Quitting without a plan B? How to pick yourself up

Quitting without a plan B? How to pick yourself up (Photo: iStock)

There have been times when the thought of walking out of your workplace at 10am or simply not showing up has crossed your mind. It’s not necessarily because you hate the job; perhaps you’re tired, unfulfilled or suffering from burnout and just want to leave. Sometimes, staying can be more harmful than leaving.

While it is generally advisable to secure a new role before resigning, there are circumstances where a strategic exit without an immediate job offer or Plan B is necessary.

If you find yourself in this position, you need to find an immediate alternative. Before taking this step, you should have at least six to twelve months’ worth of essential living expenses saved in an accessible emergency fund.

That isn’t the case for most of us, so should you go ahead with the plan?

If you don’t have enough to cover your fixed costs, such as rent or mortgage payments, utilities, and so on, as well as your variable expenses, such as food and transport, you may need to reconsider.

Failure to have that financial safety net in place will interfere with you doing a thorough job search, succumbing to financial desperation that will lead you to accepting a less-than-ideal subsequent role.

Before tendering your resignation, set aside time to update your resume, refine your professional portfolio, and optimise your LinkedIn profile to reflect your current skills and career aspirations. Discreetly inform key contacts of your career interests and openness to new opportunities without signalling immediate departure.

In addition, conduct a realistic assessment of the current job market and the roles you are interested in within your industry. This will ensure that your decision is based on an informed understanding of the prospects available to you.

When the time comes to leave, professionalism should be your guiding principle. Stick strictly to your contractual notice period and submit a formal resignation letter that is concise and neutral in tone, focusing on gratitude for the opportunity rather than listing grievances.

No matter how tempting it may be to burn bridges due to dissatisfaction, doing so can have long-lasting negative repercussions on your career. 

Once you have left your role, treat your job search as a full-time commitment if that’s the direction you want to go in, of course. Perhaps you want to start a business, travel or simply stay at home. Now is your chance.

Look after your mental and emotional well-being during this period of transition, and maintain a healthy lifestyle by engaging in activities that reduce stress as you find your feet.