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What is the Singletrack feeling about resigning from your job without having something else lined up? The job itself is okay but I seem to have come into conflict with someone else in the office such that I actually dread going to work each morning.
If I was to leave how would I explain that to a potential new employer?
I’m an Architectural Technologist and I think I’m going to have to be looking for work in the same field.
I’m financially secure enough to be out of work for a year or more if needed so that’s not such a worry.
Advise please!
Just do it....
It's always easier to get a job when you have a job but ,
Can you cover your bills for your flight of fancy ,....yep
If you can afford to do it then do it.
Take a couple of months to do your own thing. Any future employer should accept that as a good reason for your break. Make sure you work out your notice and don't upset anyone when you go.
Do it with grace.... I guess you are part of a small group of people in your line of work and protecting your reputation to be able to move on would be important.. A big messy fallout may not be helpful via rumor control. But do it, life's too short...
DO IT!
Life is too short, take some time for yourself.
Perfectly acceptable to take an extended break if finances allow. I did it when I was made redundant and took a few months off before finding a new job.
The only issue, potentially, is keeping your skills up to date - I work in software dev so it was just a case of keeping abreast of the latest technologies - but easily done.
Enjoy your break!
I would suggest triggering an exit without knowing what future agreements you may get elsewhere may me a little foolhardy. Stick with it, whilst looking for something you know will be better. You never know, the current place may get better, or the grass might not be greener...
If only there were another situation comparable to this...
Do it. You'll not regret it.
If next employer asks just say you were taking a career break, getting some "me time" and travelling and are now refreshed and ready to go in a new challenge. Shows insight and ability to make informed positive choices - surely they are qualities you want in an employee?
Thanks all for the positive thoughts! Is 53 a bit old to say I’m going travelling!
I’m not going to rush headlong into anything but it’s the good reason for leaving issue that’s worrying me more at the moment.
I did it, through a self-managed redundancy so at least I have that as a reason which seems to have been well accepted.
Still not sorted yet, but a few in the pipeline I'm hopeful about after 4 weeks.
You say you seem to have come into conflict: do you know for sure? If not then I'd suggest inviting them into a private/meeting room (in a friendly manner, obviously) and mention that it seems like there's some tension and you're not sure why.
Alternatively, if you're not comfortable there any more then hand your notice in and look for other employment. Would it be a problem to tell your next employer that you left 'due to workplace tensions but before they escalated to a problematic level'? Surely any decent employer would respect this and give you a chance to explain if it were a potential issue.
Yes it’s definite. It’s only a small office within a much larger company, we are the in-house architects for the company. It’s just a personality thing but it’s not going to go away whilst we are both there.
Thanks Spoonmeister, that sounds like a sensible approach.
When I was PAYE I did it twice. Toxic atmosphere. Went contracting both times and used that as the excuse. No more performance reviews etc. You can always use some excuse such as job being moved to Alaska etc.
I think I’d like Alaska!
Yep, I’ve come to the conclusion that life is too short to stressing about work when it’s affecting your quality of life.
Thanks so much for everyone’s advice.
Three comments
Why not look for another position but say you are not available to start for 3 or whatever months. Gives insurance and often - not always - employers will wait for the right person. Or tell them you have a major traveling holiday booked and see if they will honour that - start the job straight away and take a break after say 3 months. If they won't then it's your call what to do, you're still in control.
Do not say there was a personality issue. Naturally you are not at fault but the employer doesn't know that and it would be an alarm bell if I was interviewing.
Thirdly good luck!
I resigned from my last job without anything to go to - big relief from no longer working with toxic people in a negative environment. Was never happy in the job from day one and should have left earlier. As stated above life is too short to work in a job where you are unhappy or stressed. My previous role to this was on a contract managing a team of 70+ largely lovely people and a great boss, so it was a huge shock when I joined an organisation with a micro-manager boss and a team of vindictive and unpleasant individuals.