Is it always preferable to leave a job with something else lined up?

[Queenofthebrae]

I've been in my job under a year. I was previously made redundant but was lucky enough to secure a new job in my field quite quickly. However I absolutely hate the new job. The workload is massive and is completely unsustainable long term. I regularly have to work extra to "get the job done". I've given it this long but nothing is improving, if anything it's getting worse.

I'm struggling to sleep, gripped with anxious thoughts of things I haven't been able to finish, I'm irritable with my family and I am generally finding little enthusiasm to do anything of an evening or weekend.

I have applied for a few jobs and have today signed up to a recruitment agency too. I also have an interview lined up shortly. My preference would be to give my notice in now and hope I secure something before my notice period ends but DH thinks it would be better to wait until I find something else. What's the answer?

Depends on

Your notice period
Your savings to cope with a gap if it took a while to get another job
The job market for your profession, are their many jobs, would you get them?
Your ability to be able to say why you left early and what the rest of your cv looks like (no one cars about one error in moving jobs but moving frequently isn't great)

I have done it, if you are really stressed then that's a big issue, but these are the downsides

What's your notice period?
If it's 3 months, I can see why it would be tempting to resign now. If one month I think you may be jumping the gun as it can take an age from offer to starting a new job, so you may find yourself out of work while waiting.

You've given it a year, which is enough to know it's not for you, without looking flighty! I presume you've spoken to management about your workload so it shouldn't be a surprise to them if you resign?

It’s always better to look for a job when you have one. So work at it like hell for 3 months and get it sorted - once you added taking action to get out it will feel better.

Obviously I’d it’s making you really sick that’s different, but otherwise just grit your teeth and get through a couple more months.

If you don't need to money every month then yeah, just leave.

Surely it depends on your financial situation. I couldn't afford to leave a job if I didn't have another one to go to.

You haven't mentioned finances, can you afford to risk it? Because, unfortunately that is what it is....a huge risk!
Perhaps your husband is rightly worried about the financial burden falling on him in the middle of a cost of living crisis, perhaps you are one of the trillions of mumsnetters earning 6 figures. Only you know if it is financially viable.
You have managed a year, another 1-3 months shouldn't be a problem, obviously you feel you will find another job quickly so get it done and work your notice. Then feel the relief and put it behind you!

Unless it's so bad it's affecting your physical or mental health seriously, then stay until you have somewhere to go. You look less desirable to employers when not currently working, so it could take a long time to find the new job.

Can you just work your contracted hours even if the job doesn't "get done"?

Most people need an income so can't leave without having a new job lined up. Savings get eroded fast if it takes a while too. Depends if that's an issue for you or not really. If you don't need the cash I'd quit to save my sanity, but that's a privileged position to be in and I don't think many have that opportunity.

I don't think there is a one size fits all in this case it depends on:

• whether you have enough savings and/or a partner that can support you both for a while
• whether there are a lot of job opportunities in your sector
• the length of your notice: if you have a 3 month notice that is going to be an issue for some employers and you might be better off resigning first
• whether you could take some time off (holidays) or go off sick for a bit and use that time to job hunt.

Ultimately your health comes first and no job is worth making you sick.

@Ellmau ''You look less desirable to employers when not currently working, so it could take a long time to find the new job.''

That is just another cliche. I had no issues finding a new job quickly after resigning with no other job to go to on more than one occasion.

There are plenty of perfectly good reasons why people leave a role without another one lined up. Anything from relocation, wanting to retrain, family emergencies, health issues, travelling, wanting a complete change of career and so on.

As a hiring manager I have often had interviewees explain gaps in their CVs in this way and it has never prevented me from hiring some of them.

I think it is ludicrous these days to think that people will always go from one job to another without gaps or massive changes of directions.

I'm 53, have had many jobs and have never gone straight from one to the next. In many of my roles, taking time out for first, second and sometimes third interviews would have been too tricky. I'm fortunate that I have always had savings to bridge the gap but for me, it's definitely been the right thing to do. Employers don't care as long as you explain why you left, and I never slag off my previous employer. In some cases it's been a huge advantage as I could start immediately without a three month gap for them to fill internally.

However I am very happy where I am now and have no plans to leave.

Thanks all. You've given me things to think about that I'd not considered before. I think for the time being I will stay and look for alternative employment and only then hand in my notice. It is only one month I'm required to give.

@HuntingoftheSnark · ''Employers don't care as long as you explain why you left, and I never slag off my previous employer. In some cases it's been a huge advantage as I could start immediately without a three month gap for them to fill internally.''

Absolutely! I had a 3 month notice in my last Job and that was definitely a negative factor with employers. Many won't wait that long of the role needs to be filled quickly.

It is also really tricky to keep getting time off for interviews, although home working and remote interviews have made things a bit easier.