Former Microsoft Engineer Shares Simple Test to Decide When to Quit Your Job

Former Microsoft Engineer Shares Simple Test to Decide When to Quit a Job

Kun Chen, a former engineer at Microsoft, Meta, and Atlassian, has shared a straightforward method he used to determine whether it was time to leave his role at Microsoft. His approach, revealed in an episode of Steve Huynh’s podcast A Life Engineered, focuses on personal growth as the key indicator for career decisions.

The “Monthly Growth” Question

Chen told Business Insider that he regularly asked himself one question to assess his professional development: What did I do this month that I couldn’t do last month? He explained that this monthly self-check helped him gauge whether he was still learning and advancing in his role.

After six years at Microsoft, Chen realized he couldn’t answer that question satisfactorily for several consecutive months. He described his work as repetitive, noting that while he could optimize his tasks, the core responsibilities remained unchanged. That’s how I knew I wasn’t growing as much, he said.

Chen emphasized that this test is particularly relevant in fast-evolving fields like software engineering, where artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming workflows. He pointed to Google’s recent announcement that 75% of its new code is now generated by AI, up from 50% just months earlier, as evidence of the accelerating pace of change. The world is changing very fast, and we should constantly question ourselves, he said.

Growth Doesn’t Always Mean Leaving

While Chen ultimately decided to leave Microsoft for Meta (then Facebook), he clarified that stagnation doesn’t automatically require a job change. He suggested that employees who feel they’re no longer growing could first explore internal opportunities, such as switching projects or roles, before considering external moves.

You could talk to your manager about moving to a different project or team where you can learn new things, Chen told Business Insider. However, he noted that in his case, he believed a shift to a smaller company with a different culture and business model would offer greater growth potential. At the time, Facebook’s stock was rising, and Chen saw it as an opportunity to challenge himself in a new environment.

His decision proved beneficial both financially and professionally. After his project at Meta was well-established, Chen returned to Microsoft to help launch a new games platform, applying the skills he had acquired during his time away.

A Broader Conversation About Career Growth

Chen’s approach aligns with broader discussions about workplace satisfaction and career development. His method mirrors advice shared by other professionals, such as career coach Megan Lieu, who has suggested asking, Do I care about growing here? as a way to evaluate job satisfaction. Lieu noted that this question removes external factors like market conditions or personal circumstances, focusing instead on whether an employee sees a future in their current role.

Chen’s story reflects a growing trend among tech workers who prioritize continuous learning and adaptability in their careers. While some employees remain in roles for stability, others are increasingly willing to leave positions where they feel stagnant, even in a competitive job market.

The original article can be read on Business Insider.