Help please. Very close to quitting job.

[OverlyFragrant]

As per title, the job has changed beyond all recognition and I no longer get any kind of satisfaction from work.
I won't go into too much detail as it is outing but I just have absolutely no faith in my employer anymore.
I'm considering quitting, its been on my mind for many months now, but I have no job to go to. I've applied, had a few interview but always been pipped to the post.
My notice period is 3 months and I'm so tempted to go fuck it. Only problem is I have rent to pay and 2 dogs to feed.
Any suggestions?

Apply for more jobs.

I sense that you work for the NHS

Can you stick it out for another 6 months whilst saving super hard so you can take a few months off? xx

Civil service.
Imagine training needs being unmet for 3-4 years.
Job descriptions being changed.
Pay review finding we're underpaid but employer openly says we can't afford to pay you for what you do, so instead they take away jobs from you, the one bit of the role that actually motivates.
New senior management coming in and completely reviewing processes which were working perfectly fine, fucks it up and then leaves.
Their replacements have no clue how to get it all back together and somehow make it worse.

Yes I also came to say to check your finances and how long you could cope without a job. If you quit now without a job to go to, wouldn't you be replacing the stress just by a different stressor? How long can you be off sick to still get salary? That could give you some breathing space.

Well I have no savings. I don't earn enough to have any.

It sounds demoralising but I'd stick it out for as long as you can while applying for lots of jobs. It's always easier to find another job while you have one.

Is there any way for you to get involved with reshaping the way your department works or your processes? You may not get additional pay but you would get more experience which could either be helpful when applying for other jobs, or might motivate you more, or might create a new role for you.

As for the training, are the other ways you could access training? Like shadowing other people, having knowledge-sharing sessions or finding other ways to learn it? Could they give you time off/out of your usual work day to spend on this instead?

If you are in civil service, can you get a mentor to look at the roles you are applying for and if there's anything you can do to improve? Check your sick leave policy, how long you can be off sick with full pay. Any internal temporary jobs to get to buy more time for a permanent move?

I’m Civil Service too and feel exactly the same way 😭😡.

Yes get some savings behind you. I felt better having an escape plan

Have you looked for posts in other parts of the civil service?

Don't resign without another job. The 'Golden Rule' - don't give up your income without another one sorted. Poverty is not good. You will quickly regret it, panic and get more depressed when you can't pay rent/mortgage/food/bills Desperation is not a good look, applying for jobs.

Sound out friends/previous colleagues. (They may have ideas, jobs going in their place etc. Can fill you in on the requirements of any post advertised, even put in a good word for you.)

Go on a course to help sharpen up your qualifications ( my relative got a job by doing this. By chance one of the interviewers had met her on said course.)

Don't necessarily think you have to fulfil ALL the detailed requirements of the new job. Many / most may well do. Stress them.

Practice what you want to say at interview - your best 3 relevant achievements eg.

Smile, make eye contact with ALL interviewers as you enter the room. (Smile. Very important, they are going to be making up their minds about whether they can get on with you in the first seconds!)

Finally, don't give up too soon. Many years ago I read a research paper on recruitment. Most men keep applying until they get the job/promotion. Most women give up if they don't get the first 3 or so they apply for/are interviewed for. ( Thinking they are just not good enough.)

Did I say 'Smile?'

Head down , take the money, and you will get through and find something better

Girl, go off sick with stress and anxiety and depression, which it sounds like you have 🥺. Maybe you can get signed off for 6 weeks?

Then save enough so you can leave and have more time to recuperate. Literally buy nothing but save save save. ❤️

Don't go off sick if you can help it. People often ask around informally when contemplating inviting for interview. A record of prolonged sickness etc will stymie your application.

Oh, and don't say anything negative about your current job when applying/ interviewing. That will only alert them that you can't fit in, are difficult to get on with etc etc.
Your reasons for changing jobs have to be positive so 'looking to widen your experience', 'have mastered current role', 'want new challenge, new responsibility.' 'Are really interested in new aspects of advertised role, especially....." etc .

Old saying that it's easier to get a job when in a job applies I think. Keep applying, you'll get there and then you can give your sweet sweet notice in and never look back! Good luck OP.

Wow! I've got friends and family in the civil service and they are happy In their workplaces. It would be my dream workplace and I had no idea it was considered underpaid.
Honestly, if you think the CS is bad, please don't move to the NHS. I have got several colleagues currently off with physical and mental illnesses caused by the stress (high BP, MI, collapsed vertebrae, anxiety).
IMO, (and I'm honestly not criticising you here) if you are "just" "not getting any satisfaction " in a job and feel you are underpaid, then I'd stay in that job but look for promotional opportunities or a different role without giving up your current one.

These days, if work isn't making you ill then I'd say it's worth staying until you find something else.

Also CS has one of the best pension schemes out there.

@LancashireButterPie there are many, many arms of the civil service so just becuase your friends and family are happy with their jobs, it doesn’t mean all areas of the civil service are a magical, wonderful place to work!

Buy this book - Why You?: 101 Interview Questions You'll Never Fear Again by James Reed, it made a huge difference to my interview performance.