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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if anyone has left a job with nowhere to go

87 replies

Heltonwelton · 24/02/2022 09:08

I'm in a job that I loved for so many years. Worked my way up, had so much experience in the sector here and abroad, but now I hate it.

I dread getting up and starting work, it puts me in such a bad mood and I get annoyed at the smallest things at home and in work. I don't like/agree with the projects I am working on as they've changed in the last 2 years. If I wanted to stay in this job I would have to continue with these projects as that is now what the sector is and has changed to.

I don't have another job to go to but could afford to have a few months looking for other positions or try another sector.

I suppose my questions are (technically not AIBU):

  • Has anyone else done this, and if so what did you say when you gave in your notice?
  • Am I being totally stupid - what if I don't find another job?
OP posts:
Treacletoots · 24/02/2022 17:16

As for what to tell prospective new employers why? The truth.

I've always found honesty and transparency to be very effective ways of sussing out potential employers.

A simple, I'm not enjoying it, it's not the role I expected and I'm.being expected to work on days I've booked as holiday, worked fine for me

It's time we started to worry less about what a new employer thinks, remember you're interviewing them too!

lechatnoir · 24/02/2022 17:18

Yes me 6 months ago. Literally couldn't take the shit any more and decided life's too short for this shit and handed in my resignation. I kept it factual - not the job I'd hoped for, taking some time out for my sanity family and exploring other avenues basically vague and non-committal.
My plan was to temp for a few months whilst I worked out what to do next (didn't want to return to the same sector) but in the end I applied for my current job a week later and was only off for 3 (glorious!) weeks. I LOVE my new job but would never have even seen the ads if I was still employed let alone though to apply for it - the fear of being out of a job soon forces you out of your comfort zone. If you can afford it, do it. Life is definitely too short and I just can't believe how long I stuck it out at my old place.

Chely · 24/02/2022 17:22

Only when made redundant. It was much harder finding work as unemployed than it was when employed.

Emmivee · 24/02/2022 17:32

I’ve literally just done this!

Admittedly, my previous job (nursing) was making me really unwell, crying every day before and after work. Got to the point where it was my health I needed to protect.

Notice period ran out Tuesday and I was offered a new job yesterday.

I have had to take a massive (14k) pay cut but the bills will still be paid and it’ll be interesting for DH to be the higher earner for a while!

I think if you’re not too fussy about what job, and can afford a period off time without an income it can work, certainly, everyone has said how I seem like a new person these last few weeks.

HangOnToYourself · 24/02/2022 17:35

I would never do this unless I was absolutely desperate and work was making me depressed as I think you could just start applying now and have something lined up, why take the risk?

MushMonster · 24/02/2022 17:36

I fully understand how you are feeling.
It is hard to cope with changes that are out of your control.
Look for another job. Do not leave without a job at least you are really stressed.
If you are that stressed, take leave based on that. Use the time to look for a job. You do not need to go back if you find another job.
I have seen this done at my current place. It did work rather well for the employee in question.

lakeswimmer · 24/02/2022 18:00

I haven't but a colleague has just done this. She was doing a full on job for several years and just felt she needed a break to clear her head and decide what to do next. I would guess her outgoings are low - no kids and working partner and they could probably manage without her working for a while. Before she'd finished working her notice she was offered a new job which she's accepted, fewer days and less stress. She'll have less money but a better quality of life.

If you can afford it I don't think it's a bad thing at all. Another friend of mine has recently packed her job in to start a business. She'll pick up work in a supermarket to fit around it if she can't make ends meet.

ProfYaffle · 24/02/2022 18:10

Yes. My job had been crazy over lockdown, I was stressed and burnt out. I was hoping to have a few months off before getting something else. As it turned out I had a job offer less than 24hrs after handing my notice in. Been in the new role a few months now and delighted I made the move.

mrsbyers · 24/02/2022 18:17

Yes a couple of times but I knew I had skills and agency connections to find at least temp work quickly

balalake · 24/02/2022 18:25

I did about 25 years ago, had enough money to pay the mortgage and no dependents at the time.

The uncertainty of not knowing when the next pay packet would come, the inability to plan things because of needing to be available for interviews, was probably the worst thing to cope with. I was of course not having to struggle to feed a family.

AwkwardPaws27 · 24/02/2022 18:30

I've never been able to (financially), but I have taken a far from perfect job as a stop gap.

I started having debilitating panic attacks on busy trains - I live on the outskirts of London and worked in the centre. My commute went from 1hr20 each way to 2-3 hours each way as I was ending up stuck on a platform unable to get onto a train. I just couldn't do it anymore.

