What's the best way to leave a crappy job?

[Jab]

After two years at my current job I’ve reached the point that I just can’t stand the place anymore and the thought of unemployment sounds better than going back there. My only problem is that I’m not sure what will be the best way to get out of there.

On one hand I can give my two weeks and leave with some dignity. I can still use them for a reference and it won’t look as bad on my resume saying that I quit. The only problems are that I really don’t trust anyone higher up to give me a good reference (which is one of the reasons why I’m quitting). Second I doubt I’ll be able to apply for unemployment from reading about filing a claim online.

I could also get fired which shouldn’t be too hard. If I do this it would be easier to get unemployment but I of course kill any chance that I’ll get a good reference.
At this point I’m thinking how big of a deal would it be applying for a job in the game industry if I quit or get fired from here. This is my first full time crappy job and I’m looking
for advice.

Funny enough my family wants me to get fired so that I’ll have a greater chance at unemployment but at this point I’m not sure what to do. I’m hoping that there are people who have experience quitting crappy jobs and can give me a suggestion here.

[Sarkus]

Getting fired doesn't mean you will get unemployment either, though. It depends on what you were fired for and whether the employer wants to dispute your unemployment claim. So if you are really going to need the unemployment to make this work, then you are probably better off dealing with the job while trying really hard to find another one.

[Gordon Cameron]

I don't think getting oneself fired is generally a great strategy. It's dangerous to burn bridges.

[kerzain]

Start looking for your next job before leaving this one.

If asked about references from your current employer just say you don't want them contacted because you haven't given notice yet -- this will sound perfectly reasonable. The prospective employer can still verify your employment with the company, but beyond that your current employer shouldn't have a clue that you're looking.

If, for some reason, your current employer DOES find out that you're looking for another job then it may change their attitude towards you, depending on how much they realize they really do need/want you, compared to training someone new to fill your position. This alone might help set things straight. But, even if it pisses them off, you plan on leaving anyway, so who cares?

Another reason to start looking NOW is that you won't have burned your bridges before finding yourself unemployed and essentially living off handouts. By looking now, especially while working at a job you hate, it will keep you motivated to keep looking, instead of becoming complacent, getting fat, and and then not only wondering how you're going to explain six months of unemployment to a future employer, but where you're going to get the money to buy new interview clothes -- given that you outgrew the old ones because you sat around all day playing WoW and drinking beer.

Also, by looking for a job now, while still employed, something at your current job might end up changing over the next few months, which might end up making the situation more tolerable. You never know when something unexpected might occur, be it changes in the command structure, or whatever. Don't go down the unemployment road until you really don't have any other choice.

Focus less on unemployment benefits, and more on what you're going to do with yourself long term. Unemployment is a stop gap solution to short term money problems for those folks who find themselves out of a job -- they aren't there to encourage you to quit. They shouldn't be part of your main strategy to find a new job.

[cornfuzed]

One other point, most companies no longer give references for fear of legal action. They will only verify if you were employed, and the length of employment.

I was in a similar situation recently, and found the best route was to take a temporary contract job. Gave my notice to the company from Hell, worked three months at the temp job, and then took a layoff. Worked out great, gave me time to look for a job that I wanted while collecting unemployment.

[JMR]

http://i.screwattack.com/content/images/orig_32246_1_1282370323.jpg

[Talisker]

Start looking hard for a new job, and stay in the shitty one while you're looking. Its shittiness will provide motivation, and, more importantly, money.

And it's WAY easier to get a job if you already have one. If you just lackadaisically quit and sit around unemployed, potential employers will look at you askew.

[kerzain]

http://www.impactguns.com/store/media/glock/glock_73215.jpgAre you suggesting suicide, or a workplace shooting?

[Nixxter]

I don't work in your industry (been in the accounting profession 25 years). But I still think you are hearing some good recommendations here. In some ways, I may be going through the same things you are, shortly after I return from being on short term disability leave to deal with this bad disk I've had in my neck, I may be facing either looking for a new position or re-engineering myself.

I could give you some corny sayings to go along with it - like, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Mainly, the idea is, we understand your current job is crappy as you describe it. I bet you have a hard time motivating yourself (getting up each morning to go to work must be difficult, and getting through each day probably feels like running some kind of a survival course).

While I was responding, Kerzain finished his comment and my thinking is consistent with his. Keep your present position, carry your self with dignity and perform it well (don't get a bad 'tude about it, it is what it is, and having a good work ethic is something that will follow you around through your entire career, no matter what company you are at, and will get noticed by the competent people you work with).

It also could be that with the economy being as bad as it is right now, it's not as easy for you to find a new position as you would like. If that happens, you'll have a current job in hand, rather than already having fallen back into your fall back position (the plan B of unemployment).

Good luck to you as well!

[Alan Dunkin]

Kerzain has it right... unless you're just dire to not work there and you feel like you're about to die, you should at least stick with it a bit while you look/find a new job. It's just wise, especially in today's economy. Of course, if you don't need the money...

--- Alan

[chequers]

Number one: DO NOT UNDER ANY CURCUMSTANCES GET FIRED.
Number two: suck it up, and keep working until you get a new job.

