Author: Lavie Margolin, Career Coach
It is often said that it is easier to find a job when you have a job. What if you have been searching for new a job while continuing to work but have found it especially challenging? When is it a good idea to leave your job and just concentrate on finding the next opportunity?
Leaving your current job will come with some challenges that you must consider: Are you in a financially stable position to cover your expenses for the next several months until you find the job that you are looking for? One who was laid off from their job could receive unemployment benefits or training related vouchers, for which you will most likely not qualify. On interviews, you will be questioned as to why you left your last job and what you have been doing professionally since you left. It might be a good idea to leave if:
1) You have maximized your off hours in looking for a job and found that it was not enough.
2) You have not been able to respond to job listings in a timely manner and cannot fit in interviews during lunch hours or personal days.
3) You are absolutely exhausted, mentally and/or physically, after a demanding day of work and cannot possibly apply for job vacancies in your off hours and weekends.
4) Your frustration with your current job is affecting your work and your professional credibility is suffering.
5) You have spent years in a job that is going nowhere and need to make a fresh start to concentrate on securing informational interviews, expanding your network, preparing more resumes/cover letters reflective of the job market and sharpening your interview skills.
If you decide to leave your current job to find your next opportunity of interest, it will not be easy but with the right determination, you will end up where you want to be and will be glad you took the risk. If you are starting to find less and less satisfaction from your job, perhaps it is time to answer this question, “If my current job duties and responsibilities appear in an advertisement, would I apply for the position?” If the answer is no, perhaps then it is time to focus on finding the job you would apply to.
About the Author: Lavie Margolin is a New York-based Career Coach and the author of Lion Cub Job Search: Practical Job Search Assistance for Practical Job Seekers. To learn more, go to Lavie’s website, Lion Cub Job Search:www.Lioncubjobsearch.com