search for a new job while working OR resign first?

@victorywp (3524)
United States
February 11, 2009 1:52am CST
i would like to get ideas from you guys here. i'm currently working in a small firm & was treated like a family in the company. the problem is the benefits you get from a small company are very much in contrast with medium or large firm. do you think one should begin to search for a new job while still working or one should first resign from their current job before gettting involve with new interviews?
10 people like this
23 responses
@regal_aeros (2605)
• Singapore
11 Feb 09
well, i would say search for a job whilst working. When the other company has confirmed you then you tender your resignation. I thought that was the normal practice.
3 people like this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
11 Feb 09
that was the normal practice. but the company i'm currently working with needs me & treats me like a family. so just wondering if it is good to search a job whilst working. it was like betraying the company i'm currently working with.
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
15 Feb 09
yeah but i know my company financial situation so much that it is impossible for them to give benefits like large firms do. thanks for you advice.
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
17 Feb 09
you are giving some great advices here! thank you very much, ShepherdSpy!
1 person likes this
• Janesville, Wisconsin
11 Feb 09
I do not think a person should ever resign until their new jobs is already in the door for them and there are working, especially now with bad global economy, make sure you have that new job before resigning so you do not end up stuck without a job at all. - DNatureofDTrain
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
11 Feb 09
yes, that is the problem if i think too much of the company treats me. do you think that by searching a job whilst working is betraying a company?
1 person likes this
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
11 Feb 09
Stick with the job you have while looking for work. It will be easier to find another job that way, and you will still be making a salary so you can pay the bills
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
11 Feb 09
It will be easier to find another job while still having one because, for some strange reason, employers like to hire people that are already working. Maybe it is because when you interview you are more relaxed and confident because you know that you are not desperate to get a job, you already have one
2 people like this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
11 Feb 09
how will it be easier to find another job that way? i will not be able to concentrate on my work, & have to take leaves for interviews. but 'still be making a salary so you can pay the bills' will be the benefit of not resigning first.
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
12 Feb 09
i have to agree with you on this. we might not realize that we are actually more confident with ourselves with a job on hand when looking for others. furthermore, the interviewer also will not play with your expected salary. some bosses like you & going to hire you, but tend to offer less than your expected salary just because they know you are desperate for a job.
1 person likes this
@aisaellis22 (6445)
• United States
16 Feb 09
Hello victorywp! I would say that you would rather look for a job first before resigning. Recession is happening everywhere and many are looking for jobs. Now only those small companies are surviving. Big companies are starting to close down so leaving your work without alternatives would be a bad move.
2 people like this
• United States
16 Feb 09
hehehe..thank you victory..I guess we all have to be aware about it..
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
16 Feb 09
thanks, you know quite well about what's happening outside although you are so young.
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
16 Feb 09
you are right. anyone should know about it...
1 person likes this
• Spain
8 Oct 09
I think that it is wiser to begin searching for a job while you are still working. This way you are still secure in case you won't easily get a new job. If you quit early and have difficulties finding for a new job, then you know what that means - no income. But this is still a case to case basis. Like for me, I resigned to my previous work without having a secured job. But I already have plans on putting a business that's why I decide to resign so I can focus more on my business. :)
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
9 Oct 09
i am still with my first job. i started this discussion more than 8 months ago & now i have been working in this company for more than 4 years already. i still have not found a job so i did not resign. thanks for the advice.
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
9 Oct 09
thanks for responding to this discussion & you know what? there are 3 person responded right after you responded here. you just brought new people to join an old discussion. that's really great!
• Spain
9 Oct 09
I guess it's better late than never. I'm glad you did what others had suggested. Thanks for still replying eventhough it's kinda late. :)
1 person likes this
@rdsantos (320)
• Philippines
8 Oct 09
it would be a lot easier if you look for new job while in your present job, so you won't lose job security. and besides you can always resign in your work after you got your new one.
