How bad is it to leave my job with no backup job on the cards?

wherearewe45

I originally joined as it was my first job out of college. I'm good at it and I'm being moved towards a longer term "career" position. I have no interest in the long term prospects of this company or my place in it. There isn't a person to fill my place and my leaving would be considered loss. I don't want to move to a new role within the company, I'm just done with the work and office politics.

I don't have another job offer but I am actively looking. I also have savings to support myself for this full year.

Is this a stupid idea? I'm really just looking for opinions from people who don't know me for an outside perspective.

Ubbquittious

wherearewe45 wrote: »

I originally joined as it was my first job out of college. I'm good at it and I'm being moved towards a longer term "career" position. I have no interest in the long term prospects of this company or my place in it. There isn't a person to fill my place and my leaving would be considered loss. I don't want to move to a new role within the company, I'm just done with the work and office politics.

I don't have another job offer but I am actively looking. I also have savings to support myself for this full year.

Is this a stupid idea? I'm really just looking for opinions from people who don't know me for an outside perspective.

Be grand id say. 9 weeks and u can go on the dole if it doesn't work out. Im just after doing exactly what you're thinking of and I'm sitting by the fire relaxing with a cuppa, not anxiously pacing up and down the room periodically refreshing indeed dot com.

wherearewe45

wherearewe45 wrote: »

I originally joined as it was my first job out of college. I'm good at it and I'm being moved towards a longer term "career" position. I have no interest in the long term prospects of this company or my place in it. There isn't a person to fill my place and my leaving would be considered loss. I don't want to move to a new role within the company, I'm just done with the work and office politics.

I don't have another job offer but I am actively looking. I also have savings to support myself for this full year.

Is this a stupid idea? I'm really just looking for opinions from people who don't know me for an outside perspective.

Its easier to get a job while you have one, you can be choosier and you'll come across not be as desperate.
Its nicer to be able to respond when asked why you want the job, to be able to say you're "very happy, but looking for a new challenge etc" rather than "i need a job".
I prefer candidates who are working than those who aren't. You cant be too prying to find out why they aren't working.

fryup

if you don't like the place and its wrecking your mental health then...leave

B.A._Baracus

Thousands are out of work at the moment with Corona so job competition is crazy. I would recommend keeping your job while you get another.

Sure you could always go on the social welfare. But you could be on the social welfare for 2 years at this rate.

On a sidenote you don't care about the current job anymore so start winding down, not putting in the effort, etc. Do the bare minimum that justifies your job.

dotsman

How long have you been working there?

I quit my job before and took some time off, but I had 11 year's experience under my belt. If you only have 1 or 2 followed by a few months off, a company could look at that very badly (i.e. you couldn't hack the job, or your previous company pushed you out the door after they realised they made a mistake hiring you etc).

The other thing to note is that, obviously, we are in a lockdown/pandemic year. If it takes 6 months to get your next job, they could be the 6 most boring/wasteful months ever. When I quit my job, I did a lot of holidays/traveling both in Ireland and abroad, and I really had a fantastic time. It would be a shame to go six months without working and just spend them sitting on the couch.

All that being said, if you are definitely unhappy with your job, then go for it. There is nothing worse than getting up every morning and saying to yourself "I hate this"

elperello

Not a great idea to start burning up your savings.

You can find better things to do with your nest egg.

I'd say if you can stick it at all keep your head down and you never know things might improve in new role.

There will be office politics in your next job too.

trigger26

wherearewe45 wrote: »

I originally joined as it was my first job out of college. I'm good at it and I'm being moved towards a longer term "career" position. I have no interest in the long term prospects of this company or my place in it. There isn't a person to fill my place and my leaving would be considered loss. I don't want to move to a new role within the company, I'm just done with the work and office politics.

I don't have another job offer but I am actively looking. I also have savings to support myself for this full year.

Is this a stupid idea? I'm really just looking for opinions from people who don't know me for an outside perspective.

I left a job that was wrecking my head years ago without lining up another and I’ve never regretted it, for me it set me on a much better career path. Yes I did go backwards with the job I took after the leap but each role after were a much better fit

Northernlily

I'd normally be one to say, if you don't like what you are doing or feel you have hit a ceiling, it's time to move on. However, that would be a crazy approach in the current environment with thousands out of work.

Better to stick at what you are doing, keep the head down and apply for roles at the same time until things improve. I don't think this will be the last lockdown.

niallers1

It can be stressfull quitting a job without something else to go to and you might end up accepting a job out of necessity.

I'd hold onto the job you have for the pay but be actively looking elsewhere.

Some employers will low ball you if they know you are unemployed and others will be put off that you left your job without having something else lined up. They might think you are flighty and won't hang around with them too.

Whatever you do, do not say negative things about the company you are currently working in. This will go against you.

