who want to utilize their past experience even if they change industries
Those looking for an environment where they can utilize their HR or accounting knowledge
"ConsultNext.jp" is strong for consulting job changes without prior experience
"ConsultNext.jp" is an agent service specializing in job changes to the consulting industry. They have strong connections with a wide range of consulting firms, including strategy, IT, and organizational HR, and handle many job openings that are open to those without prior experience.
Furthermore, the fact that many of the advisors have consulting experience is a reassuring point. They provide careful support based on realistic information, such as industry insider details, the characteristics of each company, and what is looked for during the selection process.
What are the points that are friendly to beginners?
In particular, the following support is available for beginners:
Introduction of job openings that welcome beginners (carefully selected companies with high selection pass rates)
Selection preparation such as document editing and mock interviews
Support for organizing motivation and career plans
Advice that looks ahead to career steps after joining the company
Even for those who are anxious about their first job change or do not know which firm is right for them, being able to work hand-in-hand with a professional is a great source of peace of mind.
Recommended for people like this
Those who want to change jobs to become a consultant but do not know if it is possible with their own career
Those who are considering changing jobs to a consulting firm
Those who want to know what kind of consulting firms exist besides the major ones
Those who are not thinking about changing jobs immediately but want to consult about their future career
Just a consultation is also OK
They say that even those who are not sure if they will change jobs right now but want to hear about it are very welcome. Since you can consult freely and for free, it is also recommended to use it as a trigger to take the first step.