×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?
3

Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

(OP)
I won't get into the details, but needless to say that I'm quite unhappy at my current job and have been for several months. During that time I've been applying for a handful of other jobs but I've just about lost patience with my current position to the extent that I've been considering leaving before having a new one lined up. The only reason I'm still there is because there seems to be this stigma that leaving a job without a replacement is suicide.

A few points to consider:

1. I'm young and still live at home, so I have very few expenses.
2. I'm quite disciplined with my money so have more than enough saved up.
3. I've been doing online courses to teach me new skills. I would do more of them if I had the time(mostly to satisfy myself, may or may not be useful in the future).

Has anyone here ever left before finding a new job, not knowing how long they could be without work for?

It would be great to here some personal experiences.

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

Yes, twice.
In both instances the near-future work situation would become extremely dangerous if I had stayed. I feared for my safety. In both instances, the company management was some of the most vile, despicable, incompetent, unethical bunch of kooks I've ever dealt with. And they cared zero for the welfare of their employees. There was a tolerable bit of hardship & worry after I left, but I would do it again. I was able to secure good employment shortly thereafter without much trouble. The worst part was worrying about supporting my family sufficiently, but that was needless worry (as is most worry).

If your situation doesn't meet extreme criteria like that, then I suggest you gut it out. Put on your game face, go full-professional in your behavior, and quietly look for something else. Later you will probably realize that your situation, while unpleasant, is not nearly as bad as you think it is. The character you build for yourself by surviving a tough situation will serve you well later.

TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering
www.bluetechnik.com

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

I highly suggest against leaving before having another offer in hand. Let's say you leave your current position but fail to find a new one for 6 months (quite possible, especially if you're being picky)... you now have to explain to potential employers a 6-month gap in your work history. Not a huge deal after 15-20 years in the field (plenty of ways to explain it away), but when you're just starting out? Could be a deal-killer for a lot of companies.

Your financial situation is only one facet to consider...

Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

Explaining to a future employer in your next interview why you left would be a tricky one.
I left one company to go finish my B.Eng. So unless you're going to college or have at least something lined up, I'd advise against it.
In the end you will look back and seeing it as a learning experience, even if how not to do business.

M

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

Remember that while looking for a new job, a potential employer is NOT looking for a reason to hire you. They are looking for reasons to NOT hire you. Don't give them any.

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

Yes I have walked out of a job, without any immediate prospects. They are paying you to work for them, not die for them. On the other hand don't get all whiny about it, from most people on this planet's point of view if you are on 60000 and work indoors then you are better off than they will ever be.

Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

I have been shown the door without any prospects. I make it a policy never to walk out on my own without a job to walk in to. You can collect unemployment if you quit, but you have to prove that conditions were intolerable. I'd talk to your local labor board or unemployment office to find out what that standard is. You can usually find the information on line as well, but it's a bit trickier.

If you are offended by the things I say, imagine the stuff I hold back.

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

If you are unhappy, but find another job that seems promising, make the move.
If it doesn't work out, you are young enough to find something that works.
I was happy for the most part on one job, but quit to go to a larger company knowing the risk of layoff there.
But, they told me there was travel involved. I did it for the experience. 3.5 years later layoff's hit.
Then my current job dropped in my lap.

Chris
SolidWorks 11
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

1- Don't do that. Don't quit.
2- Send hundred of resume during the evening when you have spare time.
3- Keep on sending and measure your hit rate (if on 1 over 50 submitted resume, you get an email or call back that would be an idea of your hit rate).
4- On 5 email or call, one could become an interview. Probably. Quantify also this ratio. Then you have an idea of your value in your CV and how the market is responding.
5- One interview does not mean you will be hired. You have to secure maybe a couple of them.
6- During the follow up of the interview, pressure will be high, you better be employed meanwhile to mitigate the pressure. During an interview, having no back up solution (like present job an alternative interviews) means pressure, visible to the interviewer which will decrease your chances apart.
7- Calculate back the number of CV submission you have to, a huge number probably, so get ready to spend a lot of time screening the web, newspapers whatever and the most important never give up. never.
By being without job and doing all the above, it will be tough, but most important you engage yourself in an area where you don't know how your mind and body will physically respond, and there is the danger. so better stay in a known area even if it is very hard to handle.
You will get out of this if you don't give up. Recruiter also like this mindset and will give you a hand.

