Has anyone left a job without a new one to go to?

[JeanSeberg]

I started another thread on this in chat but had no responses...

I have decided it is time to leave my current company after 8 years. I have a 6-month notice period and I'm tempted to hand in my notice without another job to go to. I'm fortunate that I have some financial security and am confident that I could get another job relatively quickly. (I would also be looking to 'downsize' career-wise and can temp in office jobs in the meantime.) I might also be placed on garden leave once I handed in my notice?

Has anybody done this and (a) regretted it (b) it worked out?

Firstly, thank you all for a warm welcome

Loriens, do you have a 'dream' job that we can help you to pursue?

Ironically, I thought this was my dream job and for the most part I have loved it. I have developed my role, achieved promotion, been supported through extensive training including a degree. And now? I'm not sure...

Maybe I am having mid life crisis I turn 43 soon
Fortunately, I can have a little thinking time but I don't want too long. I have already sent off several application forms for a variety of jobs, I think I am having a little confidence crisis and need to see if my CV/ skills will get me somewhere.

Have just read through all the posts on both threads. While the overriding theme is 'it'll be ok' the following points have given me serious food for thought (some more than others):

My age
Single
3 kids
Current job market/economic climate
Experienced senior roles in short supply
Some employers prefer to employ the already employed
Impact on stress levels depending how long it takes to find something, including stress of job hunting

Well, I would say:

• you can't get any younger :) Employers won't know your exact age but you will have certain salary expectations (some of this conversation can be avoided if you're doing day-rate contracting, where age is not a factor in terms of rate)
• single is a plus point, isn't it? No second career to factor in, or adult to support. Is the point that you're the sole earner for your family? It changes the risk profile but there are other factors to take into account.
• two of your kids are at uni, so mostly self-sufficient. I appreciate you want to be able to help them in the future but you don't have to feed and clothe them
• the buoyancy of the job market is different in different sectors. I honestly have had no shortage of offers. Some of them were decidedly mad but any of them would have done in a pinch. However, your mileage may vary.
• experienced senior roles are in (relatively) short supply. Is that your only option? See my comments above about contract work. If it is, you might be better looking around from where you are now. But you need to establish what it is you don't like about the experienced senior role you currently have - which might be easier done at a distance.
• it's true some employers are keener on those currently in work. It depends what kind of job hunting you're going to do. If it's more a question of tapping up your network (as I did) that isn't so much of a factor. More traditional job hunting - well, it's worth thinking about.
• you have a very, very deep financial cushion to help with the stress of job hunting. However, you're also aware that dipping too far into the funds will have long term impacts on your ability to help out your dc, which could be a stressful mix.

Overall, it's a trade-off. There are positive things about a period of downtime, but it's a riskier way of finding work. Don't do it unless you're ready for it, but note that those of us who have done it don't regret it.

I need to catch up in full tonight on this thread for motivation - this week's been really awful at work.

I've just hired the book trib mentioned and starting it this weekend. Has anyone else read it?

I've just downloaded it to my Kindle, will start it tonight. Currently, doing a skills and personality test but it keeps coming back to the sector/profession I already work in

gosh, such similar nagging worries.
Nearer 50 than 40, tick. Single, tick. With dc, tick (2 primary school age). Current job market (teaching) tick - plus profession being conservative and being employed a preference ....
I'm still jumping, though.

Loriens, it may not be that much of a surprise that it keeps trying to lead you back to your current industry. I took voluntary redundancy in 2001, intending to change industry, never look back, etc. But I didn't. After spending some time working things through with a careers consultant a family member put me in touch with (I haven't mentioned him here because I doubt he is still working now) I realised I needed a different kind of change. I actually ended up back in the exact same role I would have got if I hadn't left (only now as a contractor) and it made a huge difference to my ability to deal with it. I knew that it was my choice, and my choice alone, that kept me in the role, rather than pressure from my employer to be there.

So it may not be your industry you need to change, but the way you work in it.

So it may not be your industry you need to change, but the way you work in it.

That's a really interesting way of looking at it and excellent food for thought

I think it's staggeringly shortsighted of any employer to discriminate against job applicants who might not currently be employed. There is no one reason that can be attributed to not being employed. It's merely an area for exploration at interview, and should only be cause for concern if it can't be explained. (Example: once interviewed a chap with a 7 year gap in his cv, which he said was down to an accident that he would rather not talk about. That, to me, was troubling and he didn't get the job, despite being highly rated highly by the other interviewer).

Jean and Ninah - what about fall-back plans if other jobs are not immediately forthcoming - some form of consultancy? Or Ninah - private tuition/supply teaching/provision of after school classes/activities etc?

tribpot

Thank you for your advice, I shouldn't really be surprised I suppose but just wanted to see what other options there are.

Does anyone find it difficult crossing sectors? It's many, many years since I worked in the private sector. I currently work in education but I am not a teacher although I do teach a little.

If I am lucky enough to get an interview how do I explain that I just decided to 'give up' my job.

loriens the explain thing worries me a lot too. Permanent contracts are in short supply here, how could I justify leaving?
fascicle some great ideas. I've already tutored a couple of friends' children and have been approached for tutoring by parents at my school out of the blue which I turned down at the time. I enjoy this and am good at it. I love teaching, that's the irony! also yes I will book in with supply. I'd love to run some summer clubs, I have to be a bit careful as I have my own dc to consider ... but have been approached, again out of the blue, to teach creative writing to adults.
I think I would be much better suited to working for myself in the longer term; teaching in a school has been a bit disappointing from the pov of professional autonomy.