[Jason McCullough]

If it's really that bad, get a new job lined up, start it, then go back and do something memorable to make the morons at the old job feel bad.

That's what I did in high school, at least. It depends how "bad" bad is.

[robsam]

Start looking for your next job before leaving this one.

If asked about references from your current employer just say you don't want them contacted because you haven't given notice yet -- this will sound perfectly reasonable. The prospective employer can still verify your employment with the company, but beyond that your current employer shouldn't have a clue that you're looking.

If, for some reason, your current employer DOES find out that you're looking for another job then it may change their attitude towards you, depending on how much they realize they really do need/want you, compared to training someone new to fill your position. This alone might help set things straight. But, even if it pisses them off, you plan on leaving anyway, so who cares?

Another reason to start looking NOW is that you won't have burned your bridges before finding yourself unemployed and essentially living off handouts. By looking now, especially while working at a job you hate, it will keep you motivated to keep looking, instead of becoming complacent, getting fat, and and then not only wondering how you're going to explain six months of unemployment to a future employer, but where you're going to get the money to buy new interview clothes -- given that you outgrew the old ones because you sat around all day playing WoW and drinking beer.

Also, by looking for a job now, while still employed, something at your current job might end up changing over the next few months, which might end up making the situation more tolerable. You never know when something unexpected might occur, be it changes in the command structure, or whatever. Don't go down the unemployment road until you really don't have any other choice.

Focus less on unemployment benefits, and more on what you're going to do with yourself long term. Unemployment is a stop gap solution to short term money problems for those folks who find themselves out of a job -- they aren't there to encourage you to quit. They shouldn't be part of your main strategy to find a new job.

If you don't find the right advice from that, you should probably stop breathing.

(I was cool with Kerzain WAY before it became cool to be cool with Kerzain.)

[Equis]

What are you working as anyway? And why the need to leave?

[Strato]

On top of the good advice that Kerzain said, a lot of people I know really hate the idea of being on unemployment benefits after a while of not having a job. Sure, it is cool to start with for some, but after a while, it gets to be a drag, and those guys tend to start being incredibly bored with life.

Add my opinion to the find a job whilst working advice. Suck it up, and stick it out for a bit. Even when I grow weary of doing what I do, I still find some way to try and maintain a little bit of interest and keep me going.

But if you really have to go, then bow out diplomatically. It is a small world, not much point burning bridges.

[Jab]

I don't remember if I'm currently under a NDA for my job but to be as non descript as possible I work at Comcast.

On the subject that it would get better, sadly I don't think that's the case. I read the company emails they sent out very carefully and within the next few weeks it is going to get worse. They keep changing my job description away from what they originally hired me for. I was supposed to do customer support, now they changed that for sales which I'm not good at. At the rate that they keep moving it towards sales and with my lack of making them, they may have the grounds to fire me in the coming weeks regardless of how well I am at providing support.

There are other issues at well but I'll save them for a big rant at some point in the future.

[Alan Dunkin]

Being on unemployment can be nice and liberating, but it can also be incredibly depressing. It all depends on which hour of the day it is.

--- Alan

[StGabe]

1) Start looking for another job.
2) Don't put up with shit you don't have to in the meanwhile. Since you know you want to leave the job that should make it easier for you to say "no" to any unreasonable requests your employer might have of you.
3) Otherwise continue to be a good employee.
4) If it's so bad that you can't do #2 without being fired and you can't do #3 without going crazy then just quit. That will be better for both you and your employer in the long run.

[anarch]

I work at Comcast.

On the subject that it would get better, sadly I don't think that's the case. I read the company emails they sent out very carefully and within the next few weeks it is going to get worse. They keep changing my job description away from what they originally hired me for. I was supposed to do customer support, now they changed that for sales which I'm not good at.

Sounds like you are in an entry level Support role. Whether you quit or get fired really won't have a major impact on your next entry level tech support opportunity. How you relate the reasons you quit or were fired will though, so you may want to give that some thought.

Your comment that you read emails very carefully touches on a pet peeve of mine. Before you land on "disgruntled" on the jump to conclusions mat, talk to your supervisor. Until they confirm your interpretation is correct, I'd advise not getting spun up about it.

I have an open door policy and as part of that I get the occasional disgruntled employee marching in to the Boss's office with his or her crumpled list of demands. Almost invariably it's based on misunderstandings that could have been solved with a simple conversation with their supervisor.

[Arbit]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp6olw9iaxE

NSFW because of cusses!!!

[Alan Au]

You could take after Russ Pitts (yes, that Russ Pitts) and his infamous farewell to TechTV (http://www.salon.com/technology/feature/2002/05/09/corporate_e_mail). Or maybe not.

- Alan

[JoshV]

One other point, most companies no longer give references for fear of legal action. They will only verify if you were employed, and the length of employment.

I was in a similar situation recently, and found the best route was to take a temporary contract job. Gave my notice to the company from Hell, worked three months at the temp job, and then took a layoff. Worked out great, gave me time to look for a job that I wanted while collecting unemployment.

Actually, what I've heard is that it tends to be is a company won't give a bad reference. They'll use some very polite jargon, but all hiring managers know its just jargon and read between the lines. While if the person is good, they'll get a glowing reference.