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

You give no indication as to why you are so unhappy in your current job. That is the real issue; would changing where you work make things better or worse?

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

I have left without a job lined up. But I moved to a booming economy, where I had particular skills that applied. I had a new job within two weeks of the move, but at 75% of the pay I had left. If I'd have been less impulsive, I probably would have been better off financially, and could have been more picky about the job I took. And the effect snowballs - with a less desirable second job, you're in a worse position when looking for your third job, and so on.

Be smart about your career, pick the job want, then go and get the job. It took me years to learn this, but it's possible decide what your dream job is, and then work toward getting it. Unless you're in a recognised degree program, unemployment won't get you any closer to that dream job. I recommend you pick out your top 3 choices for your next job, then call the bosses there tell them you want to work there, and why. Ask them what it would take to make that happen, then follow their advice. Follow up with them every quarter.

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

I have done this. It is not for the faint of heart. I quit a very high paying job in Pittsburgh once. I quickly found the company as well as the place where I lived to be intolerable. Some people love Pittsburgh. I hated almost everything about it. When I left I took a huge financial hit not just from leaving the job but because the scumbag real estate company that I was renting from whacked me with a five thousand dollar penalty for breaking my lease. And I was legally obligated to pay it. And I did over time. I had no job and no prospects as I moved back to my old place in Massachusetts. And I had to move all of my household belongings myself, during December in the snow. Not a fun time. But I was very glad to be back in MA.

Eventually I found my next job, but it took me about 8 months. And I am pretty happy here. Sometimes no job is better than the wrong job.

www.EngineeringMetallurgy.com

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

A college engineering classmate of mine later was working for the same employer that I previously had worked for. I had left due to them giving me 6 months notice due to a major change coming. My next jobs were great and not affected by this.

However the classmate had a disagreement with management about an ethical thing. His name was left off a research paper. I met again him at our 50th class reunion. He told me that move of his to quit because of the disagreement meant from then on he could never find a job in the engineering field he trained for. The word got along where ever he applied. And that was in the booming times. Try it today and see the results forever, even if you find one before leaving.

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

oldestguy,

Interesting story. We can look at it from another perspective maybe.
The sin that your classmate made is not because of leaving on such short notice (technically yes). It is because his complain on ethical things was somehow rooted to his ego being not satisfied to have his name not mentioned in a research paper. It appears legitimate of course but to some extent, what do he has to care about it, his accomplishment and knowledge are for himself no?
If you leave on short notice because of a really good cause, chances are there that you survive.
My point is this: Mistake due to bad maneuvering can be recovered somehow, I bet one gets even better due to some hidden mechanism in nature. Mistake in connection with fundamental morality issues are very hard to recover and ego ranks number one on that.
Again that is just a very personal perspective of looking at things.

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

Rotarian:

I think the useful determination as to what is a "really good cause" more likely is made by the past employer when it comes to checking the references. Without references, it's pretty hard to omit information as to where you last worked. Then all it takes is one phone call to pass the apparent "good cause" reason along.

Also, there sometimes, in engineering circles, are friendly communications between different companies, such as with members of professional organizations, so that a negative past problem will stay hidden is wishful thinking.

My comment was only one case, but not something to dismiss when deciding what to do.

I have another case. A Nephew. He was a real brain and was doing fine with a modern electronics firm, in charge of a small department after 2 years in the first job. He decided that, since he has progressed so well, that he could just quit and find a better job. After all, he learned "how valuable" he was and figured to take advantage of it. To shorten the story, he went on looking for that better job around the country, finally ran out of money and had to take on the life of a drifter. His folks got a phone call from a far off place stating he was found having hanged himself. I don't know about his past following him or not, but it sure looks like it.

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

Not many companies like to see huge gaps in employment.

In many companies it is a big red flag to complain about your current/old job/boss in an interview.

Difficult-to-get-along-with-employees are a huge headache for management.