Loriens and ninah, please don't be overly concerned about explaining leaving your jobs - it shouldn't be a deal breaker (and could even be a positive in terms of lack of notice period from a prospective employer's point of view). Be practical - think of the worst questions you could be asked at interview about leaving, and why they might be asked. A prospective employer might want to find out if there were any issues with your previous employment; any weaknesses in your performance; they might question your 'stamina' for the job; your loyalty etc.

From the posts you two have written on this thread, it sounds like there is nothing sinister for interviewers to find out. Loriens - you say you spent 12 yrs with your organisation; developed your role; got promoted; got a degree - that all sounds extremely positive and credible. Ninah - sounds like you've worked in a very difficult environment, but you said you should get a good reference, because your teaching's always been good, despite the conditions you've worked in.

I think it's a question of putting a positive spin on your decision making (without painting a negative picture of your ex employer) - I left x to allow me to pursue y - and giving them something to suggest you've been constructively using your time since, which if e.g. consulting or private tuition which might also reduce the impression of there being a gap in employment.

Oops! Wasn't ready to post - hope you can make sense of last sentence.

Fascicle, thank you so much for the advice. I just don't want it to seem like I have just given up my job on a 'whim'.

Although deep down I think I might have done

some great advice and support, thanks
I am doing a Masters and the odd bit of tutoring, so won't be totally idle Can't afford a massive gap, but as long as I get something a bit more substantial by September we should be OK.

Loriens, don't doubt yourself. I believe that it comes down to putting a positive spin on your reasons for leaving, and being able to say something credible about how you fill your time inbetween jobs. Any decent prospective employer will be focusing on the skills, attitudes, experience etc that a job requires. In the current economic climate, employers/interviewers will be used to interviewing candidates who might have been made redundant etc and may not have continuous employment. If you think about high profile CEOs of private companies - they seem to have no problem being fired and finding other lucrative positions. Your overall credentials are the important ones to take into consideration. Any prospective employer who fixates on a break in continuous employment at the expensive of somebody's talents and achievements would (in my opinion!) be very misguided to do so. As I said previously, I would expect them to ask a question or two about it, so that they can understand the reasoning behind it, but that's it. It might be a different matter if somebody had spent years out of employment and couldn't provide a credible explanation or, if a long gap might mean a candidate was completely out of the loop with regard to industry/job developments, training etc.

ninah - you're filling your time with a Masters and tutoring? I really don't think you have anything to worry about!

Hi Jean, how did you get on with your handing in your notice? Have you had a chance to do it yet?
If so I hope all went well with it. Best wishes and lots of luck.

I did this handed my notice in last week without having a job to go to. As my current job was having a serious impact on my health. Spent a couple of sleepless nights.

This week got offered 2 jobs .

Just checking in to see how OP is faring. Nice to see so many of us in the same situation. I'm curious if anyone is toying with the idea of downsizing drastically and not going back to work (if you can afford it). I think part of my problem is that I'm so massively tired, I just want to have a break from it all. Which is of course unrealistic.

Did you do it, Jean?

Sorry, I'm a bit late coming to this thread, but I wanted to say, yes, I am seriously considering not going back to work. I am intending on resigning in the next month and am not actively looking for another job, nor wanting another job.

To fund this choice we have got rid of the cleaner, reduced the amount we save each month, take a a lot more care about how we spend money, eg days out and holidays. I will also save money on parking, petrol and lunches by giving up work.

I don't think I or others should have to justify this choice either, I feel very lucky to be in a position to do this.

That said, I am only in my late thirties and will have to work again one day, but I fully intend on taking a good few years out - also tired and in need of a rest like you Softcookie.

Jean, and others, any updates?

Hi all, watching this thread with interest as I have had conversation with my manager and we've decided that the sales based role I am in now is not working after 7 months. Whilst I am relieved and happier not having to do it, I am also concerned about what to do next! I am 28 with 19month old DD and significant outgoings per month... DH earns okish, but we could do with me bringing something in as well. I want to work with people and have a first degree in Psychology; I want to do my masters but have no idea how to fund living alongside it! Really want to take the opportunity to move into a more people centred role as my background is in new business (really really don't want to get a job in that field again!!) Temping sounds interesting though......

This thread has been a fabulous inspiration though and although my situation is slightly different, I am really pleased to see that people have not regretted leaving a bad job!

Good luck everyone :)

Just found this thread. I'm planning on leaving without another job to go to. I've had same-old same-old admin jobs for a long time (decades) and am desperate to get away and do something that interests me, while i've still got a decade or so of working ahead of me.
I left my last job without another job to go to, 6 months ago, and had voluntary work lined up to start, in a completely new area of work that i was excited about...then got offered another admin job and took it because it was perfect venue and hours for me. I wish I hadn't taken it now, alright it's a few more months of salary (peanuts) but now I have to talk myself round to leaving without another job to go to all over again. The voluntary role is still there, but I wont be able to start till summer now.

I thought I would revive my thread, can't believe it's over 3 years old.

So it took me a little longer but I eventually resigned in June last year and worked my 6 month notice period, including a 2-month handover with my successor, and finished at the end of last year (December 2016).

I then took some time off with a small amount of temping and this week started a new job.

I must admit I'm struggling. I have no regrets on leaving my old job but I feel overwhelmed in my new company and veer between wanting to leave already/admit I've made a mistake to thinking I need to give it time. I've been really emotional/tearful and never felt like this at work. I can't imagine ever feeling passionate about the products, the company or the role. But I've only been there 3 days!

Is this a normal part of transition/change? How have other found career change, even when it's voluntary?

I loved my time off work and would gladly have retired if it was an option - me and the rest of the world eh?