Career Blunders: Quitting Your Job Before You’ve Got Another

Do you hate your boss? Can't stand your job? Convinced you can't stand another minute of it? If you don't have another job, hold it! Quitting your job before you have another can be a serious career blunder, especially in today's tighter job market.

If it takes you several months to find another job, you'll be left with a serious gap in your resume that will be difficult to explain. Employers have a hard time accepting the fact that you left your job due to:

~ Personality conflicts - being unable to get along with your boss or coworkers. ~ Personal problems - divorce, major illness in the family, or other difficulty. ~ Work was too demanding - too many hours, too much stress, etc. ~ Burnout, being worn down by job demands. ~ Pursuing a fast-track career - frequent job-hopping to advance quickly. ~ Protesting company policies - leaving with or without other employees to take a stand against unfair policies. If a lawsuit is filed, this action will cause even greater concern.

Employers usually don't have a problem with the following reasons for quitting, but again, don't quit before you've got another job.

~ Better opportunity - the chance to advance or work for a more prestigious company. ~ Higher salary - the opportunity for a significant increase in pay. As a rule of thumb, the raise should be a minimum of 10 percent, and even higher if the job requires a move to another city. ~ Additional education - taking time out to advance by increasing your knowledge in your field. ~ More job security - the fear that your position may be eliminated because of a merger, reorganization, bankruptcy, or other difficulties. ~ Starting your own business - cutting ties to be your own boss. ~ Moving because your spouse is transferred.