Can I leave my job without having the next job lined up?HELP?!

[maggie6059]

Hello, I would like some advice on my current situation.

I have been working for a very small company for under 6 months (coming up to 4 months). I am unhappy here as I feel there is a lack of support from the management. I would like to leave this job and pursue a career in marketing or a related field (currently I am studying for a marketing qualification). However, I have yet to arrange a new job.

After a month of job hunting, I am being invited to interviews. Given that I am one of 2 employees in my current role, I find it difficult to get to interviews during working hours and struggle to make private phone calls to follow up applications. I feel uncomfortable telling lies in order to leave the office.

Though I am unhappy, I continue to make a positive contribution at work. I feel however that this current position is slowly destroying my self-confidence.

I am very early in my career--Graduated from uni in 1999. How would potential employers look upon someone who has left their job without another job offer?

Please help....Maggie.

[Anonymous]

it is fine to leave your current job without having another job lined up if this is something that you can do comfortably financially. obviously, i wouldn't advice this if you don't have at least 3 months of savings and/or have a lot of financial obligations. in terms of how a potential employer would look upon this, you can always say (which seems like it would be true to an extent) that you decided to dedicate yourself full time to finding a job that utilizes all of your talents, skills in which you feel more passionate about. don't oversell the passionate thing though because an employer will be skeptical. just be honest about your motivations for leaving.

good luck in you search!

[TosaGirl]

I was in much of the same predicament. What I did was utilize my cellphone, that meant the people could call me on that, and I could move to a place the is private from their watchful eyes and ears. I also would schedule the interviews later in the day, like 4:30, 5 if possible. Most employers are willing to do that knowing that your current job will not let you off for the interview. That is what helped me to get around their knowing I was looking for sometime. Of course they figured it out when they saw my cover letter on my computer screen, so be careful and do things as descritely as possible!

good luck on the search!

[maggie6059]

Well ladies and gents....I have done it! Yes, left a permanent, paying job with nothing but temping to go to! Thank you to annon and Tosagirl for your advice.

Tosa, I'm afraid that the cell phone thing didn't work for me because I bought one expressly for the purpose of job hunting and then could not get ANY reception in the area where I work.

At the end, I was not happy with the role or the company. I decided to go for it because if you can't do it when your 25, when can you make such a risky move???

Temping is ok, though the money is crap. I am still getting interviews for marketing roles. Employers, at least at the interview stage, don't seem to care that I quit my last job. Having said that, I still haven't secured a permanent marketing job....so I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again for the advice...maggie.

[Anonymous]

congratulations,maggie. i'm glad that you have left a situation that wasn't working for you, that took a lot of courage. but like you said if not now, when? glad i was able to be helpful. good luck in your job search!

[maggie6059]

Thank you anon.

I do have more than 3 months salary saved (as you advised). And your advice was key to my realising that I can do what I want. It was now or never--and why not now?

Let me know if I can help you in Toronto, Canada (where I'm from) or Birmingham, England,UK (where I am resident).

Best wishes, mags.

E-mail me if I can help.

[maggie6059]

Thank you anon.

I do have more than 3 months salary saved (as you advised). And your advice was key to my realising that I can do what I want. It was now or never--and why not now?

Let me know if I can help you in Toronto, Canada (where I'm from) or Birmingham, England,UK (where I am resident).

Best wishes, mags.

E-mail me if I can help.

[gabi]

good evening..

congrats on quitting your job!..i did the same. It was the best decision of my life. i am your age and did not have anything lined up either, but the economy was NOT on my side. BAD timing, but i know i did the right thing because i was in a toxic situation.

Many people are out of work and marketing could be tough because it is usually the first dept to be gone during an economic downturn, but things work out, eventually. I moved home. IT's ok, but miss my independence and freedom but the RENT and fridge are handy!1....a load has been lifted off my shoulders. Hope this helps.

[Unregistered]

I'm ready to do the same thing. I've been in a direct, full-time job for 2 years, but I'm calling it quits to move to the same state as my fiancee. We've had a long-distance relationship for 3 years and we got engaged a few months ago. I haven't lined up a new job, but I am searching. It's frustrating, but it will all work out.

I realized that I liked having a job, but didn't like the job itself.

Best wishes!