2 people like this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
9 Oct 09
that's what people is doing nowadays. but what is different from my situation is that my boss treats me well & he is not anywhere near to my working place. if i resigned just like that, i don't think he can find a person to replace me very soon & take over whatever i am doing now.
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
14 Feb 09
Hello victorywp. I think that it is wise to always look for a job while you are still working for one company if you really intend to. Also if you like the current company and if it pays you well, then there is no need for you to change your job. Thank you for the discussion.
2 people like this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
14 Feb 09
thank you so much for replying too. i will surely take all the replies/advices into my consideration.
1 person likes this
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
20 Feb 09
I'd say look for a job first before you resign. It's much safer this way, you won't get the first job you apply in after you resign you know, there are processes and procedures that they need to do. Plus, most companies don't really have vacancies and if they do have vacancies, I'm sure over 100 applicants are on the rise to get that job. So, I'd say find the job first. Go to interviews, and choose and select which one would fit you the most, and if you find that job and you're given a contract, that's the time you resign. As my good friend in my Master's days would say, 'Look for a job even if you don't need it'. Enjoy searching!
2 people like this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
20 Feb 09
thanks for your valued advice for me. it's really helpful for me.:)
1 person likes this
12 Feb 09
I would say this is up to you and your cicumstances. If you can afford to be out of work while you look for another job and it would give you time to research what is available then do that. However if you need to work to pay the bills then find a job first most people do. As to your current employers when you have found something you can explain that you have enjoyed the job but feel it is time to move on and gain further experience. I have employed people in the past who have done that and it has not worked out and they have come back to work for me
2 people like this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
13 Feb 09
oh thank you so much for your advice. you have given your thinking in the point of view as an employer. i really appreciate it & i hope that my current employer can be as understanding & nice as you if things have not work out, as you have mentioned.
@vicky30 (4766)
• India
11 Feb 09
You should search for a new job while you are working.It is always better.If you resign first from your job and you don't clear interviews you will just be spending boring time at home.Look for a job that is enjoyable and gives you a very good salary.Good Luck in your job search.
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
11 Feb 09
yes, spending boring time at home is a nightmare. my online money earning still did not attain to a level that can support me staying at home :P. thank you for your wish too.
1 person likes this
@cream97 (29086)
• United States
20 Dec 09
Hi, victorywp. So, you won't be broke, it is best to stay on this job until you were able to find another one. That is the smart way of going about this. Then once you have found another job, then you can put in your two weeks notice.
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
21 Dec 09
great, thanks! in this way i would not ended up choosing a job that might be even worse than the one i have now (out of desperation because needing to pay my bills).
11 Feb 09
I don't think you should resign before getting a new job in your hand. When you are in a job, the new company which is hiring you thinks that you are in touch with the market conditions and your knowledge is updated. But if you try the job after sitting at home, the luck may not favour you and it may take some time in getting a right opportunity. The finances can be a problem during that time and you may be forced to join a job which might not interest you. Moreover, everybody look for good career avenues and growth for himself. So, even if the present company is treating you like a family, they won't mind if you are going for good. That's a professional approach,you see.
2 people like this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
11 Feb 09
great advice you are giving here! good points & really helping much in my considerations! thanks!
1 person likes this
@andiel (117)
• Malaysia
15 Feb 09
I believe you already found the responses you needed to make a good judgement. So, the conclusion is don't resign first before get a new job and talk with your employers, right? I just want to add that if you are ready to find a new job, make sure to check the background of the firm you want to applied.
2 people like this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
15 Feb 09
yes that's another helping tip! surely will first to check the background of the firm if i am to apply. nowadays many firms are closing down, even those who have been operating for decades.
1 person likes this
@anurag3786 (6267)
• India
8 Oct 09
i think it is necessary if you resigned any job..then first you search a job..before resigning job...i think..if you don't search any job..and you resigned..current job..then you will get unemployed.. and what you do..for earning.. so it is good to search a good job before resigned a job..
