Quitting with no job success stories??

tk123

Does anyone have any success stories after quitting a job without one to go to that they'd like to share ?? I took a job last month (I applied for a different role to what I'm actually doing) after being redundant for 2 months thinking I could step back into a service desk role (I was a sys admin for 8 years) and I hate it. I haven't touched my redundancy and could afford to take time off if I needed to. I feel like all the study and ms certs etc were a waste of time when I'm logging tickets, resetting passwords and checking boxes for people in outlook etc. I know I'm lucky to have a job but i've known from the first hour that I made a mistake coming here and it's not going to get better with time etc. I cant answer my phone in the new place let alone get time off for interviews. If I leave I'll study and upskill to improve my chances of getting a more interesting role.

puffishoes

I have no statistical proof but i think the it's easier to find a job when you have one is a bit of horse**** these days.

Putting the CV together applying for roles. organising interviews trying to get time off work etc it can be an awful pain in the bottom.

going from sys admin to "helpdesk" like work can be very difficult as you know most people go from helpdesk to sys admin. if you know now this early that it's not for you and your have a few quid in the bank i'd just walk and wait it out and try and find something you're really going to enjoy rather taken any IT job that you're not really interested in.

Mr. Loverman

I have quit jobs in the past without having another job lined up. Worked out just fine.

This was before the economy totally tanked though.

Do you have any dependent?

tk123

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

Do you have any dependent?

Just the dog lol! No rent or mortgage or massive outgoings - I knew I was going to be made redundant for a good year-year and a half so I saved as much as possible and lived in economy mode and still am.
If it was a contract role I wouldn't mind as much because there'd be an end in sight? I have nowhere to progress in here so feel like I'm just wasting my time and theirs.

Mr. Loverman

If you can afford it, if you are genuinely not happy (i.e. it is long term problem and not just because you've had a bad few days)... I say go for it. Sometimes you gotta take a risk to get what you want.

I reckon if I asked Mr. Spock for advice (I do that when I am trying to think things through) he would say stay in your current job while you look for other work, and take sick days for your interviews.

But I can understand wanting to just get out of there.

If I were you I would leave, but I would make a deal with myself that I would use the days off to get another qualification or learn some in demand skill.

Eoin

Personally I wouldn't quit and then look for a job, but I tend to be quite cautious and never had the balls to go out contracting instead of being permanent etc. It might work for some people, but it's not really for me.

puffishoes wrote: »

I have no statistical proof but i think the it's easier to find a job when you have one is a bit of horse**** these days.

Putting the CV together applying for roles. organising interviews trying to get time off work etc it can be an awful pain in the bottom.

When people say that, I don't think they mean it's easier from a practical point of view. Obviously if you're not working, it means you're readily available for interviews etc.

I think it means that you can take your time and hold off for the right job. The longer you're out of work, the more likely it is you'll settle for any job.

tony81

Op, I've done this a few times.. it isn't a good idea at all.
I think you should try to find something to do in the evening that will take your mind off your job being quite so boring, and just keep applying for jobs until something else comes up.

Manach

Generally I'd say keep the job you've until the new one. During the job hunt though taking holiday half days at short notice does tend to be a bit suspicious to managers. Plus study can be done at night (OU courses etc) Has the OP considered discussing more interesting work with the current manager?

Mr. Loverman

Yeah I should mention when I've quit jobs and spent a few months arsing around and then gone for interviews, I am always asked (in a suspicious manner) why I quit my previous job without having another lined up. I've always been honest (I could afford to do it) which has never been a problem.

My current situation: I was in a very stable job where it was impossible to get fired (I'm pretty sure I could have **** on my desk and they would have said well done) but it was a terrible work environment so I quit and am currently in the process of travelling the world. I work in IT as well though, so I know I can walk into another job.

Tool_

It largely depends on how long you can afford to be out of work for and how likely you are to get an opportunity in your preferred role. If you can handle 6 months out of work then go ahead, but I'd be wary of packing it in then be sitting skint at Christmas.

Good luck either way.

Tool_

Also, I did this a few times when in callcentres - literally walked out half way through the day and never went back. Was young and had no responsibilities so wasn't bothered about it, and it turned out grand eventually, but I wouldn't entertain it now.

Rossin

surely you can just use holidays to go for an interview? search and apply for jobs in your free time. I don't see why you'd have to quit?

tbh id sooner call in sick and go for an interview then quit. And if someone wants to call you about an interview they will leave a message and yopu can phone them back on your break.

8 years sys admin experience...you wont be long finding another job...

tk123

Thanks everyone. Studying etc in the evening isn't going to happen - by the time I'm home and brought the dog for his walk and had dinner I'm exhausted and ready for bed! I just don't see a future for myself here - I worked hard to get off the service desk in my last job which is why I'm finding this place so tough - I just don't want to do it anymore.
As for taking holidays/half days for interviews - I'm not here long enough to have them built up! They're not very flexible either, no working from home every now and again like in my last job which I miss.

Rossin

sometimes interviews can be organised for out of hours, for my previous job I was interviewed after work(sys admin job as well!) . You could tell them you have emergency dentist appointment and take the morning off etc, i had to do that the other day, it was real but i could easily have went for an interview!

krd

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

Yeah I should mention when I've quit jobs and spent a few months arsing around and then gone for interviews,

I am always asked (in a suspicious manner) why I quit my previous job without having another lined up. I've always been honest (I could afford to do it) which has never been a problem.

That's a good answer. But often if you've just left a job of your own accord, many interviewers will assume you were sacked.

And there can be a real prejudice against people who are not currently in a job. The whole it easier to find a job when you have a job thing is because there are many employers who will not offer a job to someone who does not have a job.

puffishoes

krd wrote: »

That's a good answer. But often if you've just left a job of your own accord, many interviewers will assume you were sacked.

And there can be a real prejudice against people who are not currently in a job. The whole it easier to find a job when you have a job thing is because there are many employers who will not offer a job to someone who does not have a job.

I think this attitude is a bit 80's to early 90's and is only applicable to certain sector's generally highly skilled/trained IT professional's are not going to have this problem.

But it's a good filter for you also as I wouldn't want to work in a company where the HR/Hiring manager are that backward that they use this technique/filter so it helps everyone all round.

tk123

Well I had a good day today - the relief knowing I'm not trapped there and will be leaving in a couple of months lol! Thanks everyone for the advice!

tk123

Just to update in case somebody comes across the thread in desperation... I had a bad week last week and made up my mind - told them today things weren't working out etc and I wanted to leave. They were fine with it and very understanding - to the point I think they've had the conversation before(!).. But anyways I applied to a couple of jobs last night and can afford to be unemployed for a while if needed - I may never be in a position to do it again so decided to take the chance.

Procrastastudy

Left a job in less than ideal circumstances, started another. Borderline depression working with a very new line manager in a company obsessed with image over substance. Came home had a chat to the wife, went in the next day and quit.

Back at college and love every second. I'm 32 years old in a class with 18 and 19 year olds - I simply don't care (although they're a great bunch!). I've never been happier in my life.

tk123

Update to say thanks to everyone for the advise and support a few months ago.

It's sunday evening and I've had a chilled out weekend - not stressing since Friday out about going into work on Monday morning...Tomorrow will be my third week in a new job that I honestly love. Everyone in the office is sound, it's 20 mins from home and I can take the car (wasn't an option before), canteen is brilliant - I could go on and on about the place. The best decision I made was to listen to my heart and put my well being and health first.

Life is good!