Keeping your current job is the ideal until you have another job lined up—but life often falls short of the ideal. Following are some circumstances when you might be wise to quit before finding a job.
Should you quit before you have another job if you are unsafe or burned out at work? Yes. Burnout—or chronic stress, which leads to major health issues—is cited by 28% of employees who leave their jobs without another job in view, according to a survey by Limeade.
Should you quit if you need to help with an emergency? Maybe. COVID was one such emergency when working parents and guardians were left without childcare options and many felt their health at risk. However, consider all your options before compounding an emergency with loss of income.
Should you quit before getting fired? Probably not. If you wait, you may gain time to find another job while you are still working. However, if you are given a choice between resigning or being fired, then resign—it carries less of a stigma.
Should you quit if you are so miserable at a job that it is affecting your physical and mental health? Maybe. First see if you can negotiate shorter hours, a less stressful job in the same company, or even temporary leave. But if you are heading toward burnout, quitting might allow you to recover and free you to concentrate on your job search.
Should you quit if you want to move to a different geographic location? Maybe. Because so many jobs are remote these days, a continuous work history might count more than your physical location to your next employer. In earlier blog posts, you can find advice on applying for jobs while you are outside your preferred location. However, if the move is time-critical (for example, you must be closer to a family member who needs care), you might have to move before you begin your job search.
Should you quit if you want to start a business? Again, the answer depends on your circumstances. If you can develop your business while working—so that you have a few customers lined up and can build a nest egg—then it makes sense to continue working. If you have enough financial and personal support, a clear business plan, and skills or products that are already in demand, it makes sense to quit and concentrate on your new business.
There is one important task you can definitely begin at any time, whether before or after you quit: calling Robin’s Resumes® for advice on how to frame your resume. We will help you present your situation in the best light for your next employer.