Saying Goodbye To Your Job (Without a New Job)

Ask anyone you know. Odds are they’ll tell you to have a new job solidly lined up before saying goodbye to your job. Quitting a job without a new one is crazy. And that’s pretty much the rule most folks go by. Why risk a paying job when you don’t have to?

But is staying in a job you can’t stand always your best choice? What about that longing for change you’ve felt creeping up on you?  Can you get what you really want by always playing it safe? And what about how a bad job affects your health?

Pros & cons of quitting without a new job

Pros of just saying goodbye to your job

• Of course the biggest plus of just quitting (even without a replacement job) is freedom from what you want rid of. I know from personal experience how great that can feel!
• It’s also hard to job hunt while working. Scheduling interviews, looking for / contacting openings, and the all-important networking can be hard to fit in.
• You don’t have to worry about your boss or coworkers finding out. They may actually envy you.
• Squeezing in a job search while working is not only harder, your appearance and energy often pay the price. Not working lets you feel more refreshed and energized when talking to interviewers and screeners.
• You give yourself time to truly think about and explore your next move so that your new job is much more of a fit for you. Number one step for any job search is figuring out who you are and what you need.

Cons of just saying goodbye to your job

• Once again to lead with the obvious, you don’t have a guaranteed income anymore. For some that’s ok because of ample savings or other financial support. But for many it’s  a risk you would have to decide if worth taking. There is no guarantee a job will come anytime soon.
• Some employers look down on you if you aren’t still employed. Is there something that happened you aren’t telling? So you need a good story that shows your sound reasoning and wisdom in making this career choice.
• It’s easy to get lazy and let the days go by while catching up on Judge Judy or old Law & Order episodes. You need to be really disciplined when looking for a job — whether you’re still working or not.
• You need to find productive ways to fill your days to help assure employers you’re not a goof-off — and to “market” yourself. (Six months or more of Judge Judy won’t do that.)  Find things to increase your attractiveness to employers, such as related volunteer work, industry organizations, or classes / self-education for skills improvement.

Pulling the ripcord and jumping

Even if the pros outweigh the cons for you, saying goodbye to your job feels scary. It’s kind of like jumping from a plane without a parachute that you know will open for sure. And yet there are times when you decide you need to jump.

I’ve done it more than once and managed to land successfully. But I made sure to use the time to connect to people who could get me to my next job. And I usually volunteered in some related organization to help show my commitment to the change.

Most of all, what helped me get past any employer resistance to hiring people not currently in a job was how I told my story. And how I aimed my resume and cover letter to where I was going … and not just where I once was that didn’t work for me,

Some employers may still not find this convincing. But many will give you a chance. Your job is to make it all believable by putting together a strong picture of someone who truly intends to find the right job this time. It helps if you believe it too.

Articles to help

12 Bits of “Insider” Info For Beginning a New Job Search

I Don’t Meet Job Requirements. Should I Still Try?

Will Volunteering During Job Search Get You a Job?

Help! I Want to Return to My Previous Career

 

12 Key Qualities You Should Look For In a Job

What Are Transferable Skills?

15 Job Search Tips To Help You Get a Job

Resume Employment Gaps? How To Get That Job!

 

Why Networking Matters So Darn Much

10 Resume Writing Tips for Stronger Resumes!

How Is a Job Application Different from a Resume?

10 Steps To Match Your Resume to the Job

 

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