Anybody resigned before securing another job?
 

I'm really really tempted to do that. Can't stand my current job scope, culture, colleagues etc. but the money is decent enough.

I'm almost one year into the job but everytime after leave or weekends I really feel like crap.

The job involves shift work so it's really tough to schedule interviews for other jobs, and sometimes I'm asleep during normal office hours so I miss calls from HR people. Been trying for a civil service job (I have a good degree from a local uni, but no luck so far...)

Thinking of quitting to fully concentrate on job hunting, but I know logically it's a foolish move. Financially, I'm ok, I have savings and I don't spend a lot, but I'm more concerned about a 'hole' in my employment history especially since this is already my second job since I graduated in 2013.

Anyone quit before getting another job before? How was the experience like?

Not good time
 

Now is not a good time to leave without a job because not much movement in the last quarter. Tahan until next year after CNY ?

I know how you feel, but I didn't quit before getting another job...in hindsight I should have as I know my current employer won't mind but back then I didn't know.

IMO if it's really affecting your well-being and you don't desperately need the money, just quit. How much it's affecting you only you know.

Be careful. My friend quitted her job and ended up unemployed for 6 months before she found another job. She has a SMU economics degree.

If it's affecting your health, then quit. If not, hang in there until you find another job.

No right or wrong move here. You just need to think about how you are going to answer the next interviewer who will ask you why you quit your current job?? Obviously you can't tell the truth!

If it's the shift thingy that bothers you and hinders you from interviewing... have you tried asking your present employer for a transfer to other job scope? May be possible if you give a logical reason. Not immediately but at least give it a try.

Changing my job scope/department is impossible. This is another reason I want to quit...there's no room for growth/development (which is the reason I'll tell interviewers) and everyone is stuck doing essentially the same thing even if they get promoted in grade.

It's my fault though, it was made clear during the job interview but I didn't think it through carefully.

usually better to tender year end like Dec or Jan/Feb. take bonus first if any.

so far, i've resigned before finding another job on two occasions, my 1st and 4th job. didn't regret doing so and never looked back.

in fact, i regretted NOT doing so for my 2nd and 3rd job! could have taken a proper break before starting the next job. the uncertainty can be scary but at the end of the day, i felt happier and ready to begin the next job having had a good break. and yes, you will also be more flexible with scheduling interviews.

How did you deal with interviewers' questions about the gaps in your employment?

I quit without finding a job once. Took 6 months to secure another job. I needed that break badly then. The break was good. But I have difficulty securing interviews and during the interviews, I have to account for my unemployment gap.

1st - 2nd job: same industry/position - different dept.
they called me during my last week with the 1st company.
reason for leaving: didn't like job scope - feel that it was too specialized and not transferable.

4th - 5th job: same industry/position - different dept.
reason for leaving: pick up different skill set.

A friend of mine quit his job to take a break as he was burnt out. He was good at his investments and now his passive income is more than his expenses. He is now taking his time to get another job. He can afford to pick and choose his employer. If there is no job offer for a job he really likes, he will just continue his active investing. He said he enjoy what he is doing now and he no longer have to work from 8am to 10 pm every weekday and no weekends. Anyway, he is a millionaire.

if current job is too specialized and not transferable doesn't it also mean that you might not have the required skills for the new job?

Now, hiring manager is very concern about your gap in your employment.

Once you are out of the market job, you are out of the race.

This is so sad. Like that how to take breaks in between jobs. I like to have breaks between jobs.

When you sign offer letter with new company just negotiate for a later start date after your last day if you really need the break. If it is not an urgent hire usually HR will be ok

Fear-mongering.
Don't spread this type of nonsense.

Agree. I read with interest why there are people with difficulties finding employment. I could very well be wrong but my take is:

1. Employment history too diverse. Too many disparate jobs in the past and Not enough years in a single type of job

2. Past jobs did not demonstrate job growth. Impt to ensure job responsibilities increase either vertically or horizontally with every new job

Humble opinion is if you belong to either group then try not to quit without a job because it is more risky

However if you have enough years of experience in same/similar roles in well known companies, your risks are somewhat lesser though not immune.

But this is not the same to say once you r out of job you r out of the race. Luck plays a v impt part too

I tendered my resignation before I had anything firmed up to move to, but was made a few offers within my notice period, with reasonable increases in compensation package, mainly because I was pretty much underpaid.

I would only recommend that you do so only if you are confident that your profile and experience is in demand. Also, speak with your partner/parents to be sure you have their support to do this - as your income might matter to them. If you have no financial obligations or worries, it makes the decision to tender without a job to move to an easier one.

An article on likedin on this is not an nonsense

To summary, not to hire anyone not working is HR greatest screening tool to get their workload lesser.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/artic...won-t-hire-you

you mean 1st - 2nd job? yup, but it doesn't matter for entry level. still need to be trained in any case. for newbies, will have more training on all the basic stuff.

hmm that seems to be a problem for me at interviews. i haven't quit my job but when i go for interviews employers seem to think i'm too specialised. i've only been in the workforce around a year, so it's as good as entry level/fresh grad.

it's frustrating till i almost feel like telling them outright sometimes "you can just treat me like a fresh grad, i don't mind." instead of trying to smoke about how my experience can help etc etc.

don't have any basic skills that are transferable at all? display willing to learn and can do attitude. if that still doesn't convince, then they are quite narrow minded. otherwise, there might be better candidates who have relevant experience.

yup, there are some mgmt ppl who are like that, even within the same industry and dept, they take the perspective that candidates should stick with the same area. don't be deterred by such ignorant ppl (if there is no reasonable justification), not every employer has such mindset.