That said, you get to put down your own references, as long as you can find an upper in the chain that likes and respects your work you can put them down.

[Martin Guerre]

I guess it all depends on your safety net. If you quit and strike out at interviews for 8 months, can your family support you, and if so, are you willing to accept that support? I personally would just tough it out until you get a sure thing on deck.

[RickH]

One thing to note, since you mentioned giving 2 weeks notice. If you do give notice, you should expect to be told to leave the premises immediately. Lots of companies will not want a short-timer actively working for them, either because it's a bad example for other employees (purely speculative I know) or because of the possibility of hijinks on the way out the door (pranks, theft, general BS).

[Jon Rowe]

Being on unemployment can be nice and liberating, but it can also be incredibly depressing. It all depends on which hour of the day it is.

--- Alan

This.

Don't do it.

Find another job before you leave, seriously. I spent the longest 7 months of my life unemployed, and while it was fun for the first 2 months or so, it got old really fast.

I would also like to mention that I went the route of "Got myself fired" and got unemployment. Look up the laws in your state, and make sure your leaving of the company fits the description of what falls under UI benefits.

[Slainte Mhath]

On the subject that it would get better, sadly I don't think that's the case. I read the company emails they sent out very carefully and within the next few weeks it is going to get worse. They keep changing my job description away from what they originally hired me for. I was supposed to do customer support, now they changed that for sales which I'm not good at. At the rate that they keep moving it towards sales and with my lack of making them, they may have the grounds to fire me in the coming weeks regardless of how well I am at providing support.

I agree with Kerzain and the others who have given fantastic advice about sticking it out and looking for a better job while still collecting the paycheck from this one. That said, what you posted above merits some additional advice.

From your description, it sounds as if your management may be setting you up to fail. Are they doing this with other people in your position (i.e. moving them from support to sales when they obviously aren't great at sales)? If so, they may be transitioning people for a layoff. In your case, this isn't neccessarily a bad thing, as getting let go in that manner usually comes with a bit of severance and uncontested unemployment benefits.

My advice based on everything you've written so far is to stick with this job, no matter how much you hate it, and continue looking for another one. In the meantime, hope that the company is indeed preparing to let you go, and above all DO NOT QUIT, as doing so will negate any severance you might have a chance at collecting and make qualifying for unemployment much more difficult. I know it sucks, and it sounds counterintuitive to continue working while hoping for a layoff, but that's exactly what you should do. In the meantime, perhaps you will get lucky and find a better job, at which point you can forget about severance, references and everything else and simply tell the current employer to EAT IT.

[jason]

What's the best way to leave a crappy job?

With my head held high knowing that I did the best I could with what I had in the situation provided. Shake my bosses hand and thank him for the opportunity, but tell him that I've found a position that better suits my passions or better supports my financial needs outside the office.

[Houngan]

Don't get fired. That matters, and in most states you do get to ask the previous employer "would you re-hire this person?" A "no" is usually a one-way trip to the trash can. It's a hirer's market out there, you should act accordingly.

Don't underestimate how much your dissatisfaction is coloring your assessment of the work environment. There is a very, very good chance that your boss has no idea you are dissatisfied and will be willing to do all sorts of things to help you out. Getting in a bad mental state causes you to project it on others, when really most people just want to make others happy and not rock the boat. Go in with a reasonable plan of what you would want to change, and let them know that the situation isn't tolerable as is. You might be surprised.

Also, any big gap in employment will be a red flag, avoid if at all possible, or have a damned good story to go along with it. Don't underestimate going back to school, persuing a passion, traveling the world, etc. Those things are impressive.

Lastly, depending on your field, you should immediately contact some recruiting firms. They may very well have something great just sitting in their queue.

[Bahimiron]

Skyhook.

[Houngan]

Skyhook.

Winner.

[Timemaster Tim]

They keep changing my job description away from what they originally hired me for. I was supposed to do customer support, now they changed that for sales which I'm not good at.

I am not familiar with US employment law. Could changing the job function like this be construed as constructive dismissal?

[Jab]

I doubt it as when I started working I remember having to sign a contract stating that they reserve the right to alter or change my job to match the needs of the company. About not reading the email right, our manager came into a meeting a few weeks ago and told us that if we weren't good at selling or didn't want to that maybe we should start "cleaning up our resumes".

[Lunch of Kong]

Best way to leave a crappy job:

1. Find new job with potential to not be crappy.
2. Give notice and leave old job.

[Robert Sharp]

For me, as soon as I know I will be leaving a job (for whatever reason), everything that was so stressful becomes MUCH easier. Just knowing it will be done at some point is very liberating. So start looking for someone else and then relax at work, knowing that you could still quit if it gets too bad, and that this particular job is no longer that important to you. Even so, remember that your reputation as an employee IS important to you. Don't screw them over or anything. Do your job well. Make them miss you when you are gone. This is your chance to turn the tables. You don't need them. So make them feel like they need you, even as you are planning to leave.

This will result in better references (if they will give them), but more importantly it helps set up good habits for your future and will instantly give you some much needed perspective.