Work suggested taking some sick leave but there was no way I was going to overcome it in a few weeks, so I took a job at a local college. I think part of the issue was the amount of verbal abuse I got at work (reception manager at a vets; the abuse was awful but the go-to line from senior management was that its "the nature of the job").

The new job was a bad fit but it gave me an income during the year it took to address the panic attacks, so I could still pay the mortgage.

Sunshinedreaming2022 · 24/02/2022 18:33

I did it when I was 17. Managed to get a job within the week.
I’m considering it now but there’s plenty of supply agency work out there if you need it. Try and save 3 months of expenses minimum then go for it. Might give you push you need to find something else

MondeoFan · 24/02/2022 18:35

I have twice. Both times it worked out well. I had a month off each time between jobs but was offered a job to start before the end of the month.

Frlrlrubert · 24/02/2022 18:42

Yes, left a teaching post last month with nowhere to go, I'd been off sick waiting for an operation and realised I didn't want to go back.

However, we can survive (just) on DH's salary alone, and 'there's always supply' if we got desperate.

I got a 1-1 zero-hours tutoring thing almost instantly, pay is rubbish and they seem a bit scatty, but it will do for now.

If we had needed me employed full time long term I'd have polished my cv and applied for other things unless I absolutely couldn't stand it.

BearOfEasttown · 24/02/2022 18:46

I would NEVER do this. It's extremely foolhardy. Unless you have virtually ZERO commitments or outgoings, and are living with your mum, why would you do this?!

I don't have many dealbreakers when it comes to my DH, but ditching his job with no job to go is definitely one. It would show great disrespect and a lack of care for his family, and is a selfish and immature act.

WhoWants2Know · 24/02/2022 18:48

I have left jobs without any alternatives in place more than once. In my case, it's always turned out well.

Babyroobs · 24/02/2022 19:18

@Treacletoots

As for what to tell prospective new employers why? The truth.

I've always found honesty and transparency to be very effective ways of sussing out potential employers.

A simple, I'm not enjoying it, it's not the role I expected and I'm.being expected to work on days I've booked as holiday, worked fine for me

It's time we started to worry less about what a new employer thinks, remember you're interviewing them too!

I have had 6 interviews since leaving my job 3 weeks ago. Not been asked at any of them why I left with nothing to go to.
DrDreReturns · 24/02/2022 20:19

@BearOfEasttown even if it was making him I'll?

MRS54321 · 24/02/2022 20:22

I left a job in my field I couldn’t stand anymore
Took a random admin job for a few months whilst I interviewed and waited for other jobs.
Best thing I ever did. Have a decent paid job now

Tomlettegregg · 24/02/2022 20:26

Done it twice but I had savings the second time and the first time my mum had just died and I had minimal outgoings (21) so I didn't really care about anything else.

cazinge · 24/02/2022 20:31

I was here back in Oct/Nov. I had even written my resignation. DW & I agreed I would wait until after Xmas (just in case I felt better after a week off). Early Dec I was contacted out of the blue by a recruiter had 2 X interviews during Dec and ended up resigning on the last working day before Xmas for my new job which starts on 22 March!!

So, no I didn't do it but I was going to. I would contact some recruiters in your field via LinkedIn and see what opportunities might be available if you decide to resign

D0lphine · 24/02/2022 20:41

Yeah I have.

Woman I worked for was fucking bat shit crazy alcoholic bully. I lasted 2.5 months then jacked it in with no notice whatsoever

mjc12 · 24/02/2022 20:50

Yep! I leave my job tomorrow, no idea what is next but am prepared to rein things in. The anxiety in my job has been too much

LizS16 · 24/02/2022 21:12

Yes, though I had no dependants, a very low mortgage and a husband with a well paid job. I left teaching with no job lined up (although managed to get a new job in the Civil Service before I finished my notice). I think in my CV I wrote that I was looking for a new challenge and thanked them for the experience of working there. You don't actually need to say anything other than that you are going to stop working there.

wingscrow · 24/02/2022 21:57

Yes and more than once;

  • I was being bullied by an incompetent CEO while I was going through some really bad health issues. I left without another job to go to. Focused on my health then found another job,
  • left a job in the probation period because it was nothing like what had been advertised and the company was operating in a really dodgy, unsafe way. I walked out after an unpleasant conversation with a manager and never went back.
  • left a job because I felt physically unsafe. I was working for a homeless charity and we had to support people who could be really aggressive and unpredictable and management did not give a damn about our welfare.

It did not affect my CV or my ability to find a new job and I was never out of work for more than a couple of months. I am in London where it is always fairly easy to find something else.

I think the common thread is that my health and welfare always come first.

You can always do some temping while you think about what you want to do next and look for the right job.

I would first get your CV together, start applying for jobs and also register with a few agencies so you have already started the process before you hand out your notice.