Quitting is for Winners: When to Quit a Job Without a New Job Lined Up

You know what I think is total BS?

The "everyone knows that" advice is that you should never quit a job without a new one lined up. 

It *sounds* smart on the surface, but depending on your situation, this advice could be extremely detrimental to your mental health and even your finances. 

Now, I definitely don't advise going off half-cocked and telling your boss to shove it without thinking, but if you can pull it off financially, some time away from a toxic workplace can give you the focus you need to track down an ideal fit for your next opportunity. You’re probably also overdue for some time to reflect, relax, and pause before digging into your next job. 

Liberate Yourself From That Crappy Job

If you’re not happy in your current job and you have the means to survive without it, you might want to consider quitting the job without a new one lined up. Full-time jobs take up 40+ hours per week, plus a commute if you’re not working remotely at least part of the time. If you’re one of the 35% of people who feel that your job has a negative impact on your mental health, it’s time to weigh the benefits of the job against the feeling you’ll have when you can let go. 

Abusive work environments, long hours, difficult commutes, and unpleasant colleagues are typical reasons people leave jobs in addition to the fact you’ll see meme-ified on LinkedIn: people leave crappy managers.

I have personally left toxic jobs without having a new role lined up 1.5 times in my career. 

• In 2014, I left a job where a toxic leader in the office decided to target me and another employee for reasons I don't understand to this day. 
• The ".5" is that in 2012, I was actively planning to leave a job to rest for a while after a few rough personal things, but I ended up getting laid off before I gave notice.

You should not let your crappy job steal the joy from your life. If your job is causing so much burnout that a job search seems impossible, you’re in trouble -- and it may be a good time to quit your job without another one lined up. 

Signs to Quit Your Job Without Already Having Another One

In addition to the burnout and mental health impact, there are some serious reasons to consider getting out of your current role:

• Your medical professional(s) who handle mental or physical health advise you to leave your workplace. While FMLA and disability may be able to help you, you may need to quit if your issues extend beyond those options.
• You’ve got ethical concerns or witnessed unethical activities in the workplace. Note: you may need to consult a lawyer in this situation. 
• You’re experiencing harassment or discrimination (this may also require the assistance of a lawyer). 
• You’re ready to relocate, but it’s challenging to find a job before doing so. Remember: a job will never love you back, so don’t put your life on hold for it!
• You feel called to explore your purpose in life, to travel and feed your soul, or to pivot to another career. 
• Layoffs are imminent and the looming layoffs are only increasing your level of stress, preventing you from finding a new opportunity. If you truly can’t hold on any longer, or if you’re sure your company won’t offer any severance pay, it might be time to let go of your job. 

Another reason to quit with no other job lined up? You just freaking want to, and you have the financial resources to be unemployed for a while. In a society obsessed with work -- you should know that it’s okay to rest. And when you do get another job? That rest will empower you and give you clarity when you’re searching. It will also help you produce a more focused search. 

The Emotional Nature of Quitting Your Job Without Another

Quitting your job without having another one lined up isn’t necessarily irrational. If you have a plan, and if you don’t quit impulsively, it can be a way to save you money, time, and stress. But if you’ve just come up with the idea and haven’t come up with an interim plan, maybe hold off until you can get your ducks in a row.

At the very least, sleep on it. If you have a spouse or shared financial situation with someone, make sure you talk it over with them. Although it is ultimately your decision whether to quit your job without having another one waiting for you, it may affect more people in your life, and they have the right to know before it happens.

Quitting is For Winners 

Knowing when to walk away can save your sanity. 

Have you ever been in a relationship or friendship that went on long after you realized you weren’t happy? 

You know the feeling of relief you got when you said goodbye? 

The same works for your relationship with your job. Walking away from a bad situation, especially an emotionally draining one, is a win. 

Saying goodbye on your terms means you’re taking the W -- not the L.  

Can You Afford to Quit Your Job Without Another Job Lined Up?

For many, the question of whether you should quit your job without another one lined up comes down to finances. Here are some things to consider:

• The average job search takes 3-6 months. Can you live off of your savings for half a year or a little more?
• Are you currently underpaid? If you quit your job now and got a higher-paying gig that would make you happier, you might even out financially, or even increase your income despite taking the time off to job search.
• What about your other resources? Are they finite? Many jobseekers can quit their job without a new one lined up because they have healthcare and financial security provided by a spouse or partner, or because they live in a multi-generational household. 
• What are you willing to change while you quit your job and look for another one? This could look like moving back in with parents or renting a room to a friend to make up for any financial shortfalls.
• Are you interested in taking a low-stress, part-time gig while you’re looking for your next main opportunity? What will that look like?

Once you’ve considered your financial outlook, do a budget. Ultimately, you want to determine whether the stress of maintaining your current job is greater or less than the financial strain you may experience without it. 

Quitting Your Full-Time Job to Start Your Own Business

Despite its pro-entrepreneurial nature, our society has a big problem supporting people who start their own small businesses. Unless you’re taking out loans and praying at the altar of venture capitalism, a lot of people see all small businesses -- especially solo-run efforts -- as hobby business, rather than legitimate ways people make their living. 

I experienced some nonsense comments in this vein from a few people when I left my full-time, six-figure (toxic AF) job in product management in 2019. My goal rest for a while and then lean into making my side hustle coaching and consulting business into my full-time hustle. Not everyone got it, but I'm still standing 5 years later.

Listen carefully: quitting your day job to start your own business is not the same as leaving your full-time job without another one lined up. While it might take you months to get into the black, you’re investing in yourself and your decision is just as legitimate as working for another company.

It’s Dangerous to Quit Your Job Alone!

When you quit your job without another one lined up (or if you’re already looking and aren’t having much success), it’s important to have the right people on your team. That means taking time before you quit to secure your support network, inform those who need to know, and assemble any team members you might be missing. 

In addition to family members and friends, the right career coach can help you get to the next step. Now that you have the time, access the resources you need to create a focused action plan. Worried about spending your newly discovered free time off in a cycle of video games and Netflix binging? You should take some time to do that -- but after that week is gone, it’s time to get an expert on your side. 

I’m done with BS advice and lectures from armchair experts on what you should be doing with your own life, and I’m here to help you succeed in your career. If you'd like help sorting out your next move, let's talk. You can book a free intro all right here.