Author: Mike Scaletti
One of the most common pieces of advice out there is "never quit your job before finding a new one". It makes sense. It's risky to leave behind the security of a job for the unknowns of the wider world. But is this advice always valid? Today we're going to take a look at some of the reasons doing so might actually be in your best interests.
Note: All of these reasons assume you are in a place, financially, where it is feasible to quit your job without another lined up. It is important that you can continue to take care of yourself when you've left your job.
To Enrich Your Life
If you are financially secure enough to do so, self-enrichment can be a solid reason to quit your job. Let's say you've managed to save up a bit of money, you don't see a significant future, and you want to spend time traveling, volunteering, or pursuing a hobby? As someone who has worked alongside some fantastic recruiters for many years now, let me assure you that not only will they not mind, that type of self-improvement is generally seen as a positive for most candidates.
Plus, when it's time to return to the workforce you will come back refreshed and renewed and ready to take on your next challenge.
You're Struggling to Look For Work
Looking for work can often be a full-time job in and of itself. Between working on your resume or portfolio, browsing job listings, brushing up on skills, writing unique cover letters, and interviewing, a job search can require a massive amount of time and energy.
If you're finding yourself in a place where you think there is no future for you in your current position but you are struggling to dedicate the effort necessary to focus on your job search, it can be beneficial and pay off in the long term to quit without having your next job lined up so that you can focus on finding that job.
You're Ready to Work For Yourself
In all fairness, this isn't exactly quitting without anything else lined up. You do have work you're moving on to, it's just not a job in the traditional sense of the word.
If you're looking to start your own business that is a great reason to quit without having another job lined up. If you've got a business plan in place, the assets and financials lined up, and the contacts made, then go ahead and take the leap! It's scary, but at the end of the day, you'll have to take that first step eventually.
You're Going Back to School
This one can somewhat fall under the category of self-enrichment, but it is distinct enough that I felt it deserved its own category. Education is often crucial to success in the modern work environment, and the bottom line is that whether we think it should be this way or not, certain career tracks and opportunities will be closed off to you if you don't meet some educational requirements.
If you find yourself hitting a wall in your career and the only way around it seems to be holding a higher degree, then quitting your job to pursue that degree can be an excellent decision.
Be sure to take an honest look at the doors that degree will open and contrast that with the money you will spend to attain it. I speak from experience when I say that you do not want to be saddled with an immense amount of student debt for a degree that will likely never come close to earning that debt back.
Your Job is Toxic
Look, toxic workplaces exist. You know it, I know it, and every recruiter worth their salt knows it. If you are experiencing bullying, gaslighting, harassment, or any other type of toxicity in the workplace that is negatively impacting your mental health, it's time to get out.
In an ideal world, you will be able to bear it out long enough to find a new position, but the reality is this will not always be the case, especially because abuse and toxicity can sap your will and ability to invest time and energy into an already taxing job search process. If that is the case for you then it makes sense to get out sooner rather than later. Once you do so you can devote your full attention to finding your next position.
The truth is that the common advice not to quit without another job lined up is often excellent, but not always. I have personally put in my two-week notice at a job that was both toxic and didn't lead anywhere. Luckily I found the Job Shop, where I have been happily employed for almost six years, shortly thereafter!
If you feel it's time to leave your job without a new one lined up, definitely consider signing up with a staffing agency like The Job Shop! We can help take some of the stress away from finding your next role.
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