You know that old adage your parents always told you, right? “Never quit a job until you have another one lined up.”
Well, let’s add an asterisk to that statement: “*Unless the work is making you sick, the toxic environment is making you miserable or you’re going to lose your job anyway.” In these situations, leaving is not only fine — it’s the absolute right thing to do.
I did it and lived to tell the tale. A few years ago, I quit my job without having another one lined up. And as I pivoted from internal recruiter to influencer, it turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made for my career — and life.
When I was a recruiter, I was interacting with nearly 150 candidates and 40 clients on a daily basis. I was constantly stressed out, and most importantly, my job was making me sick. Empowering people is my mission, and I wasn’t able to do that in my role as a recruiter. Before working hours, I pursued external writing endeavors as a career columnist, starting as early as 4:30 in the morning almost daily. I was determined to keep both gigs separate, and as a result, my quality of life plummeted.
Truth be told, I got tired of leaving home at 7 a.m. and not returning until 8 p.m., to then pass out every night on my couch. I recall once going to a museum on a Saturday, only to fall asleep on a loud, crowded crosstown bus — in the middle of the day. When the dark unhappiness of your workweek starts to affect the light of your personal life, you know you’re beyond your limit.
If my story is hitting close to home, it might be in your best interest to pursue a similar path. Here are some situations when it’s OK to resign, even before you have another gig lined up.
1. You’re getting sick. For me, the signs were obvious — not only was I sleep deprived and stressed, I had to go on numerous doctors visits that resulted in various medical treatments for conditions I had never experienced in the past. I was downright tired of feeling sick because of my job and not doing anything about it.
I knew there was a bigger plan for my career, but hadn’t quite yet figured out exactly what it would look like. Plus, I needed time away from that intense job to breathe, refuel, strategize a plan for myself and implement it.
This kind of work-induced illness is not uncommon. In October, Harvard University and Stanford University researchers released a study showing that workplace tension can slash up to nearly three years from your life — and that’s no laughing matter. The longer you stick around in a job that’s making you sick, the greater impact it will have on your health.
2. It’s a toxic work environment. Say your boss is downright horrible or you have backstabbing colleagues. When the people or environment are toxic, you’re constantly surrounded by negativity, making it hard to focus on delivering quality work. You may also be feeling miserable and that can start to trickle into your personal life.
You’ve likely already started looking for something else, but that can be extremely difficult when you’re depressed and haven’t felt like yourself in months. Giving your boss your two weeks’ notice could seem like the best thing to do, and in many cases, it is. The writing’s on the wall.
You know that feeling when your gut is telling you something is off. That’s usually because it is. When your boss tells you that layoffs are imminent or your company coyly asks you to write your job description and email it to an external consultant who’s “evaluating inner workings of your department to streamline your workload,” it’s most likely game over.
On the one hand, you may want to stick around for a severance package. At the same time, how will you be able to put the necessary energy and focus into the job hunt if you’re clinging to one that’s likely going to end?
If prospective employers ask why you left your previous job, be straightforward. Tell them that your department was on the verge of being dismantled and you wanted to pour all of your energy into finding a new opportunity.
When I was a recruiter, candidates who provided explanations like that didn’t make me think twice. I was more interested in figuring out how their skills and experiences could be a fit for the jobs I needed to fill as soon as possible.
3. Proceed at your own risk. Everyone’s situation is different. There are many more reasons why it’s OK to leave your job, such as a cross-country move. Or maybe your side job feels like your true calling and you simply have to go for it.
The key to these scenarios involves weighing the risks, rewards and your financial situation. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but there are many situations, like my own, when moving on before another option is presented is the best thing you can do for your career and quality of life.
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Relaxation Exercises for When You’re About to Lose It at Work
When It’s OK to Quit Your Job Without Another Lined Up originally appeared on usnews.com
