Should I quit my job now?

Question

I have only one vacation day left and no sick days. I understand that it would be best to interview while I am still at my current position, however, I don't see how it will be possible w/out my company becoming suspicious. Would it really hurt my chances of getting a new job if I left my current one first?

Of cource I would leave 2 weeks notice, I don't want to burn any bridges.

My current company is dowsizing significantly and many employees have already left, therefore if I seemed like I was looking elsewhere, they might just fire me.

Answer 1

If you think that you can get a job right after then it seems better to quit immediately.

But patience and observation are your best allies here and you will have more security if you keep your job till the right time.

Answer 2

Employers do not want to hire someone who is unemployed. You are more desireable as someone who is employed and then you don't have to answer the question as to why you are unemployed. You also could end up unemployed for many months while you look for a job. Can you pay your expenses if you are unemployed for six months? Interview at lunchtime, before work, after work. Prospective employers understand that employees cannot take time off from work to hunt and will often accommodate a work schedule. Do not put your work number on your resume, make sure your resume has a specific job you are looking for on it. If you want to have the best opportunities for getting a good job, stay with the company until you get another job offer. You would be throwing that advantage away if you were to quit and then start looking.It makes you look flakey to an employer and it could put you in a position where you have to take a worse job just to be employed.

Answer 3

Under the circumstances, unless you want to wait a good long while to build up more vacation days, the best you could do would be to request the interviews take place after your normal hours. Most people who interview for serious jobs understand that you don't want to leave your current job until you have a new one, and they will respect the fact that you do not want to take phoney sick days. (That you have none accrued is not their concern; don't tell them, because they don't want to think you use sick days for anything other than really being sick.) There's no harm in telling a prospective employer that you have no vacation days left, and would appreciate scheduling the interview for after your regular hours.

Or if your schedule is late enough, you might set it up for before you start work. For example, if you are currently working in retail, and don't normally start work until 9:00 or later, perhaps that office job for which you are applying starts early enough that you could schedule the interview for 8:00 a.m. Most interviews don't take more than half an hour, at least for the first interview. If they are calling you back for a second interview, they are pretty serious about you, and you can ask them to schedule it to conform to your schedule.

But it's a REALLY bad idea to quit the job you have until the new job is really offered and accepted. A bird in the hand, you know.

Answer 4

I would register with an employment agency so that they can zero in on a job that meets your specifications and they can also match your qualifications to the job. I think this would greatly reduce the amount of time you would need off and would eliminate interviews which would possibly be a dead end. If at all possible use a half vacation day at a time to get two opportunities for time away from the job.

Answer 5

I do understand your dilemma. Go ahead for the interview..and if selected for the new job use your sick days as an excuse to take leave...dont leave your old company yet. Then Utilize the leave to joint the new company,,,,study its work culture, people, environment, your job role.Once you become familiar with the working conditions, you can then decide or not if the new company is worth joining.If you feel happy to stick with your decision..then relieve yourself with your old company...else you know what to do..you already have a job at hand at your current position. So dont quit your job in hurry.

Answer 6

I would wait to quit until you have another job. If you only have 1 vacation day left, that won't leave you with much other than your last check to get by on. Try to set up interviews for your lunch hour, maybe before or after work, etc. Or, try to set up all your interviews for the same day and use that vacation day.

Answer 7

Yes, it will. You will lose the advantage of negotiating from a position of strength. Also if your job search takes longer you will burning cash from your savings. Employers / Recruiters are very flexible if they feel you are the right candidate for the job if you are trying to arrange an interview after pre screened from your resume. Try to get a lunch appointment or an after business hours appointment.

Answer 8

Think integrity.....would you appreciate the same kind of treatment from your employer. I am a firm believer in "What comes around, goes around". Think of work as a contract you not only make with your employer but with yourself. We always run into situations with the big guy, but to show future employers and yourself that you have good work ethic, I wouldn't leave without giving proper notice. If you are honest and respectful in all that you do and go about terminating your employment with fairness and respect you are definitely showing that you have integrity. If a future prospect wants you bad enough they should understand your situation and accommodate you where it won't conflict with your present work schedule.

Answer 9

What if you don't find another job right away? Can you get by?

I definately wouldn't tell a future employer you quit your last job because you ran out of vacation days! ;-)

Places DO interview afterhours as they realize you may not want your current employer to know. Ask when you look/apply!

Answer 10

I don't think it would hurt your chances, but it gives you a little security with having a job while you're still looking for one. Use your lunch hour for interviews, see if you can do interviews on weekends. Most companies will work with your schedule.