Foreword

In June, a series of events pushed me out of my comfort zone and into a new stage of life.

This article isn’t about job-hunting techniques or strategies. Instead, I want to capture the intense ups and downs I went through during this period—from quitting without a new job lined up, to searching for opportunities, and finally, to landing a new role. It’s a raw account of self-doubt, stress management, and learning to coexist with uncertainty. I hope that by writing this down, I can sort through my thoughts and create a record of this journey.

If You Can, Avoid Quitting Without a Job Lined Up

Quitting without a new job secured—sometimes referred to as “quitting without another job lined up”—means resigning from your current position before securing your next opportunity.

For me, looking for a new position while still employed is challenging. My current job already consumes most of my energy, and when you have a good work environment and get along with your colleagues, it’s even harder to make the decision to leave. However, if you do quit without a plan, the financial pressure from losing your salary can quickly set in, leading to anxiety.

Therefore, if you’re set on changing jobs, I’d recommend actively planning and preparing during your free time while you’re still employed. It’s best to secure an ideal opportunity before you resign. This not only maintains a stable income but also offers both financial and psychological security during the transition, reducing future uncertainty.

Of course, quitting to focus solely on job hunting is also an option, but it may come with the following risks:

1. The immediate financial pressure of losing your income.
2. A sense of anxiety from uncertainty about finances and future prospects.
3. Constantly doubting your own abilities.
4. A temporary loss of clear goals in life.
5. Physical reactions to stress (e.g., stomach discomfort, sweaty palms).

Who Wants to Leave Their Comfort Zone for No Reason?

If your current job is perfectly adequate, why consider leaving? It usually comes down to one of the following reasons:

1. Family-related factors.
2. Difficulties with colleagues.
3. The salary is not enough.
4. A lack of space for future growth and development.
5. The effort you put in doesn’t match the rewards you receive.
6. A mismatch with your manager’s or the company’s philosophy.

Of course, there are many other reasons. But before deciding whether to switch jobs, it’s worth thinking carefully about what you can tolerate and what you can’t. After all, there’s no guarantee that the next job will be better.

Believe in Your Abilities

In the professional world, finding a job that matches your skills, offers ideal compensation, and is close to home naturally requires a lot of time and effort in preparation and patient applications.

When you send out your resume and hear nothing back, it’s incredibly easy to start doubting your own abilities and fall into a spiral of anxiety and self-criticism.

Getting no response after applying is common, and there are many reasons behind it. Sometimes, it’s simply because your resume is missing certain keywords, your qualifications don’t match the role’s requirements, or the company has put a temporary freeze on hiring. It doesn’t necessarily mean you aren’t capable.

Instead of getting trapped in self-doubt, try to see these situations as an opportunity to adjust your strategy, figure out where the problem might be, and make improvements.

⭐ Remember: Anxiety solves nothing. When facing the unknown, all we can do is be 100% prepared.

Try to Reframe Your Perspective

1. I was bound to leave my job eventually—now or a few years later. By acting now, I’m simply being proactive in finding a better fit.
2. Job hunting is a two-way street. It’s not just the company evaluating me; I’m also assessing whether this company aligns with my future plans and expectations.
3. Every application and interview is a chance to learn and explore. Regardless of the outcome, I’m gaining experience and getting a clearer sense of my own direction.
4. Consciously create small wins, starting from little things, to gradually rebuild your confidence.
5. What I’m experiencing right now isn’t stagnation. It’s a period of gathering energy to prepare myself for the next chapter.

Find Your Best Support System

I am very fortunate to have my family by my side.

My partner’s support has been a constant source of strength. When I was temporarily without an income, they would say reassuringly, “Don’t worry, I’ve got you.”

My family has also been incredibly encouraging, constantly telling me not to rush the job search and to take my time. They even said that finding a job a bit later would be fine, as it would give us a chance to travel in July.

This support has, to some extent, eased my anxiety about the unknown and reminded me that I’m not facing this alone.

Everything Will Get Better

The process of sending out applications, preparing for interviews, and waiting for results can easily make a person anxious and down, and the lack of social interaction can even lead to a state of depression.

Try to get out more, talk to people, and avoid shutting yourself away. This helps prevent you from falling into a state of constant self-depletion.

The biggest danger in job hunting is getting stuck in a negative loop: you feel anxious because you’re not hearing back, the anxiety makes every day a painful cycle, and the lack of social contact makes you focus even more on the setbacks, which in turn creates more severe anxiety.

The most effective way to break this cycle is to deliberately engage in activities unrelated to your job search, just to give yourself a break.

My Hopes for Myself

Because I’ve always set high standards for myself and am a bit of a workaholic, I always want to be making breakthroughs in my career. However, this trait has sometimes brought on anxiety and self-doubt.

In just seven days, I actively searched for a more suitable job, gradually adjusted my mindset, and got back on track. There may be more challenges ahead, but this is exactly the kind of growth I was hoping for. From where I stand now, everything is moving in a better direction.

Finally, I hope that in this brand-new environment, I can leverage my strengths and deliver value.