Quitting a Job Without Another

[The Funktopus]

If I had that much money saved up and I hated my job, then I wouldn't even be asking this. It'd be sort of like that episode of the Simpsons where a director shooting a campaign ad for Mr Burns tells Homer he can help himself to food from the catering truck.

 

[slipd]

I did this. I was teaching, straight after Uni/PGCE and absolutely hated it! Left in a hurry citing my health and anticipated being able to walk straight into another menial job (had savings/no major commitments) with the long term goal of finding a better job on the career path I'd chosen. After a month in the wilderness, as I like to think of it, as I didn't sign on or declare myself unemployed etc. and one or two lazy days in bed, I managed to walk straight into a fairly well payed job in the Civil Service. I was lucky though...

Would I recommend it and would I do it again? Probably not. As my Dad always says, its easier to find work, when you're in work. I think that's how it goes? What I'm trying to say is think about it, don't be rash.

 

[Richdog]

I'm 27 years old, been in what most would consider a great industry and I've made a decent amount of money along the way.

I have about 5 and a half years of living expenses saved up.

I am desperately unhappy in my job. The folks I work with are extremely political and throw you under the bus whenever possible. The work is really unfulfilling and the hours are 12+ hours a day.

I really have had enough, I am currently set on quitting at the end of the day. I said this before but didn't go through with it but am a lot more set on it now. I just wanted to get some other people's opinions to make sure I'm not making a dumb decision.

Searching for a new job while maintaining this one is very challenging. Can rarely get away during the day.

If you work in the industry you say, then you should have the contacts and experience to find another job i the same sector pretty easily without needing to ask people on forums.

Find a new company, set a start date of 6 months, and then go travelling.

 

[anything I don't mind]

Get another job first then resign. Always easier to get another job when you currently have one. Employers prefer employing people who already have a job, than someone who is unemployed.

 

[np89]

Interview this morning went well and they already scheduled a second phone call.

I haven't quit yet. Listening to some of the advice here and just going to stick around as long as I can and then call it a day. Hopefully by then I've either got a new job or at least got several things in the pipeline.

Not necessarily set on staying in this industry no matter what the pay is. I am a sector specialist and sector specific roles come up maybe 4 times a year.

 

[SPG]

Keep working, keep at the grind. Try and keep fit. Retire when you are 40, thank me later.

 

[memyselfandi]

I know two people who quit with nothing to go to in the last year. One was just made annoyed enough over time that he decided he wanted to leave the IT industry completely ... we've not head from him for 9 months

The other left at the beginning of December, had planned to be taking the entire period through Christmas off and start looking for work now. I suspect he wont have any issues getting something else (he's very good at his job)

 

[Nevakonaza]

Personally,i wouldn't quit till i have found another job.

 

[bainbridge]

I know how the op feels, I'm in a similar situation but sadly without the savings

 

[Jacksonn]

I know how this feels, but I'm just coming in earlier and staying lunch times to send out applications and look for other jobs while being paid to be at where I am now. Don't bite the hand that feeds you.

 

[drakioned]

If you want to avoid 12+ hours and political games where you get thrown under a bus then a big bank is not for you.

+1

 

[Phonesis]

I'm considering leaving my current perm role soon to go contracting (work in IT as a developer). Seems to be the way to go for so many industries now. Certainly in IT it seems foolish not to do it if you have the right skill set.

Maybe you can go contracting in your industry? It's worth considering if there's a need out there. The benefit is flexibility above all else. Pitch up for 6 months, take a break, move on.

If you dislike your job that much, get out. You'll be ok. Go travelling, chill for a bit, then hunt for something else. I've always hated the way perm roles tie you down. We shouldn't be tied to measly holiday allowances when we need a break or the need to take stress leave (although a nice option if you are up for the fiddle). I've always thought perm roles should offer you the right to "walk away" unpaid for an extended period if you feel the urge to do something else or go travelling etc. Some places do but it's rare. If you are a key person in your company it would be impossible to find cover for you etc.

The key to happiness is balance. Find it and you'll be laughing.

 

[Aberfala]

Personally I've always tried to keep on good terms with ex-employers just in case you ever want to go back or in case the same people end up working somewhere else with you.

With that inn mind if I was in your situation I'd tell my existing employer I was leaving to go travelling for a year even if I had no intention of doing so.

 

[xGBHxPegasus]

If you want to avoid 12+ hours and political games where you get thrown under a bus then a big bank is not for you.

Agree here. Worked for a big bank in IT and in the end hated it. Was only 2nd line support but they only really cared about stats.... stats stats stats stats.
If you weren't closing 15 tickets a day then you weren't doing your job correctly, that's in a team of 10 so if only 50 tickets came in that day then no-one really made their targets.

 

[Terminal_Boy]

OP, make sure you work your notice period.

You might be able to agree a shorter period that your contract states with your manager/HR as they won't want you sitting around for 4 weeks drinking coffee while surfing job websites.

Don't forget to visit the Job Centre to sign on as unemployed just to maintain your NI status. Expect to be asked why you quit over and over again.

 

[Ayahuasca]

Did it once and regretted it almost instantly, unless the job is affecting your health and well being then just grind it out whilst looking for another.

 

[tlrBeta]

If you want to avoid 12+ hours and political games where you get thrown under a bus then a big bank is not for you.

+1

Banks really aren't that bad, it's all role and manager dependent.

Politics exist in every company really, you will never escape it.

 

[np89]

Did it once and regretted it almost instantly, unless the job is affecting your health and well being then just grind it out whilst looking for another.

This is really what spurred my decision to consider this. I haven't slept properly in probably a month, I've lost about a stone from stress and have a terribly negative outlook. Maybe this is what depression is but I just don't realize it.

I don't have any type of notice period and am an at will employee. That said I'll probably offer them two weeks at best.

 

[zola25]

Banks really aren't that bad, it's all role and manager dependent.

Politics exist in every company really, you will never escape it.

This is very true. The company I work for is a pretty dreadful place to work at times, but my line management are excellent and insulate me from most of the meaningless politics.

Working long hours in a job you hate is soul destroying and poor for your health. Try to spend more time looking for a job whilst gritting your teeth in your current one, but perhaps set a time limit on that and consider leaving only then. Although I'd be inclined to agree with the majority that you should find a new job first, life is too short to be stuck in a miserable job for too long.

 

[DailyGeek]

Quit my job at the end of my tether last year, with my last day being at the end of August. First week of September I was offered one of my dream jobs in a totally different field (from Sales rep to working on Post Mortems!) and it worked out lovely. It could equally have been a nightmare and I could still be unemployed now.

It's easy to say the money isn't important when you have plenty. It's just making sure it stays that way. Good luck!