Can I find a job in 8 weeks?

[pinkstinks]

I started a previous thread here about my job and the workload and stress. It has got steadily worse, I have asked for meetings to discuss this and been open about the unfairness of the situation so it is documented.

However it is now to much to bear. I want to hand in my notice on Tuesday when I am back in. I have to give 8 weeks notice and it will be awkward as once you hand it in no one in management talks to you. I'm scared I won't find anything in 8 weeks I keep finding perfect jobs and then not even getting an interview.

It's getting me down I have a degree in sociology lots of office experience and I volunteer and attend courses on domestic violence etc. trying to keep in the loop!

Please tell me it's possible I find a decent job in 8 weeks?!?! And attend interviews in the notice period??

It is possible, but it's not easy. If it were me (and it's not) I would need to find another job first, just couldn't take the risk of not finding something, financially, but you will know what your own margins are. I know people who have just quit with nothing to go to, and I can't afford it. I think it makes you ineligible for benefits for 6 months, too.

If you're not getting interviews, have you looked at your CV and covering letters? Maybe they need rewriting a bit, so recruiters can see at a glance that you match the job requirements.

Thanks all, I am friendly with the recruiters who helped me get this job and they have helpe me rewrite my cv a good few times recently! Also I have been attending courses and started volunteering so I can include this too.

I know what you mean about not having anything to go to as this is what is holding me back however it is so unbearable I feel I am being set up to fail and held accountable for others errors. 10 other have left in the last 6 months and it is just left with all the arse lickers. I would be happy to temp while I continued to look but am worried about being able to pay rent and bills and the gap in between last pay and new job.

I'm getting to the point where I feel the need to put my mental health and well Being first as I haven't for six months to try and keep my head down as its not working..

Well of course it's possible but its not that likely tbh.

If you haven't got enough savings to manage with no job for a while, you are not really in a position to hand in your notice with nothing to go to are you?

How long have you actually been actively looking for something else?

I have been looking for 2months continuously an applied for about 50 jobs. I was advised by the recruitment agency to hold out over the summer as there would be more apportunties in the run up to Christmas. I am petrified of having nothing but am so miserable at work I constantly dread it and feel sick when I think of it. This is so awful I just need to get out and eight weeks is such a long notice period I feel completely stuck. My exzma is back with a vengeance and I feel like I'm falling apart!

It's true, the job market does tend to pick up in September - everyone back from holiday, and it's the start of a new (academic) year. January's another good time.

How much holiday do you have left? A couple of weeks off isn't going to fix anything but might give you a chance to recover enough to face going back until you find something else... and will also give you a chance to focus 100% on job hunting.

You also sound like a visit to the gp could get you signed off with stress if you were prepared to go down that route. Not great when looking for a new job as your sickness record could be disclosed if specifically asked for. If you really are concerned about your health then you should consider this though.

I once handed in my notice before finding a new job as was desperate to relocate. I did get a new job despite everyone thinking I was bonkers! However, I was much younger with fewer responsibilities, wouldn't do it now.