Leaving job without having another?

If I were to leave in the next 30- 60 days without a job lined up, how would prospective employers view this? I have money saved up so I am not worried about the financial consequences of going a few months without work, I am more worried that other employers will view it suspiciously that I up and left a company with nothing else lined up. Is this a reasonable concern?

7 Comments
 

I think it would be unwise, mostly because in 99.99% of cases, it's unnecessary. Why can't you start pounding the pavement now and just find another job while still collecting a paycheck?

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

Always better to have a job when looking for a job. Your concern is legitimate, employers will view you differently. Why use your savings when you can still draw a salary? Job moves can take longer than you plan for.

I'd stick it out. Everyone has worked in jobs past the point that they wanted to be there. Just commit to making a move and keep at it applying / networking. Best of luck!

 

skippy it's your first job and you've been there 9 months. i think it's rare for people to love their first job. unless you get beaten every day and locked in a closet, stay and keep collecting that paycheck. there's nothing wrong with leaving 'sooner than later' because the gig wasn't what you thought, especially since it's your first gig.

from the prospective employers side, let's say you don't find something after the first few months. the resume will show a gap. small, and may be explainable. but the larger that gap grows, the worse it looks for you.

 
Most Helpful

I left my first job out of college without anything lined up; left after 6 months. In short, things did not go as planned after graduation and I ended up taking a job neither related to what I studied nor my interests. If you have already been there for 9 months, I don't see why you can't finish the year. In my case I was fortunate enough to have an offer a month later.

In regards to prospective employers and their concerns, just have your story/reasoning for leaving down. And just make sure to do your research about the roles and companies you are applying to, the last thing you want is to find a new job and want to leave soon again.

One thing is leaving your first job before a year or whatever, another thing is not being able to commit to a job. So whatever your next job is try to commit to it more than a year so you won't get branded as a job hopper etc.

Good luck on your job hunt.

 

Ut mollitia consectetur magni voluptas quos minus. Sunt omnis omnis in. Soluta accusamus quas et neque eum dolorem non.

Voluptas enim odit sint nesciunt velit. Dignissimos molestiae qui labore odio. Aut voluptatum magni ut facere autem at voluptas.

Vitae distinctio facilis ratione distinctio. Consequatur explicabo cumque ipsam deserunt ratione sed dignissimos illum. Eos autem inventore doloribus odit minima laudantium. Repellendus sapiente in saepe dolorem.

Sunt quam consequatur corporis eos. Temporibus nihil dolorum et ad eum architecto. Qui neque ipsa quia officiis nemo.

“The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary.” - Nassim Taleb

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”