Career Reminder: Very Few Jobs are Worse than Unemployment

Let me say it again: don't quit your job before you have another one.

I had lunch the other day with a long-time friend. He was once even my boss. He's the evil person who convinced me to move to Michigan. ;-)

Anyway, we talked about his recent decision to quit his job (I'd guess his pay was in the $150k range) without having another one. Yep, he hated it so much that he "just had to get out." It was so bad that he quit before having anything else lined up. Guess what -- nothing else has come up for him. Guess what again -- he's finding out that having no job at all is way worse than having a job he hated.

I know that it's hard to have a job you really truly hate -- one that sucks the life out of you day after day after day. I've been there -- a couple times. And though it may be so bad that you want to quit with no other job on the horizon, don't do it.

Why? Consider the case of my friend. If he's like other people I've seen quit their jobs without another to replace it, here's what will happen:

1. He'll look around for a bit, feeling secure that he has some money in the bank and sure he'll find a great job soon.

2. He doesn't find anything. Companies aren't hiring, they want to pay him $75k per year, he's too old, he has too much experience, etc.

3. The money starts running out. Desperation starts to sink in.

4. He'll take anything close to reasonable at this point. he has to have something as his family is now on shaky financial footing.

5. He eventually takes a job paying $120k (if he's lucky) that he ends up liking about as much as his former position. He's doing more work at a lower level and the work itself is less rewarding and enjoyable.

6. So he's now lowered his pay $30k per year, decreased the impact of his raises (a 3% annual raise on $150k is much better than a 3% annual raise on $120k), and is not much happier (if happier at all) than in the previous position. Multiply that $30k+ by 20 years left in his career and you'll see he's made a very expensive mistake.

I've seen this scenario played out over and over again. Yeah, some people buck the odds and end up with a better position rather quickly, but not many.

Here are my thoughts on the issue:

1. Be very, very careful when making decisions that mess with your #1 financial asset.

2. It's much easier to find a job when you have a job. Hang in there while you're looking for something new. And the new place doesn't need to know you hate the old place -- simply tell them you're looking for more opportunity/responsibility/whatever. You can then negotiate your position/salary based on your old job (a position of strength), not as an unemployed job searcher (a position of weakness.)

3. If you want some firm thoughts on how to transition from a job you hate to a better one, check out how I've done it.

Comments

[SMB]

That reminds me, I owe you a belated thank-you. Your September 6th post convinced me around that time not to quit my HORRIBLE job without something definite in the works. It was really hard to grit my teeth and bear it, but I did, and I'm glad. So, thank you!

[beloml]

I find it hard to muster much sympathy for someone who makes $10,000 per month.

[FMF]

SMB --

You're welcome! Glad it worked out for you.

[Anitra]

I have a friend who's in this situation right now. She's sticking it out, but will choose her sanity over the job, if necessary.

I think part of the problem is that a job like that sucks all the life out of you so that you have no energy to job-hunt, too.

[Anitra]

I meant to add: She has worked out an exact plan of what she WILL do (temp work) if she can't stand the job and quits before she's "ready".

[FS]

True. Very true. I quit my first job out of college "Johnny Paycheck" style. It felt great for about a day or two, and then I kicked myself the next 178 days for walking away without any good options. The real kicker: the new job was at a 20%+ reduction in salary! You've been warned: stick it out, no matter what.

[Double Journey]

Having done exactly what you tell people not to do, and been very successful, I still agree with the general notion that you should not quit your job without another one. I found a job FASTER than I wanted to, but for most people that won't happen.

I do make a lot of money, and was fearful of not finding something that paid as much, but I was certain I wouldn't take a huge pay cut (I actually make a good bit more now).

I was very secure financially though. I could go years without a job and probably still be OK. So I knew I wouldn't fall into the trap of having to take something less than I wanted.

[civi]

I am recent college grad and right now I really hate my job, my bosses are a nightmare.

I really want to quit but dont really know the exact way to do nor do I want to give them a 2 weeks notice.

Is it really required that I give them a 2 weeks notice or can I just email them and say I quit?

sorry for going a lil off topic
ps I am interviewing at other places, once I get a offer I want to leave

[Big Cheese]

This is quite simply, excellent advice. Your best chance of getting a large increase is to give the perception that you are happy in your current job.

I was working for a startup making $145 k a year and the job folded. I looked and another company offered me $95K per year. Turned that down. Another company offered $100K. Turned that down. 10 months went by and I started feeling frusterated. I finally accepted a job at $115K a year which hurt but no choices left. It took nearly 3 years to get back up to where I was before the previous job folded.

-BC.

[FMF]

Civi --

It is not required but two weeks notice is a professional courtesy.

[Double Journey]

Civi,

I'll add that while it is never required, it is in YOUR best interest to do it. Here is why.

1) Never burn a bridge. You seriously might never know what happens in life.
2) Future employers can call your previous employers. Most previous employers will not say negative things about you in all likelihood (for legal reasons) except for things that are undeniable facts. Not giving two weeks notice is an undeniable fact, and can be looked on negatively for you by future employers. It shows a lack of professionalism and courtesy, and in competitive job markets, can kill your chances with future employers

In the end its up to you, but I would seriously consider giving them notice.