Greyfox

MikeOxsgreen wrote: »

Its easier to get a job while you have one

Completely disagree with this. When you dont have a job you have loads of time for job hunting and can put extra effort into the search. Job hunting on top of working can be very draining as you dont have as much time to enjoy your evenings. I was in a job i didnt like before and i regret staying there rather than quitting. Also not having a job gives me the fear and makes me far more motivated to get one.

wherearewe45

Few different questions so I'm going to try answer them all here.

In my current role about 7 years.

The office politics is only a small issue, the work itself is a bigger issue for me. The stress is only getting worse.

I'm constantly applying for other jobs but mentally I'm at breaking point where I am currently

I've really started to drop the ball at work and just do the minimum required, just because I don't have the interest and I'm already just going through the motions rather than actively working.

Tell me how

wherearewe45 wrote: »

Few different questions so I'm going to try answer them all here.

In my current role about 7 years.

The office politics is only a small issue, the work itself is a bigger issue for me. The stress is only getting worse.

I'm constantly applying for other jobs but mentally I'm at breaking point where I am currently

I've really started to drop the ball at work and just do the minimum required, just because I don't have the interest and I'm already just going through the motions rather than actively working.

You might benefit from an extended break both to take care of the work stress and simultaneously let you consider alternative options.

Personally I wouldn't give up a role without having a clear plan as to why I was doing it including the reason for taking an extended break away from work before getting a new role if that was something you wanted to do.

Some might scoff at this idea but the mention of stress and then your final paragraph hints at possible mental health symptoms which could be depression related. I am not diagnosing this, merely suggesting it might be worth considering.

I would agree with those that said that the jobs market (outside of specialist roles) could be somewhat static at the moment with everything going on and if you found yourself struggling to get a role then it could compound issues for you.

I'd start by talking to your GP to explore general and mental health and simultaneously start a job search to see what the market is like. Bear in mind, you don't have to apply for or take any job just cause it's out there but will be food for thought for you.

mariaalice

If you have the money you could get any sort of non-stresse part-time job, go back to college do a master's in an area that interest you and aim to change your career.

Wanderer78

wherearewe45 wrote:

Is this a stupid idea? I'm really just looking for opinions from people who don't know me for an outside perspective.

Risky, but it sounds like you're becoming very unhappy in the job, so it could be a good move. Keep an eye on your ego to, you might be good at your job, but companies generally survive just fine, when employees leave. Just give them notice, leave on good terms, as you never know, and it's just professional to do so. Oh and work politics is probably the hardest part of the job, it's a cnut, people can be right arseholes

CruelCoin

wherearewe45 wrote: »

Is this a stupid idea?

Short answer, yes.

theteal

Coming from a bloke who packed in a well paid job to emigrate with nothing specific lined up. . . .eh I think now is possibly the worst time in the history of history to be thinking of doing this.

If the stress is really affecting your health, that's another story but in the current climate I'd be looking for medical help before ditching the job.

When the jobs market is plentiful and the old global pandemic subsides, fire away but right now, with nothing lined up, nope.



Also, a slight aside, the BIL just swapped jobs and has unexpectedly ended up in the Irish version of furlough (no clue what it's called, sorry) straight off the bat. Terrible time for job hunting.

whiskeyman

Stay and be more proactive in looking for a job.
Lots of us are done with office and politics but we keep going.
You don't make it out so bad in fairness.

You'll get politics no matter where you go... even in what you may think is your dream role / company.

Strumms

If the head and the heart are saying go, then go.

While slightly easier to get a job when in a job... it’s easier too to de-stress from a ****ty job by leaving.. having a mini break and starting over...

Bobblehats

May be a good idea I’ve been there. Just remember in such instances it is you; are the server. In which case you want to back yourself up, in case of a crash or a meltdown..

KaneToad

wherearewe45 wrote: »

I originally joined as it was my first job out of college. I'm good at it and I'm being moved towards a longer term "career" position. I have no interest in the long term prospects of this company or my place in it. There isn't a person to fill my place and my leaving would be considered loss. I don't want to move to a new role within the company, I'm just done with the work and office politics.

I don't have another job offer but I am actively looking. I also have savings to support myself for this full year.

Is this a stupid idea? I'm really just looking for opinions from people who don't know me for an outside perspective.

It depends on what other commitments you have. Married/kids/mortgage/car loan/student debts etc..

If you are not encumbered by any of these things, then I would be inclined to make the change now. Life is short.

However you still need €s.

If it were me, and the job was effecting me that much, I'd leave and get a min wage job while considering my career options.

GreeBo

trigger26 wrote: »

I left a job that was wrecking my head years ago without lining up another and I’ve never regretted it, for me it set me on a much better career path. Yes I did go backwards with the job I took after the leap but each role after were a much better fit

The leaving was the best thing you ever did, leaving without somewhere to go wasnts and you were lucky that it worked out.


OP, let your current company continue to pay you to find a new job, leaving with nothing is a terrible decision unless the current job is actively damaging you.
If it is then you should be on sick leave anyway.