David
:):):)

www.kirkhammotorsports.com

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

I suggest quit. As 77 said, pick the job want, then go and get the job. If your skills line up and you are excited about the new job, they'll notice and hire you. I do contract engineering; sometimes 4 months before landing another good gig but, I always seem to get the job I want because I know it matches my skill set and I let the new employer know that this is a good match. Quitting without a new job lined up? - Done that several times. I am always involved in some sort of research project though so there is never a time gap when I'm doing nothing. I suggest you take courses at your local college so that, to the new HR dept, you are not "doing nothing".
This is not a slave society. Let them wonder why they loose engineers. It's their loss.

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

(OP)
A lot of interesting responses, my opinion was pin-balling as I read each one. I think at long last I will chime in here as another consideration has come up recently.

One thing that I did not mention when I started this thread (and was not one of my original reasons for wanting to leave) was that I am on hourly rates. I work in consulting where every hour I put down has to go towards a project. The whole company isn't like that, but about 50% of the staff are on a similar arrangement while the remaining (highly experienced staff) are on salary.

The problem is that work has dried up and I am lucky to do 20hrs per week. On top of that I am also travelling almost 2hrs each way to work, which I didn't mind if I was going in to do a full 8hrs or more. It just seems so pointless going in to do 3-4hrs, wasting a whole day anyway, and still being in the mindset of not wanting to be there. Of the work that is around, most of it has to go to the people who are on salary as they themselves are not busy, and the company is paying them regardless. It's the same across the whole industry actually, most of our competitors have laid off most of their staff. Me being on hourly rates is the only reason I haven't undergone the same fate I suppose. I would probably be looking at a change in industry.

The reason I keep going is that in my mind I'm still wrestling with the notion that "it's still some money" and "it's still better than nothing". However, this week I am on unpaid leave as I came in on Monday and logged a disappointing 1 hour of work. I will admit that I am leaning more and more towards quitting in light of what some people have said. To be honest, one of the main obstacles is actually trying to explain to my superiors that I want to leave without a job lined up as I feel they might get extremely PO'd about it. Still trying to keep an open mind about this whole thing.

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

If they can only manage a couple of hours work per week, I don't think they'd be too upset if some of their hourly employees left... 10 hourly employees at 2 hours a week, is still enough for 20 hours a week for a single employee. And it's less paperwork for them. I wouldn't think too heavily on how they'll react to you moving on...

Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

If you want/decide to leave, you don't need to explain anything to your superiors. A resignation stating your end date of work is all that is needed. If work is that slow, I doubt they are expecting everyone to stay. However, are you using that time off to look for a new job? Are you still receiving benefits? That at least is worth something and a reason to stay until you have something lined up. It sounds like you have a lot of time on your hands, use that to your advantage in your job search. Don't rely on someone searching you out in Monster. If you are not at work, pretend that your job is finding the next job.

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

If there is a remote chance that you might wind up working at an aerospace company, you might consider staying until you find another job so that there is no gap in employment. While there's no stigma, gaps will get questioned every time your employment history comes up; gaps are sometimes associated with rehab, etc., so gaps are less than desirable.

TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies

Need help writing a question or understanding a reply? forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

Quote (IRstuff)

gaps are sometimes associated with rehab
Dear God, man, what kind of people do you work with?!

Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

(OP)
I don't receive any benefits while remaining employed. Me staying at home is essentially the same as being unemployed. And yes, I am using my spare time to look for new jobs.

With regards to the stigma of having an unemployment gap in my resume, I have enrolled in some computer programming courses to keep me busy so it doesn't look like I'm just twiddling my thumbs and doing nothing.

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

Gman89,
From a practical point of view, You should go down to the unemployment office, and check about signing on as being under employed, if you are on an hourly rate, and are making less than 30 hours per week.
You would need to check the local unemployment laws, but some states have a provision, where they will give you supplemental money if your earnings fall under a certain threshold, (you have to report what you made each week). http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-labor-d...
You have nothing to lose by this, there will either be money there or not. This may enable you to get a supplemental income while times are short.
One thing to be aware of is that you employer will receive a claim from the local department of labor against his unemployment insurance.
And from what I have read between the lines, may not take kindly to it.
Remember there is no stigma attached to being laid off for lack of work, it has happened to the best people.
B.E.

