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female
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anonymous
writes: Basically i have been really considering leaving my job in the fall. I feel like i am stuck and after almost 5 years if i stay another year, my job as an assistant will basically be my career. I am also very tired of the labor aspect..being on my feet during a busy season copying and scanning hundreds of reports..i just really had enough. I have some money saved and staying with family so i figure now is the chance to take a gamble and hope it doesn't take me forever to find another job. I am willing to take something part time in the meanwhile to keep my savings..even something in the field i am looking to give a chance (HR). I would be happy doing that just to gain some experience if i can find it. I hope it's not a mistake since i know there are so many people just happy to have a job..i was feeling like that for awhile and now it's just not enough to just have a job.The problem is: my main and direct coworker will be on leave around december or so. I was planning to leave about a month before this to atleast give them some time to hire a temp or something. I do feel bad b/c i know it will be stressful on both her and my boss because only my coworker knows how to do this certain project that is labor intensive..so she will have to train. Alot of people told me though that i can't think like this and they always need to be prepared for people to leave and i need to do what is best for me at this point. And once she is once leave it seems like i am stuck there til she gets back..it will be hard to go on interviews or look for other opportunities or even take an offer..and she already told me she is going to take extra time off unpaid. So it will really be sticking me at this place even longer with this work. I get almost anxious thinking another year is going to go by and then i am another year older in my twenties which is going by fast. I just keep thinking i may need to take a step back to move forward..hope that i get something even part time for new experience, or ask to volunteer to fill any gap in my resume while looking for a job.Given the situation, i don't want to tell my boss i am quitting to quit. I just feel like it will look really bad..like i don't want to handle this work when she is gone..which is pretty much true. I had enough and during our busy time i feel physically tired..everything is just so tedious..and to take it on by myself isn't worth it to me anymore. I would rather tell her i was offered something by an old employer where i used to work part time. I kept in touch over the years etc. I think this is fine to say to her and everyone who will be asking..my problem is..what happens when i apply to other places and they want to call my boss now for a reference..won't she be confused? and will it all be figured out? A friend of mine said once i leave, i leave..if i apply for another position i can give her a heads up through email and say i wasnt able to stay at that other position long, i decided to visit family and figure out what i wanted to do. She said whats wrong with that and its her choice if she doesnt believe you..and probably after so many years and me not even being there anymore she won't care enough to really question me and has her own life.So i guess my questions are what do i do about all of this? And do you think this is the worst possible mistake or now is the time i can take a chance like this since i am not married, no kids and i have the blessing that i have family right now and money saved. I obviosuly don't want to be out of work for 2 years or anything..just a huge part of me doesn't want to do this type of work anymore..i feel like its enough after almost 5 years, i definitely did my part. The people i work with aren't bad and i will probably miss a few of them..it could be alot worse..but just the work itself..i almost feel like maybe me staying here is going to set me back alot more than leaving..b/c if i leave and remain productive with my time-- a part time job, volunteering it may help me in the future..i also not making really big money now(its decent for the work i do) so i am not even expecting to find a high paying job.i feel like i should be doing something else at this point and if i stay while she is on leave i am stuck here til next spring..it doesnt seem possible or right to quit while she is gone leaving everything up in the air for them to figure out.
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female
reader, chocoholicforever  +, writes (20 August 2011):
It sounds like you're really in a dilemma.
There's a few options to consider when making your decision;
1. In this difficult economy, many people would say that you're lucky to even have a job at all, which is true. This is not to say that you have to stay in a dead-end job or one that you hate and not have any career ambitions, not t all. Rather what it means is that since finding a new job can be very difficult these days because the unemployment rate is so high, every open position has tons of applicants, therefore, why not stay in your current job while you send out applications and go for job interviews, and only once you have a new job lined up with an offer, then quit your present job. I have friends who, 2 years ago, quit their jobs because of job disatisfaction, and have remained unemployed ever since because of how difficult it is to get jobs right now.
2. However if your current job situation is untenable, like if you really can't stand it, and you can honestly say you would rather be unemployed for up to a year (or more) than stay on another day, then by all means quit your job now if you have a safety net in the form of savings or family.
3. Don't feel guilty for leaving your job - this is business, every employer deals with employees leaving at some point. But how and when you tell your boss that you're leaving, could make a difference between staying on good terms or burning bridges.
4. Other options are to stay in your current job for now but try to do everything in your power to make the job more satisfying to you or to get into a different career path. Who knows if you succeed in this it may lead to new paths you never dreamed of.
good luck!
A
male
reader, Kyle007 +, writes (19 August 2011):
People can always replace themselves, you can get yourself replaced, and you can also move on to another career. Have you ever considered working part time for yourself at home?
Anyway, I am not saying this to be mean, but you might get better advice on a forum that has to do with business. This has to do with love and relationships. Unless you are considering marrying out of this situation?
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A
female
reader, PerhapsNot +, writes (19 August 2011):
 From personal experience, I advise you to stay at your current job while you look/apply to other jobs. It's always easier to find work when you're employed than unemployed. Unemployed people are unfortunately seen as some type of defects - that their work ethic is lacking or that they didn't have enough skills to keep their previous job. The economy is rough (though the job market in your area may be thriving) and employers are more reluctant to take people who are looking to change careers. Be prepared for to wait a while, unless you already have a good network/contacts that can aid in your job search.
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A
male
reader, olderthandirt  +, writes (19 August 2011):
 There are few things worse than hating your job. I'd reccomend you begin looking for other employment. Wait until you find the job and are actually hired before quitting the one you have though...makes it so much sweeter to just walk in one day and "tell them off!" but you can not even think of that until your new job is real.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (19 August 2011): Why don't you ask for a cut in hours where you are do part-time - or a career break - are these possible? If you have a 3 month break you would have time to think and consider your future,apply for other jobs.Do you have any holidays left?
If your really not happy and want more its going to get worse as time goes on, when you have no responsibilities it's an ideal time to sort your future.So if you can't think of any other way then leave but first at least try looking for another job
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