Leaving with nothing lined up?

[hairalert]

I just really want to ask others if they've been through this and get some much needed perspective as I may have lost it.

I'm really unhappy in my job of 2 years, I don't fit into the team culture one bit. I'm pleasant enough and it's not their fault - I just don't. I'm good at the job and really like it. I can afford to leave but I'm so scared and feel paralysed with indecision.

Has anyone else just left with no plan? How did it pan out?

I’ve done it a number of times. It’s always worked out ok- however I do have lots of experience in the area I work in. and I have gone through panics of course that it isn’t going to work. My mortgage is offset and so I have been able to defer my monthly payments if needed.

It depends. If your finances are great and your lifestyle means you can, do.

I never have because I like to have a monkey bar grabbed already.

I wouldn't

You're a lot more attractive to other employers if you have a job

I'd go with the old adage, "it's better to get a job from a job".

I think it all depends on your long term career plan and what you want from it. For me also I have no ongoing expenses like a car etc; and on several occasions I have just needed to get off the bus if you see what I mean. In my view life is too short to stay in a place you’re not happy. But it does depend on your finances and what you want out of life!

I have when I was younger and had a lot less in the way of responsibilities, it worked out fine as I was offered a job almost immediately after handing in my notice (had interviewed a few days before and had no idea there wouldn’t be a more formal interview process). These days even though I have significant experience in my field I’d be incredibly wary due to the current climate.

My mum would always say it's easier to get a job when in a job. That's been my mantra during many shitty jobs.

Just start applying for other jobs then hand in your notice.

I'm trying but I'm having daily panic attacks.

Kindly, getting yourself worked up won't help you.
Deep breaths, just got to get through today.
And keep applying for jobs.

If you are good at your job and you like it, does it matter about the culture?
Go in do your work and leave.

Yes because it's a job where you need good relations with the rest of the team to do the work. They are lovely. It's me.

Completely depend on whether you have enough savings you can depend on until you find a new job and how easy it is to find a new role in your area of work.

I have left jobs with nothing lined up in the past. At the moment though I am sticking with my current one, although like you it is not a good fit, until I find a new job.

If you are struggling to the point where you are having panic attacks though could you book some time off or take some sick leave and use this respite to speed up your job search?

For me it depends on what exactly you mean when you say you can afford to leave, and it also depends in the job/industry.

If you mean you would be fine without your income for 6 months, or if you have a partner who can support you for however long it takes to find a new role, then that’s one thing. If you mean you can afford to not get paid for a month or so, then that’s another thing and in that scenario I wouldn’t.

It does depend on the job/industry as well though, and how you’re going to explain the sudden departure & gap in employment, especially if you’d be looking for the same role elsewhere. Some industries are more bothered about this than others but in general it is always easier to get a job when you’ve got a job.

There are so many variables on this, only you will know if it works for you.

You need to consider your skills, qualifications, how in demand they are, whether you need to stay in a particular industry and the current employment landscape for that industry, minimum salary requirements, benefits, your personal finance situation, your committments.

If you have skills/qualifications in demand, then make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date, excellent, and you're marked as 'open to work'. I'm not looking to change jobs, but always have open to work switched on in case a fantastic opportunity becomes available. I regularly get contacted by recruiters via LinkedIn.

Thanks everyone, think I just wanted to vent really, I know it's all so variable. The advice has really made me think.