Job Exit Strategy

**hawkster** · 08-25-2009, 12:08 AM

??????

What do you need advice on? Exit stratagies or savings? Your either looking for advice on how to save up so you can quit or looking for advice on how to graciously or not so graciously leave a place of employment????

**cschin4** · 08-25-2009, 01:44 AM

The strategy is this. Start looking for a new job. When you go to new job interviews be very upbeat on the chance to work the new job and DO NOT talk badly or complain about your present employment. They don't want to hear it, it makes you look like a whiner or disgruntled person and it may hurt your chances to move on. If they ask you why you are moving on, you tell them it is because you are seeking new opportunities, etc and do not go into the petty BS that goes on in every workplace.
Then, if you find and accept a job, you go back and give your 2 or 3 week notice, say "Thanks for allowing me to work here but I am moving on to new opportunities", "Hope we can work together down the road", etc. YOu ALWAYS try to leave on good terms. Don't unload your negative feelings on anyone when leaving or prior to leaving. Be upbeat and do NOT tell your company anything until the day you turn in your resignation and then tell them as little as possible. Upbeat and vague is the order of the day.
Believe me, I have been in your shoes and changed jobs several times thoughout my life. Really, a handshake and a "thank you" is all you need to leave.

**wincrasher** · 08-25-2009, 05:58 AM

cschin4's advice is spot on. only thing I'd add is that these days, a 1 week notice is plenty.

You haven't given us much information to go on. Young folks today don't seem to have much tolerance for the sacrifices and BS on the job that us older folks put up with. You have to ask yourself whether the job demands are out of line or you just have a thin skin. Or is it just all the pressure of working and going to school at the same time?

There is nothing wrong with being sensitive - if you don't like the job it's fine to quit. But when you look for a new job, keep that in mind and don't get yourself in another situation where you are under more pressure than you can handle.

**cschin4** · 08-25-2009, 06:19 AM

Questions - Before you leave, you should also think about why you are leaving and think about what you are trying to find that would be an improvement.

I hate the feeling of being stuck at my full time job and having to put up with so much it brings me to tears at night.
First, why are you "stuck"? You are no more stuck than the rest of the world getting up and working 9-5. One way to get unstuck is to live a very frugal life, bank money, live below your means and then the possibility of only working part time may be a reality down the road And, believe me, it is much easier to deal with the BS on a part time basis.
Anyway, try to step back from the emotion of it all. Are YOU taking things too seriously (not your job but the office politics, etc)? And, every job you go to will be chalk full of people who think they are the boss, who subvert others, and on and on. The main thing is learning to deal with annoying people of which there will be no shortage.
If you are making a good salary and good benefits, then think twice before job hopping. Contrary to present day advice you do not need to "LOVE" your job. I think that notion has led many people astray searching for some perfect job that does not exist.
Get some perspective on how you think about your job. Does you job provide you the means to live a decent lifestyle, pay your bills and help you buy some things you enjoy? What is GOOD about your present job? Does it have flexible hours, do you get lunch breaks, do vendors buy you lunch once in awhile, etc. No job is all good or all bad. Much of it is your perspective.
Now, I am not saying you should not change jobs. In fact, you should always keep an eye out for a better opportunity. Your real loyalty should be to finding the best possible job for you and your family and your long term. So, do not make a mistake and simply try to run away from this job and wind up making less money or taking a job you dislike even more, etc. It is time to just put up with it in a mature way, bide your time, look for other work, and also adjust your attitude versus cringing every day you go in. Stay focused.

**Pitman** · 08-26-2009, 05:13 AM

I'm currently looking for a new job as well. Thank you cschin4 for your post. Very informative. I work for the government, but the hate the current sector that I work for, I greatly do still want to continue working for the gov, because they are paying for my tuition in full, but again I hate the sector I work for, and a new sector means more $$$.

Job Exit Strategy