You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

Gman: There probably are some unemployed persons of your capability that would gladly trade with you. I'd stop by the boss and give him a thank you for not laying you off. Who knows, it might even result in a few more hours each week. As to salary workers, you may not know their "deal" with the employer. More likely than not they also are taking a hit. In times like that no one can sit back and ride along free. Even the boss may be out at the bank getting a loan to tide things over. I have known several employers that did that to keep valuable employees on. I suspect you are not aware of the many problems employers have to go though to stay afloat in slack times. Time to grow up and face the music, even if it is not your type. Quit now and regret it forever.

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

(OP)
oldestguy,

I would just like to reiterate that the lack of hours was not originally part of my reasons for wanting to leave. In light of other reasons I was just pitching the idea that this may be better timing.

I'm not disagreeing with your point, but I'm wondering where your threshold for leaving without a new job lies, if anywhere.

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

The threshold for anything is very personal, since it encompasses one's risk aversion. I've come quite close to quitting a couple of times:
> A public "discussion" with the general manager about the ethics of not informing the customer about temperature testing failures
> Apparent attempt to renege on a retention bonus by VP of engineer

TTFN
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies

Need help writing a question or understanding a reply? forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

Gman:

I left my first job when a grand opportunity opened that I could not turn down. That employer understood, didn't hold it against me, but begged me to stay.

Later on I left that job since it was not there anymore. Boss was a professor in private practice on-the-side and the University told him to quit that side business. I kept in touch with the prof until he died, continued good friends..

The third change was for personal safety. A subordinate threatened physical harm if he did not get a better annual review. The employer was given two choices: either he or I must go. Employer was chicken (government DOT with some screwy rules)so subordinate was kept on. I was a department head position with plenty of advancement waiting. In same town was as consultant needing my type. It was a better job anyhow, better income and later I used that experience to form my own organization. It is nice to see that some of the DOT standards I set for pavement design back 40 years ago are still the DOT practice today.

Now how close to these situations are you? The first employer could have "raised hell". However he knew it would have made no difference.

Take note of my earlier remarks about two that made the wrong decisions, very wrong.

RE: Really unhappy at current job - when to leave?

gman89: there's no way I'd drive in 2 hours for partial days, even if I were living at home with my parents. Your drive plus 5 hours per day is getting in the way of your job search, no doubt. Get your 30 hours consolidated into 3 days- even if that's only 24 hours- so you have two full days a week to look for another job. If that gets you laid off as an ungrateful wretch, then the decision is made for you. You're not getting benefits, which in this jurisdiction you would be if you were working 60% of a full time job- unless you were and still are on contract rather than fully employed- so what do you have to lose by asking, other than a job that you don't really ultimately want anyway?

Treat finding another job on those two days per week AS YOUR FULL TIME JOB. If you do this for a while and find nothing, you'll obviously have to cling to what you have, improve your job searching skills, broaden your search area, or find a new line of business.

Leave once you have the other job in hand.

I got cut down to 4 days per week on a job-sharing program once. I was putting in 70 hour weeks, 30 of those totally uncompensated in any way, trying to save my employer's bacon. I dropped to 32 hours straight time on 4 days, while my pay dropped only 10% (half of my forced day off was paid by the job-sharing program). Most importantly, I had that whole extra day per week to dedicate full time to finding another job. That helped a lot with the job search- and taught me an important lesson: NEVER work for zero compensation, unless it's for a real charity- not a business. Give your work away and your employer will value it less. Regrettably this is a lesson that in my experience, comparatively few engineers have learned. Many employee engineers, and engineering managers, confuse salaried employment with indentured servitude.

The next job I found, which I landed before I had to resign, not only gave me a 20% pay bump, but also paid me overtime. The job after that gave me something better than overtime- real, meaningful profit sharing, and an opportunity to buy into the business. I put in lots of extra time when it's needed, but am well compensated for that work.

Best of luck-

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources