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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To quit my job because I've got 9 interviews lined up?

60 replies

SchittttsCreek · 27/10/2021 21:36

A long convoluted story... so I'll try to condense!

I was in the final stages of my degree in very specific field in 2020 in the midst of lockdown. Following this, I got a job that would give me experience, but was not the career the degree was designed for. For reasons such as simplicity, mental health and stress from lockdown (and stupidly dating someone there and thinking it would work out Hmm ) I stayed well over the 6 months I intended to.

I have very little outgoings, and about 15k in savings.

I've applied for every relevant job in my field and up until the end of November have 9 interviews in total.

I am a very overly cautious (and pessimistic) person so part of me is telling myself you don't quit til you have an offer. The other half is exhausted, burnt out, reeling from a breakup with someone I have to work with everyday and downhearted at how I am treated by managers who are less qualified than me (no brag there, I mean in term of the field we're in). I am miserable.

So AIBU to quit in the position I'm in? Is it too risky?

OP posts:
lnsufficientFuns · 27/10/2021 21:38

I would be tempting fate, yes, absolutely you wait

Zarene · 27/10/2021 21:39

I'd quit (and have done in similar circs). Trust yourself as a cautious person that you won't be doing anything rash.

TotallySuper · 27/10/2021 21:39

Don't quit - maybe go off sick or use annual leave to give yourself a break between now and (hopefully) starting a new job

SunShinesBrightly · 27/10/2021 21:40

If you have very few outgoings work out how much money you need for essentials for 3 months and set that amount aside from your savings.
Then resign, relax and concentrate on getting one of the 9 jobs you have lined up.

HikingforScenery · 27/10/2021 21:41

@TotallySuper

Don't quit - maybe go off sick or use annual leave to give yourself a break between now and (hopefully) starting a new job
This
fourminutestosavetheworld · 27/10/2021 21:41

I wouldn't quit. Interviewers always ask when you're available to start and 'immediately' sets alarm bells off IME.

HikingforScenery · 27/10/2021 21:41

What happens if you don’t get any of the 9 positions? Make a plan for that scenario too, if you decide to quit

User112 · 27/10/2021 21:41

Having a job (something to fall back on) makes you more confident and less desperate.

Hold on to that job a tiny bit longer. Just a little bit more.
Good luck for those interviews! Choose wisely 💐

milkyaqua · 27/10/2021 21:42

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Wait until you actually have secured another job, in other words.

AramintaLee · 27/10/2021 21:44

Yeah don't quit until you have something else lined up. As crappy as your situation might be, if you don't get a job out of these 9 interviews... you might feel pretty dejected. Also you'll then start burning through your savings to tide you over which adds financial stress (which I think is one of the worst stresses one can have)

As another poster suggested, maybe use annual leave? Can you take a few weeks off to give yourself a break?

pasturesgreen · 27/10/2021 21:44

Wait. You don't know what the future holds, so don't make any rash decisions you may regret.

Good luck with your interviews!

NeverTheHootenanny · 27/10/2021 21:47

Personally, I wouldn’t quit, I think it puts too much pressure on the interviews and the stress would make it harder for me to perform well.
I would instead use some annual leave/sickness absence to take a break.

PermanentTemporary · 27/10/2021 21:51

Wait. Do the minimum, take some time off if you can, take long lunches. Never quit until you have signed on the dotted line.

TillyTopper · 27/10/2021 21:51

Surely you have nothing to lose by not resigning until you've actually got a signed contract for a new job that you want. I'd stay - many a slip twixt cup and lip and all that.

CharlieParley · 27/10/2021 21:53

I'm a great fan of having FU-money so you don't have to stay when it would be better for you to quit. If your 15 grand is money you can afford to spend on your living costs for six months (and not desperately needed for something else), I would say resign asap. (I am normally very cautious too, but in my view this is exactly the scenario that FU-money is for.)

However, if you are likely to just sit at home and feel miserable and alone, I wouldn't do it until you made a plan for what you're going to do in the time you take off.

DukeofEarlGrey · 27/10/2021 21:57

I’ve recently left a horrendously stressful job with a toxic environment so my opinion will be skewed. I took too long to leave and with I’d done it sooner because the returns on energy, optimism and wellbeing have been massive.

With this bias in mind, I’d suggest the following:

  • Sick leave / annual leave to give yourself an immediate break and invest time in the job search
  • calculate how long your £15k will last. If it’s upwards of six months I would quit now
  • think about how you will tell your story at interview and aim high. You can do better than this and have no need to panic. You may find you present yourself with more confidence and energy once out of the bad job
PrincessNutella · 27/10/2021 22:04

Don't quit. You could have a lot more than nine interviews before you get something new. Or not. But it's always easier to get better pay and conditions when you have a job than when you're unemployed.

Snoopfroggyfrogg · 27/10/2021 22:07

I'd look at the space in between just leaving and carrying on as you are- if it's really awful (and I sympathise about the breakup), you know you have that option, but you just never know what might happen with the recruitment process. You have a great chance with 9 interviews but I wouldn't put myself under that pressure. Can you take all annual leave or even a month unpaid? Just so you are looking for a job whilst still having that backup. You have really substantial savings and that's great but it's only another month until you're hearing back from the interviews hopefully.

When you say quit, I assume you mean just walk out seeing as a months notice would take you to the end of nov anyway? Not sure it's worth it for the effect it might have on your reference/ reputation if it's a small industry. You know you could walk if you really wanted, can you take some solace in knowing that while either taking leave or gritting your teeth for another month?

HalzTangz · 27/10/2021 22:07

9 interviews doesnt mean one or more job offer, so I personally would stick out the job until an offer is made

RachelGreep87 · 27/10/2021 22:08

I wouldn't. Just check out mentally, smile and nod to the managers, do the bare minimum until you can get out

Travis1 · 27/10/2021 22:11

I would and have in similar circumstances. Your mental health is worth so much more.

Practicebeingpatient · 27/10/2021 22:13

It's so much easier to get a job when you have a job. I wouldn't quit until you have a firm offer in writing.

I agree with PPs - take some annual leave during the next few weeks. The odd half day or long weekend here and then will relieve some pressure and help you perform well at your interviews.

AlexaShutUp · 27/10/2021 22:14

You're more employable in work than out of it, so waiting is the wiser option. But it depends on how much you're struggling with the current job. Life is too short to be miserable!!

Snoopfroggyfrogg · 27/10/2021 22:14

I suppose I mean grit teeth/ take leave until this batch of interviews is done. That way you will either, fingers crossed, have an offer, or realistically an idea of how the jobs market is at the minute and how long it might take to get a job if not. If that's the case, you could reevaluate.

GiltEdges · 27/10/2021 22:21

@fourminutestosavetheworld

I wouldn't quit. Interviewers always ask when you're available to start and 'immediately' sets alarm bells off IME.
This. Unfortunately IME you're far more likely to land a new job from the position of being in work than not.
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