How You Can Leave Your Job When You Don’t Have Another Lined Up
Kristen Michaelides
While a lot of us have begrudging tolerance for our work, there are some (which probably includes you) that scream “I hate my job” either internally or externally on a daily basis.
It’s not just you: according to a recent survey by Survey Sampling International, more than half of Australian workers are unhappy with their jobs.
The obvious option is to quit, right?
But what if you don’t have another job lined up?
What do you do then?
It’s a complicated issue, to say the least, and it’s undoubtedly terrifying to step into the unknown, so here’s some career advice to simplify things.
It’ll give you the information you need to come to the right decision for you.
To quit or not to quit? Understanding where the issue lies
It’s time for self-analysis and to ask the important questions:
- What exactly is bothering you about your job?
- Are your coworkers giving you a hard time?
Toxic workplaces are unfortunately a common reason for people hating their jobs.
If it’s this or a similar reason, try talking to your manager or HR about it, and see if you can work out a solution. Your current employer doesn’t want to lose people who do their job well, not to mention go through the trouble of hiring someone else who may not be as good, so it’s best to give it a shot.
Essentially, you don’t want to jump the gun and end up unemployed for no reason, since being unemployed for long periods can be detrimental to your mental well-being. A lot of people go through a period where work is particularly stressful and difficult to handle, so ask yourself: will this eventually subside?
If you are struggling to cope with the situation but you think that quitting right now is a bad idea, ask your boss for a compromise. Maybe you can work from home a couple of days a week, or stop working overtime if that’s what you’re doing at the moment. Anything really that can make this period more bearable for you?
However, if your problem isn’t resolved, or it can’t be resolved, you gotta do what you gotta do. Yes, it’d be much better if you had a job offer before you left, but your health and safety should come first, no matter what.
According to Seek,
62%
of us don’t believe we’re reaching our full potential
According to Seek,
57%
of us feel stuck in our current positions
So, you decide to resign. What’s next?
Plan it out. Decide on the date of your resignation, and what you’re going to say during the parting interview.
Figure out when the most opportune time is to quit.
- Will you be getting a bonus anytime soon?
- Have you given yourself enough time to prepare your resignation letter and to organise your references?
- Take note of your financial situation: do you have enough money to sustain yourself in between jobs? If not, try to find something temporary to help you through this period.
Once you’ve got that sorted out, it’s time for the job hunt. Many potential employers will ask why you’re currently unemployed, so make sure you plan out what you’re going to say to them during your interview. As long as you leave your job for a good reason as mentioned above, they should understand.
But what if I don’t find anything?
It can be disheartening during this time period; I’m almost certain that you’ll be rejected a number times during your job search. It’s easy to fall into a negative attitude, and it’s even easier to say not to feel too down about it. Instead, I suggest that you use any extra time you have to work on some new skills, whether it be working on your public speaking or your overall writing skills, anything that can help you find a job.
While it may seem you’re at a disadvantage here, there are actually a lot of benefits to your current situation. You can change industries if you want to, and you have time to build up your contacts as well. Also, if your physical and mental health took a toll at your previous job, this is a good opportunity to take some time off and rejuvenate.
What I’m trying to say here is that it is possible to find another job, even if you quit prematurely. It may bring about new challenges for you, but as long as you have enough money to sustain yourself for the time being, you should be able to find one if you continue to apply yourself. Your happiness and overall satisfaction with your career shouldn’t be dismissed as something trivial.
So, take the plunge if you find it necessary, and discover the job that you’ve always wanted.
