Quitting job to look for new job fulltime, looks bad on resume? How to explain?
Asked by Robert W
I'm really trying to find a new job while I'm still at my current place, however, I'm finding it difficult to schedule all of these interviews because I would be calling out all the time. I find myself missing out on a lot of opportunities because of this. Especially since now a lot of the jobs I've been interviewing for want me to do several subsequent interviews. I'm considering just leaving my current job so I can look for a new one full time and can interview freely, but I'm afraid this will look bad on my resume if there's a gap. How can I can explain this to a future employer? Will this look really bad? I have 5 straight years of uninterrupted work history on my resume, so this will be my first potential gap...but I don't want this to become a trend in the future. I kind of feel like a loser not being able to do this while i still have a job when everyone else is, but the response I'm getting is pretty overwhelming and I want to explore them.

Best Answer:
"My previous position not only limited the uses of my skills and talents, but held back the opportunity to search for a better employment situation. Knowing the market and the ability I could bring to an employer, I chose to take a chance and leave that situation to better pursue a full time opportunity that was better suited to my needs in the long term" Or some such shite.

I know its tough but your best bet is to stay with this job until you find another one. Call in a few days sick. Nobody will ever know.
Answered by Kevin

say that you quit to start your own company, but it never worked out.
Answered by curmudgeon

A small gap is acceptable. If any explanation is necessary, you just state that it was not working for you, and you wanted to be able to focus completely on the next step, which is finding a job better suited, like the one you are applying for. State that you don't like to do things half way and that you commit to your decisions.
Answered by lawmom

Take vacation or sick time. It is always better financially and mentally on your part to have a job. Just remember the response is for an interview they can interview 50 people and offer garbage as pay. As they say show me the money!
Answered by Susan T

I quit my job at the end of May, because it was a complete POS. So now, if I'm asked, I'm "taking a break from work". I've been in the workforce for 25 years (the last 20 designing software). So taking a break at this point is probably acceptable. Doing this after just 5 years - well, if your break ain't too long then "taking a sabbatical" could be an acceptable description. Me - I'm just tired of working 60-70 hour weeks, year after year, then getting cut at the end of each 1-2 year project. Think I'll go stack shelves at Circuit City or something.
Answered by dryheatdave

I think what you need too work on is the interviews. When they call to schedule ask them when they are trying to fill the position. With multiple interviews they aren't in to big of hurry and should accept your schedule requirements. You need to weed out sucker offers by asking what the job pay range is over the phone before interviewing as to not waste everyone time.
Answered by Red