Should You Leave a Job Before Finding a New One? Insights for Burned-Out Executives

I have a client who is burned out, exhausted, and working 70-80 hour weeks post-organizational changes.

She asked me last week, if she left her job without having a new one, would it impact her search?

This was my answer:

Yes, it will impact your search.

But it may not impact it negatively.

What I've seen with my clients - now 500+ over the years - is that if you're in an impossible work situation, whether that's due to a bad manager, being pigeonholed, asked to take on work outside your role without remuneration, or just sick AND tired of your job and company, leaving (if you can, with insurance and savings) is the best option.

Why?

Because it's really hard to step into networking, applications, and interviewing with confidence when you don't feel confident.

When you feel exhausted.

When you feel de-valued.

When you feel taken advantage of.

Sometimes, getting space away from a job like this gives us exactly the clarity we need to find the RIGHT next role, instead of jumping into the next offer just to get away.

We all have to do what's right for us - and it's absolutely a privilege to be able to step away from full-time work, but I also believe we all DESERVE these kinds of breaks, to re-set.

Being human is not about productivity alone.

Being human is about enjoying our short lives, and work is an important part of that, but ONLY a part of it.

So, if you are miserable, my best advice is to leave if you can.

I've only seen it benefit jobseekers. I've seen it give them more focus, calm, and that they've performed better in interviews and with negotiations.

Yes, it goes against our 'work at every cost' ethos, but that may be just what you need.