Quitting W/O Another Job Lined Up

I really enjoyed speaking with Alexander Kjerulf on Show #53 about being happy at work.  It IS possible - and probably even easier to make a reality then you think.  But it also got me thinking that sometimes it's simply impossible.  It's my feeling that once you can't smile at work - or at least feel good about what you do - it might be time to move on. 

Making the decision to quit a job can be tough.  Several years back I put in my two weeks notice WITHOUT having another job lined up.  Some people said I was crazy (I had just gotten married and was carrying a mortgage), others thought it showed courage (nah, just big balls).  In hindsight it was 100% the right decision to make.  Sometimes you just gotta know when to fold 'em.  While I don't pretend to be an expert, I figured I'd share a few things that I made sure I did before I quit.  The road wasn't perfect, but this stuff can help pave it a bit better.

- Quit today? Every single morning I'd tell myself 'today is the day.'  My resignation letter was neatly typed (minus the date) just in case I felt the time was right.  At the end of the day, I'd write down the reasons why I didn't quit on that given day.  You'll be surprised when you see your logic on paper.

- Even my plan had a plan.  You have to plan for three things when you quit without a job lined up: how you'll survive financially, how you will market yourself to find a job, and what you're plan will be if your other two plans fail (I did NOT have this one!).  We'll hit on the specifics of these plans in later entries. You can't plan perfectly, life gets in the way - but prep is key.  We plan for everything in our lives - quitting should be no different.

- Be centered.  If you're willing to quit without another gig, odds are your emotions are all over the place - particularly anger and/or depression.  As impossible as it might seem, you need to try to get youself 'centered' for a period of time before you jump.  You need to have clarity to make sure you're making the leap for the right reasons.  The day you decide you want to quit (see #1 again) - wait a week.  It will feel like FOREVER - but you've been suffering for weeks, months or maybe years - what's a few more days?

- Advice is Overrated.  You can ask friends, family, co-workers and strangers until you are blue in the face.  Only you know how your boss treats you, if you feel accomplished or if something is just simply not clicking.  It's nice to get other perspectives but I'm a big fan of instinct and doing what your gut tells you to do.

- It's a full-time job finding a job.  Bullshit.  A lot of people tell themselves this (me included) and I think it's BS.  If you're driven to jump ship - you will find a way to market yourself while you are still working. There are very rare occassions where it might be true.  All I'm suggesting is that you ask yourself if you're just talking in cliches to give yourself a weak excuse to get out.

A few warning signs that it's time to move on:

- You dream of negative situations at work. It's like working 24 hours straight.
- Your stomach sinks on Sunday at about 4pm knowing that tomorrow's almost here.
- You're taking your work emotions home with you and just being a dick.
- Negative internal dialogue about your boss and co-workers is incessant.

There's so much more to this topic.  We'll cover it much more extensively on a future podcast.  Also, check back really soon for our WorkHack on how to quit.  It's not something you do everyday so we wanna make sure you do it right. 

Again, I'm not an expert and never pretend to be.  I hope you'll leave your comments and thoughts on this issue below.  And please subscribe to our podcast to get the 411 on everything career related.

Comments

[Fall Out Girl]

It's so funny you just wrote this. I think I am quitting this week and am having second thoughts. Everyone keeps saying that it will all work out in the end but right now I just want to take all of my time to look for something new. If anyone needs a graphic designer let me know!

[Jon Kim]

I quit my job, followed my dreams and am living happily ever after. If you're thinking it's time to quit it probably is.

Great blog!

[Stacey]

I quit my job without one lined up and not sure how to tell a new employer why I just quit without a job.

[Cindy]

I quit my job as a convenience store Assistant Manager about 2 months ago. I just wasn't happy anymore and then I caught the District Manager stealing from the deposit. I haven't yet been able to find another job and I've been putting the truth down about why I quit. It has gotten me no where. It's ashame that you can't tell the truth about why you quit because of a bad situation at work that makes you feel horrible and you have to think up a good "lie" about why you quit.

[Andrew G. Rosen]

Cindy - Yup, it's an absolute shame that the truth isn't "good enough" for most employers. You're probably better off leaving out the fact that you caught someone stealing and it made you uncomfortable. While commendable, sometimes fewer details about why you left a job is better - especially if written.

Good luck with your search! Just hold on to the belief that it will eventually work out for the best... I have a hunch it will!

[Julie]

I have quit a few jobs without having another job lined up and although it was really great at the time, because there was no way I could stand any more days at either company, I too don't know what to tell an employer as to why I quit those jobs. I know I have blown interviews before for coming up with 'bad lies' as to why I quit without seeking other employment. I have been in such a rut and am so nervous about this interview I have next week. I really want this job, but don't know what to say if they ask me 'why i left those jobs without having employement lined up' or 'why didn't i look for work while still working'. Any thoughts? Just like Cindy said above, it really is a shame that the truth isn't good enough.

[Andy]

AHHH!!!! Help! lol! Ok, I've been scouring the 'net looking for someone someplace that says that "Yes, you can do it." (Meaning leaving one job without having another lined up.)
I think right now, financially, I am able to do this. I have a good amount saved and have recently moved back with the 'Rents and have a very supportive girlfriend.
Will I be nervous and unsettled once (if) I give the letter? Absolutely, but I think that's because I've always done EVERYTHING by the books and never took chances.
For once I'd like to have the b*lls to do something like this, and maybe here's my chance.

[Andrew G. Rosen]

Andy - Follow your gut and you can't go wrong.

The stomach cramps and sweats will pass and you will look back at how you took the bull by the horns.

There could be lean times ahead, but with the a strong support system and the right attitude, you will create great success. A little luck never hurts too!

If the Jobacle crew can do anything for you - just let us know.

Good luck!

[Pullman]

I finally plucked up the courage to hand in my resignation yesterday. I was totally fed up at work and being messed around. I was working loads of crap shifts and it started taking over my life and it was getting harder and harder to maintain a social life. I am lucky in that I have a bit of money and am living with the folks but its still been quite scary. Until something else comes up I will doubt my choice but I know deep down its the right choice. Life's too short to be so unhappy!

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[michael]

I’ve recently left a difficult job without another one lived up in the wings. It’s the second time I’ve done it. I can already feel energized by the possibilities. Has anyone else left a job without another lined up? How did you navigate the process and manage the uncertain plunge? I’d like to know. That’s why I started an interview blog talking with others who made it work. It’s called Quitter to Winner: http://quittertowinner.blogspot.com. If anyone wants to participate in an interview drop me a note at msjost@gmail.com. I also sent up a Facebook fan page for people to ask questions or post links to relevant articles. Quitter to Winner Blog on FB. Thanks in advance for those who want to participate in the discussion!

[Andrew]

I've been considering quitting for months now and this morning have decided to do it. Great article and advice. I"m going to draft my resignation letter today.

[That Guy]

I quit a high-up position without having something else lined up. Just like the article said, make sure you have the finances to do it. I'd plan for about 6 months of living without an income. I'm now on month 3, despite the fact that I've gone through the entire interview process with a few companies - they have not extended me an offer, yet. There are a lot of unemployed people out there, and most importantly there are much more employed (and unhappy) people who are applying for the same jobs you are. More often than not, the unhappy-and-employed take priority because it is easier to say "I'm looking for a career advancement from my current position" than to say "...yeah I left my job and have been looking for 3 months."

However, if your mind is made up to leave -- and you feel you have strong reasons -- fuck it! Do it! A job is not worth your health, sanity or family.