People resign without a job for reasons like prioritizing mental/physical health, seeking better work-life balance, needing flexibility for family or relocation, pursuing education, starting a business, or simply needing a break from a toxic or unfulfilling role to focus on a dedicated job search. It's often a strategic move to fully commit to self-improvement, family, or finding the right next opportunity, rather than staying in a bad situation or leaving a good one prematurely.
Keep It Brief: If you prefer not to go into detail, a simple, ``I've decided to take a break to reassess my career goals,'' can suffice. Remember to maintain a professional tone and avoid negative comments about your current employer or coworkers.
Resigning without another job is a viable strategy when planned and supported by savings, a fallback income plan, or urgent health/family reasons. It often yields short-term uncertainty but can produce better long-term alignment if managed deliberately.
For example, maybe you resigned without an offer because you decided to focus on school and devote as much time to it as possible so you can do better and/or complete it faster. You might have resigned without an offer because there was some kind of family or personal emergency.
What's a good reason for leaving a job?
Some good reasons for leaving a job include company downturn, acquisition, merger or restructuring as well as the desire for change — be it advancement, industry, environment, leadership or compensation. Family circumstances may also be a factor.
The "3-month rule" in a job refers to the common probationary period where employers assess a new hire's performance, skills, and cultural fit, while the employee learns the role and decides if the job is right for them; it's a crucial time for observation, feedback, and proving value, often with potential limitations on benefits until the period ends. It's also advice for new hires to "hang in there" for three months to get acclimated and evaluate the job before making big decisions.
Quitting your job without another job can be a practical decision or a beneficial move for your health. If you quit gracefully, leaving a job before securing another a job doesn't necessarily impact your employment prospects.
15 acceptable reasons for leaving a job (with example answers)
The biggest signs you should quit are consistent toxic behavior, zero growth opportunities no matter what you try, work that's actively hurting your physical or mental health, situations where you're being asked to compromise your values, and pay that's way below market with no real path to fix it.
The biggest red flags at work often center around toxic leadership, poor communication, and a high-turnover culture, signaling deep issues like micromanagement, lack of transparency, burnout, and disrespect, where problems are normalized and employee well-being is ignored in favor of short-term gains. Key indicators include managers who don't support staff, excessive gossip, broken promises, constant negativity, and environments where speaking up feels unsafe or pointless, often leading to high employee churn.
Essentially, there is no difference between resigning and quitting. Resigning is a more formal and professional way of saying "I quit." It is important to leave on good terms with a company because they could be used as a future reference.
A 30-60-90 day plan is a document used to set goals and strategize your first three months in a new job . 30-60-90 day plans help maximize work output in the first 90 days in a new position by creating specific, manageable goals tied to the company's mission and the role's duties and expectations.
What not to say in a resignation letter
The biggest red flags in an interview often involve toxic culture indicators like the interviewer badmouthing past employees, aggressive pressure to accept quickly, extreme vagueness about the actual job, or a disorganized process. These signal potential issues with management, a poor environment, or a desperate need to fill the role, rather than finding the right fit, showing a lack of respect for you or the position.
An employee may resign without notice if there is just cause, such as: Serious insult by the employer or representative. Inhuman or unbearable treatment. Commission of a crime or offense by the employer against the employee or their immediate family.
For example, you might say: While I valued the experiences and opportunities in my previous role, I decided it was time to move on. I realized that to support my long-term career goals and secure a better future for myself and my family, it was essential to explore new opportunities.
You don't have to give a reason for your resignation. However, if you're resigning because of something your employer did, you should say this in the letter. This will give you evidence if you decide to take legal action against them.
You Had Personal Issues to Deal With. No one can expect you to put work above all else. Your family, health, and personal life are all important, so if a personal emergency got in the way of your previous job, it's an acceptable reason to quit.
Hello, [Supervisor Name Here]. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. It's been wonderful working with you at [Business Name Here]. After giving it a lot of thought, I've decided to move on and pursue some new opportunities.
It is sometimes referred to as quiet quitting, although it has nothing to do with people quitting their positions. It is the process of checking out emotionally, but physically being present. Workers complete their tasks, clock their time, and keep the bare essentials going, but they often fail to go that extra mile.
Relocating for personal or family reasons. Looking for a better work-life balance. Recovering from layoffs or company restructuring. Pursuing education or new skills.
Here's our comprehensive guide to help you spot a potential bad employer before you take a job that could turn into an on-going nightmare.
This is where the 70% rule comes in—a powerful job-search strategy that encourages you to apply for roles where you meet at least 70% of the listed criteria. Here's why it works: Your Skills Are More Transferable Than You Think.
How to explain employment gaps