Thinking of Quitting Without Another Job Lined Up? Will It Hurt Your Career Prospects?

I am a software developer with 4 years of experience and have been working with my current company for the past 2 years. Now, I want to submit my resignation to this company without having another job lined up. I want to know if it would affect my job search, if I would lose credibility, if it would create a negative impression, and if it would be a significant obstacle in my career in securing another good job soon. I will be departing from my current company very legitimately by serving the notice period and providing all necessary documents. However, due to certain reasons, I am feeling stressed and want to quit my job immediately without having another job lined up. I plan to search for a new job either after the notice period or in the meantime.

Thank you.

Regardless of what the exigencies are, it is never recommended to leave one's job without having another in hand—from the individual's end.

While all the reasons you mentioned may have a bearing on the logic for this advice/suggestion, there's another important one: it affects the psyche of the individual, which leads to underperformance during interviews, especially if the gap between leaving the current job and the next one increases by the day.

It's not advisable to build up such psychological pressure on oneself. While some can handle it and some can't—but that would be known only when the situation comes. Most people often begin by assuming they can handle it, but by the time they realize they can't, it would be too late after they perform badly in the interviews, which only goes further to a deteriorating performance—sort of a 'chain reaction'.

Addressing Your Current Situation

Coming to your present situation, you mentioned that 'you are in stress'. I suggest finding out the cause(s) for your current stress(es) and finding solutions for it—at least 'temporary' ones, until you get another job.

If you wish, you could give the details of your stress in this forum—some members may be able to suggest how to tackle it from their experiences.

All the best.

Regards,
TS

I am Apurwa here, and being a recruiter, I know the pros and cons of this situation. I recommend that you not leave your present job until you have another confirmed job in hand. No matter the situation or stress you are undergoing, overcome it. If you leave the present job, it will definitely result adversely.

Get the confirmation of another job in hand, then leave the present job. Search for it rigorously.

Regards, Apurwa

Quitting a job without having any other option in hand will only worsen the situation. You never know when you will get the next suitable job opportunity, and the period of non-employment will also result in a gap in employment. It might also reduce the chances of a salary hike with the next job. All this will only add to your current stress, so it's better to rethink before resigning from your present organization.

Good luck.

Regards,
Anshika Sharma

If you see 15 adverts in newspapers and websites for your profile each day, go ahead... you could land a good deal. If your friends are looking for people like you through referrals, it's even better. Else, it's a risky bargain.

Though, I feel you should not take on stress to deal with any BS your employer might be subjecting you to. So, if you are being troubled, just walk out! But learn to handle the situation with maturity. Understand how you will answer 'provocative' questions from headhunters and employers. If you are clear about handling it well, no harm.

Usually, the risks in separation are high, and since there is no future employer, you could face difficulty if things turn ugly when leaving. Nevertheless, it's worth respecting your own feelings more than anything else. You might be disadvantaged by the situation, but hey, there is always a possibility of growing faster despite everything said.

Regards,

Advice on Quitting Your Job Without Another Lined Up

Do not quit this job, no matter how difficult it is for you to perform, until you get another job. Doing this job until you get another is a lesser pain than explaining why you have a gap in between. It reflects on your personality negatively.