2 people like this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
9 Oct 09
yes, that should be the basic. we need to survive & pay the bills. without a job everything will be hard.
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
20 Feb 09
If it's workable, I would definitely look to be keeping your existing job whilst searching for a new one. It's a volatile market out there and the economies throughout the world are relatively unstable at the moment. You just never know what's around the corner and it would be a shame to resign from your existing job and then find yourself struggling to find a new position. The timing at the moment is also of concern because you will find that there are many graduates looking to enter the workforce right now, as they would have just finished their educations at the end of last year. My advice is that you hold on to the one you have and put your feelers out in parallel. Another thing to consider is that maintaining your existing job also allows you to be more selective with your future job choices. The last thing you need is to be feeling you HAVE to accept a job that is not quite what you're after, just because you haven't got a job at that time. Good luck!
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
20 Feb 09
good advice you have here & it's really helping. thanks a lot & have a wonderful day ahead!
1 person likes this
@youless (112586)
• Guangzhou, China
20 Feb 09
In fact I don't know why others can handle this case well. As to me, I have to resign at first so that I can search for a new job. As when I am working, it's difficult to take a day off to go to the interview. And sometimes you have to have the interview several times. This is very difficult for me to think out reasons to take days off. I think working in the small and big companies also have their advantages and disadvantages. If you feel happy to work there, it's good enough. I love China
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
20 Feb 09
hi youless! finally i received a response which is to resign first before looking for another one! LOL! yes it is very difficult to keep taking days off for interviews. but as for people who are working outside (like salesperson for example) will be able to go for interviews without taking days off.:)
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
9 Oct 09
hi victorywp do not leave your job as jobs are scarce now and look for a new job while still having the old so you have money and if you do not find the new job right away you will still have a paycheck. it is much smarter to do it this way as you will have money while you search after work.
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
9 Oct 09
thanks for the advice. that is the best way to do in order to survive my days at least with a paycheck to pay the bills & food.
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
19 Feb 09
I know you shouldn't quit a job that is paying the bills in order to seek out another one that is supposed to be better paying or has better benefits. It doesn't matter how many degrees you have or don't have in a particular field. Unless you know for certain that you have another job lined up then you should stay put. Especially with the way the economy is right now. There is one way I would break this rule, and that way is if I knew family members or friends that worked in other industries that could give me a job based on my work efforts and experience even without officially giving me an interview. Those type of jobs are rare these days though. And it could potentially be looked upon as the employer is being a bit bias in their hiring decisions. I've been with the same employer for the past 9+ years. There are quite a few things I don't agree with or don't like, but there are more things that I do like and I genuinely enjoy my job that I do here. I feel wanted and needed and those things are important.
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
20 Feb 09
thanks for your response. have a great day!
@ckyera (17331)
• Philippines
15 Dec 09
hello victory! its an 11 month old discussion but can i respond? hehe i am wondering if you are still on that work or you already find a new one? with me, well i guess you already resolved this issue but i will still answer...haha and all i can say is to stay in your work while looking for another job...that's the best thing to do and a sure thing...actually that's what i have done before...while i am still employed in one company, i still submit my resumes to other company...and for interviews, i just absent from work! well anyway, its only because i am not yet a regular employee in that company and i am looking for greener pasture and for company that's offering regularization... so just stay in the present work coz the salary that you can get will be a great help in your job hunting..its difficult to look for a job when you don't have money to use...
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
16 Dec 09
no problem, ckyera! of course you can reply to this discussion! you know what? i am still stucked in this company. i have gone to several interviews within these months but i still chose to remain in this company (even i have been selected by those companies).
• China
20 Feb 09
It's not easy to find a good job now.If I were you,I will look for a new job while i working.You don't know when will you get a job after you resign .But we need money to pay the bills .You consider much about your boss,but once he don't need you ,he will discharge you.
1 person likes this
@victorywp (3524)
• United States
20 Feb 09
i agree with you! sometimes we should not consider too much & need to be a little more selfish.