What are the pros and cons of quitting or being fired?

Quitting or being fired from your job are both tough experiences. Either way, you’ll need to explain the situation to future employers.

But which is better for your career? It depends. If you’re leaving a job under unfortunate circumstances, it can be a red flag on your resume. However, if you were terminated because of personality conflicts with your boss or failure to accomplish key performance objectives, then perhaps it was for the best.

Here’s an analysis of quitting vs being fired and the pros and cons of each situation.

What is the difference between being fired and quitting?

A fired employee is someone who is officially terminated from their job. This can occur for many reasons, such as not meeting performance expectations, violating company policy, or having a poor relationship with your manager. Generally, a company will give you a “last warning” before firing you and/or provide you with severance pay.

A quitter is someone who resigns from a job. You might choose to quit your job if you dislike it, want to move, or are offered a better opportunity elsewhere. You might also choose to quit if you feel like you’re treated unfairly or if your employer is going through some sort of crisis that impacts your ability to do your job.

Resignations are generally initiated by the employee, whereas firings are usually initiated by the employer.

Pros of quitting

• You find a better job: If you’re unhappy with your job, there’s no point in staying. It’s better to look for a better opportunity. After all, quitting is a great way to show that you’re proactive and confident in your abilities.
• You get to leave on a high note: If you leave your job on good terms, you’ll be remembered fondly as a great employee who helped the company succeed. Your employer might even give you a recommendation.
• You don’t have to explain getting fired: Employers might be more willing to hire you if you left your previous job voluntarily. In fact, “quitters” are often more highly regarded than people who get fired.

Cons of quitting

• You’ll need to explain why you quit: If you quit, future employers will want to know why. It’s important to provide a detailed response to avoid raising red flags.
• You’ll likely have less job security: Since employers prefer to hire people who stay with their jobs, quitting could hurt you when it comes to getting hired.
• You’ll miss out on severance pay: If you get fired, getting severance pay is often a perk.

Cons of being fired

• You’ll need to explain the circumstances: If you’re fired from your job, you’ll need to explain why. Be honest, but avoid sounding too critical of your past employer.
• Your confidence could be shaken: Getting fired might damage your confidence and make you wary of pursuing new opportunities.
• You might not receive severance pay: Getting fired doesn’t always guarantee severance pay.

Getting fired or quitting your job is never easy. But if you can handle the situation with grace, it might not be as bad as you think. Remember, the most important thing is to stay positive and use these experiences as learning opportunities.

Now that you know the difference between being fired and quitting, you can choose the experience that’s right for you. Ultimately, nothing is stopping you from making the decision that’s best for your career.