Giving Up My Permanent Job

However much you may hate the job it is easier to get a new job if you are in a role. Otherwise you could be sat at home for the next 6 months waiting for the right role.

I am in a similar position. After working in admin I accepted an offer to train and work in law. I haven't been happy for a while. The stress is sky high and the market is so saturated you have to accept what you're given and be grateful. I had been planning to stick it out until I qualify in a couple of years but it's making me miserable and the idea of being stuck in law until retirement is just too depressing. I'm finding it tougher and tougher to motivate myself at work and it's got to the point that I wake up on a Sunday morning already dreading work the next day.

After months of debating it internally I finally plucked up the courage to start looking for lower stress jobs. The feedback from the last interview was that they thought I'd get bored given my current position. Other employers have rejected my applications on the basis that I'm overqualified, despite not having a degree. To make it worse, I've had no end of recruiters trying to convince me to do the same job elsewhere.

This week, with a bit of encouragement from my boyfriend and an awful critical email (directed at the entire department) from the boss, I've finally decided that I'm just going to hand my notice in next Friday without having anything lined up. It's a terrifying, giant leap of faith but I know that if I stay there any longer I could end up burning all bridges.

I don't know how awful your current job is but I have to say, the second I finally decided that I would hand in my notice it was like a huge weight came off of my shoulders. I'm finding it so much easier to ignore the power plays in management and the sly digs are just rolling off my back.

I've given up permanent jobs a couple of times without anything lined up. The last time because I realised that the Sunday evening work dread was kicking in on Saturday morning. I've never regretted it but I've always had the security of savings and enough positive experiences of job hunting to feel confident about finding work. I'm now self employed and I can actually enjoy Sunday evenings. The Antiques Roadshow theme tune no longer triggers a stress reaction.:D

Life is a finite thing and far too short to stick at something that's making you ill. It doesn't sound like there's much of a risk involved given your circumstances (if any?). From what you've told us I can't really see why you're hesitating. You honestly do have the right to be happy.:)

If you want to go contracting and are serious about it, then chances are you're going to have to make that leap of faith as most companies are expecting contract staff to be available at a weeks notice at most.

I did it. Once i resigned i started applying in earnest for contract roles, checking the sites daily. Took about 4 weeks to get sorted which was a cheek clenching experience at the time.

I'd ensure you've enough to comfortable cover your outgoings for 3 months, then give it a go. If you cant get any contract work in that time, then your fallback position would be to look for another permanent position perhaps at a lower pay (but one you would be happy in).

I've wholly enjoyed the last three years contracting. The money is great, no stress or hassle worth talking about and plenty of variety of work.

I would like to echo the same as above. Life is so short. Try to enjoy it whilst you have your health and that means having the courage to walk away when something is intrinsically bad for you.