There’s a myth I’d like to bust.Some candidates ask me:
“Wouldn’t it be easier to resign first so I’m more available and can start sooner?”
I can see the logic. But in reality, it rarely works like that.
Good companies will wait for the right candidate. And if they won’t, they were probably not the right opportunity to begin with.
That question usually gets asked after they say something like…
“Mike, I’ve had enough. I can’t stand it anymore. I’m thinking of handing in my notice.”
And I get it.
You might feel stuck. Frustrated. Undervalued. Or maybe the progression you were promised hasn’t materialised.
But here’s the key point:
You never want to go from a bad situation to a worse one.
Because that’s exactly what can happen if you leave without a plan.
You resign with good intentions, to take your time and find the right role…
But then reality kicks in.
The bills don’t stop. Mortgages. Rent. Family. Life…
Suddenly, urgency replaces strategy, and you start thinking:
“I just need a job – ANYTHING.”
That’s when people take the wrong role out of desperation. And six months later, they’re looking again.
Now your CV starts to raise questions. It looks like job hopping, even though you left for the right reasons.
All of that because of one rushed decision.
That’s why my advice is simple:
Don’t leave without something else lined up.
And when you do move, it has to be a genuine step forward – something that develops you, challenges you, and moves your career in the right direction – not just an escape.
Otherwise, you’re just resetting the same problem in a new company.
And a similar point applies to interim roles.
Should you go interim while you figure things out?
They can work, but go in with your eyes open…
Most companies bring in interims to clear backlogs and handle the work others don’t have time for. The more visible, high-impact work usually stays with the permanent team.
That’s just how it works.
And if you bounce between short-term roles, it can start to create a pattern that raises questions.
So again, it’s not necessarily a bad option, but it needs to be a considered decision, not a reaction.
So what should you do if you’re in a role you don’t enjoy…?
It might not be what you want to hear, but…
You should stay. For now.
Keep getting paid, but use that time properly:
Get clear on what you actually want next. Be selective about the roles you explore.
Then move when the opportunity is right, not when the frustration peaks.
There’s a big difference between leaving strategically and leaving emotionally.
One moves your career forward, the other can set you back.
Don’t make the wrong choice.
Best regards,
Mike
