On August 9, 2010, Steven Slater secretly became an American hero when the JetBlue flight attendant who, after a particularly rough landing and getting into it with a passenger, epically declared he was “done”, grabbed two beers, and left by activating the emergency exit and sliding away. Listen, most of us have been there. So fed up with our job, our manager, our company, we picture ourselves riding out in a blaze of glory. While it doesn’t have to be in dramatic fashion, the question is a good one and has plagued us for decades. Should you quit your job without another job?

I Quit Without A Job, Here’s Why 

While I would never advise anyone to quit their job without another job, I do believe there are extenuating circumstances. In full transparency of the three times I resigned, only one was spontaneous and not at all advisable. The first time was to return to business school. So, that doesn’t really count. The second time I was reasonably close to receiving another job offer with a few more irons in the fire. After my father and a good friend died two weeks apart I needed a mental health break and used it as an opportunity to take a couple of months off. The third time, thank goodness there wasn’t an emergency exit nearby.

When I quit my job with a pending offer, I was miserable. I won’t go into details, but the work environment and culture wasn’t the one I had joined. We no longer shared the same values. Still, that alone is not a reason to just up and quit. Other circumstances made it more uncomfortable to stay than to leave and try something new. 

The third time is the real story. I was in a super toxic environment. Despite trying my best to make it work until I could find another job, I activated the proverbial emergency exit in the middle of a meeting. I was once again scolded for breathing, not being a mind-reader, and not filling out a spreadsheet correctly when I had had enough. Sadly, I wasn’t the only individual to walk out on this employer. Two of my colleagues walked out weeks before me. I decided I would rather face the unknown than continue to be abused. 

When To Leave Without Another Job

Almost every career coach or professional I’ve read or consulted agreed that if there is illegal activity, abuse, or harassment and you have no recourse, it’s best to be on your way. You don’t want to be around when the authorities come knocking to investigate potential criminal activity. There is agreement that health comes first in these situations. And since my blood pressure had reached 170/110, there was no doubt it was time to leave. 

Other times it’s acceptable to leave without a job is if you’re ready to make the jump and start your own company. Ideally, however, you would have started the business before leaving. Use your employed time as paid training and your paycheck to invest in your business and cover startup costs. So when I quit my job without another job, I did have a plan and a side hustle. It’s just that my side hustle became my main hustle when coronavirus hit.

Educational opportunity is another reason to bid farewell to your employer. This opportunity doesn’t necessarily mean going back to school; educational opportunities can take the form of a sabbatical. Of course, you should financially plan to be off work if that sabbatical isn’t covered. Before you quit, check with your employer to see if they offer any coverage during your leave, such as discounted health insurance, 401k participation, and so on. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. 

Why It’s Not A Good Idea To Quit Without A Job

Some companies, much to my disappointment, will not even consider a candidate unless they already have a job. During the economic disaster of 2008, many companies posted on their websites that if a candidate is not employed, they should not apply. Unemployment rates were astronomical, much as they are now with the COVID-19 pandemic, but companies took it as an opportunity to kick people when they were down. Even then, the practice was so awful that President Obama decried the tactic and called for states and legislators to outlaw it. 

Another reason is employers don’t like employment history gaps. It doesn’t make getting a job impossible, but you will need to have a good explanation for it. Imagine if you’re Steven Slater, what would you say? It’s best to stick with being accountable for the decision. Don’t bad mouth your previous boss or company. Say it wasn’t a good fit, describe what you needed, and concentrate on what you learned. The prospective employer is looking to see how you handle situations and if you’re a serial bolter. 

You Already Quit, What Next?

If you want another job, it’s best to work your network right away. Hopefully, you gave notice (I did), use that time to start your search. My philosophy is always to keep your resume ready. If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready. 

Get on platforms such as LinkedIn, Glassdoor, or Indeed. A little trick to getting noticed on LinkedIn is to be active. Don’t subscribe to the premium level of LinkedIn as it adds questionable value in the job hunt. At best, it allows you to email prospective contacts, but it doesn’t guarantee they will respond. You can only reach out once, so if they don’t respond, you can’t follow up. The other premium features are bells and whistles. 

I love Glassdoor because employees and candidates write reviews and rate the company. The company is not allowed to modify or have the review removed. Be sure to read the commentary, it’s enlightening. 

And get started with freelancing by visiting sites such as UpWork. A job search can take months. You have expertise that people are willing to pay for today, but they need to know how to find you. By 2027 more than half of the US workforce will freelance and participate in the gig economy. You never know, your side hustle may end up becoming your main hustle. 

But whatever you do, don’t be like Steven. If you must quit, do so gracefully, give notice, and be on your way. 

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below and share with your community. My promise is to create content that is inspirational, informational, and implementable. If you’re craving more excellent material on how to gain clarity, set goals, and get things done, subscribe below and follow me at @iamnileharris on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.