success stories from leaving your job

[cheeseandcrackers]

I have come to the decision to leave my job sometime soon, just depending on how things go around the office. I am of course going to start applying, but whether or not I find a job soon, I decided I need to get away from my company. Basically, I started working here 3 years ago where the work environment was wonderful.. we were all like a big family.. there was no back stabbing and no stress.

Last year, we got bought out by a new company and the CEO is horrendous. He has gotten more involved with our office and it has become a very hectic environment. At first, I thought it was just me being a baby, but apparently the manager is looking for something new, and 3 other employees are planning on leaving and possibly my boss. Right now, I feel like I'm on a sinking ship. Also, our bonuses are getting cut starting next year which was a good percentage of my salary. I am underpaid for my position but I was okay with it before because the work environment was so great and i enjoyed coming to work.. now not so much.

Fortunately, my husband is behind me 100%, he says he is tired of having a stressed wife at home and we are financially stable for me to quit and look for a job. He has health and dental insurance with his company so that's not a problem either.

I feel like I could find a job quickly, but I still worry about being stuck unemployed and not finding anything. I had a position interested in me last month that was offering 15K more than my current salary, but unfortunately it fell through, it does however give me hope.

This is huge decision and I'm not good with taking risks with no guarantee. I'd love to hear some stories from people that left their jobs/got laid off, and it was a good outcome in the end.

[CurlyQ284]

Why don't you just look for a job while you're still working?

I left a job with no backup after college. It was sales and I was NOT cut out for it. I was out of work for 1-2 days. Went to my chiro appointment and they said the company next door was looking for an executive assistant and ushered me into he office in my flip flops. I was hired and started the following Monday.

[Deleted]

I think the best position to find a new job is when you are still at your old job. No lapse in financial security and it looks better on a resume. I would mentally check out a bit and focus on finding something new.

That said, I know what its like to be in a toxic work environment. Job stress can push a person to the limit. I get that. Only you can decide whether the pros of quitting immediately can outweigh the potentially negative consequences.

[cheeseandcrackers]

Sept 30, 2013 12:41:54 GMT -5 CurlyQ284 said:

Why don't you just look for a job while you're still working?

I left a job with no backup after college. It was sales and I was NOT cut out for it. I was out of work for 1-2 days. Went to my chiro appointment and they said the company next door was looking for an executive assistant and ushered me into he office in my flip flops. I was hired and started the following Monday.

I am doing this as well. Our official merger is next month, and people are trying to get out of the office before that because it will be a complete cluster and things are getting worse by the day. I could probably write a paragraph about how crazy the CEO is, but I rather not. Also, my job is incredibly inflexible, and it's a big ordeal to take time off for anything, have to give them at least a week heads up,like I have to request a PTO for a doctors appointment (even though I am salary), so I feel like I could find a job much faster if i put all my focus into it. Like I get anxiety if I leave for lunch, that's how bad it has gotten.

[Deleted]

I left my last job without having another. I set a clear plan and signed up with a temp agency immediately. I loved temping. I did it for about 3 months and received 2 job offers. During that time. I ended up interviewing and getting a job not related to any of my temping jobs but I think temping gave me the confidence I needed to find a job. I say do it.

[winnied]

I was threatened at work about a year ago. I started a new job within 4 weeks of the threat. I ugly cried all weekend after the threat and on Monday contacted a recruiter who sought me out when I was previously happy at my job. I interviewed at three different places in two weeks and then started my new job. I am 10X happier at my new job. I got a huge raise when I left my other job, an office with a view, better benefits, better hours, you name it, it was better.

Point of story time: You deserve better so go out there and get it. I suggest working at your company until you find other employment, though. Work with a recruiter if possible - it made all the difference in the world. If people ask why you're out of the office so much say you have doctors appts. If they push more say it's your gyno. No one pushes after that.

[snickers]

I have made job changes in the past, and I always make sure I have something lined up first. For me, it's too risky not to. I'm sorry you are so stressed at your current job, but I did find (when I was at a job I hated) even actively looking for a new job gave me enough hope and stamina to get through the job I hated, if that makes any sense. I hope you find something soon.

[ax2]

poof

[cheeseandcrackers]

Sept 30, 2013 13:08:52 GMT -5 ax2 said:

I left my job at the beginning of July. I got back from my Mat leave in May and it was obvious really quickly that I had been replaced. I didn't have a choice in the timeline of my resignation, so my situation is a bit different.

I have a university degree, some professional designations and over a decade of administrative experience and I can't find work. 75+ resumes and 5-6 interviews later I am starting to seriously worry about our situation. Granted, my city isn't huge and I'm still set on something in the administrative field so the job pool is (apparently) smaller than I thought.

Short answer, unless you have lots of savings, look while you're still employed. Being unemployed when you don't want to be sucks hard.

I'm really sorry to hear that.. I hope you find something soon.

We have a huge meeting this coming Thursday with the CEO (who is flying from Italy) and everyone is sweating bullets, so for all I know anyone in my company including me might be laid off.

[Deleted]

I left my last job in 2007.  I wasn't looking for a new job.  I just got a cold call from a headhunter.  I was well-regarded at my last workplace, so it was a leap of faith.  I left because I decided I valued my personal time more than I valued money.

My current job does not pay nearly as well as my old job, but I am happier because I have much more "me" time now.

[gmail]

I quit a job and landed in my dream job.

A lot of you knew me when I was on TB/TN and was stuck in a soul-sucking horrendous job. They tried to fire me at 36 wks pg, had to get a lawyer, etc. While I was pg, I started networking around the University and interviewed for a new job. I didn't get it, but they really liked me and said that there might be another opportunity in the future. Ended up leaving for maternity leave early b/c the job was SO awful that I was getting sick. Had the baby, out for 13 weeks.

Came back, and my awful boss made things even worse for me, trying to get me to quit. The new people kept telling me that the new job was coming. Finally, I just couldn't take it anymore, and DH and I made the decision that I would give my 2 weeks at shit job, and just wait for dream job. If it never materialized, I would look elsewhere.

I quit in April, the new job posted in May and I was hired by June. I've been here for 3 years and I'm SO happy. The poor girl who took my old job is MISERABLE and emails me all the time for advice.

[cheeseandcrackers]

Sept 30, 2013 13:16:56 GMT -5 @misoangry said:

I left my last job in 2007.  I wasn't looking for a new job.  I just got a cold call from a headhunter.  I was well-regarded at my last workplace, so it was a leap of faith.  I left because I decided I valued my personal time more than I valued money.

My current job does not pay nearly as well as my old job, but I am happier because I have much more "me" time now.

So the headhunter already have the position available for you? 

I just have a gut feeling that there is something out there for me with more pay and flexibility and I will be fine.

[Deleted]

Sept 30, 2013 13:24:16 GMT -5 cheeseandcrackers said:

Sept 30, 2013 13:16:56 GMT -5 @misoangry said:

I left my last job in 2007.  I wasn't looking for a new job.  I just got a cold call from a headhunter.  I was well-regarded at my last workplace, so it was a leap of faith.  I left because I decided I valued my personal time more than I valued money.

My current job does not pay nearly as well as my old job, but I am happier because I have much more "me" time now.

So the headhunter already have the position available for you? 

I just have a gut feeling that there is something out there for me with more pay and flexibility and I will be fine.

The headhunter called with the info, set up the interviews, and I got the job.

I wasn't the only candidate going for the job, and she wasn't the only headhunter shopping it.