With a strong job market, people have more flexibility to find work that's meaningful to them ... or at least pays more. But handing in a resignation still feels cringey. Why? Old stigma and new 'family' work culture collide, making it hard to quit. Here's how to do it right.

Many of us are still operating with old social stigma in mind. A 'hard worker' got into a job at a company, and then he stayed at that company for 40 years. Yet, jobs and companies don't work like that anymore. Stagnant wages mean advancement happens by leveraging or leaving.

Quitting can also be extra-hard in this era because of the ridiculous notion that your work 'is like family.' Companies have spun this tale. It makes you feel like you need to overwork and over perform without additional pay. It also makes leaving feel like a divorce.

If you're not happy, Harvard Business Review recommends step one is to figure out why you want to quit. Pinpointing why you're jumping ship can help you find the right job next time. Ask are you at the right company? The right position? Positioned for a future you want?

Is it them? Is it a culture that has you working all hours without more pay? Have you noticed a lot of people you like working with finding the exit? Are higher ups making changes without communication? If yes, it's them. A similar job at a different company might be better.

Is it the role? Do you find yourself getting accolades for good work but are bored? Do you feel like your team or boss is a constant nuisance? Do you find yourself commenting on other people's tasks thinking that would be more interesting? It may be the role itself isn't a fit.

Is there growth? Many people who want to leave feel like they've hit the ceiling of what their company can offer. If you look around and there's nowhere to advance but the job you have isn't the future you want, it may be time to leave for a similar job with more opportunity.

Once you've pinpointed why you're quitting your job, it'll make it easier to find another job that fixes the issue you had and convey that to your current company. But before you turn in your notice, maybe see if the issue can be remedied. There's upsides to seniority after all.

If the company or lack of growth is the issue, it's not going to be solved by staying. But if the role is the problem, sometimes you can speak with HR about applying for a different job within the same company. You may even be given priority to interview for the job.

If money is the issue, you can ask for a raise. It's best to write down what additional experience and skills you've gained from when you were initially hired or since your last raise. Be concrete about what you've done for the company to add value and increase profits.