I have no job at the end of the month!

[spiderfrommars]

Thats right. I handed in my notice at the start of this month, basically because I've been a salesman for nearly 5 years and I've had enough! People think I'm a bit mad but I had to do something drastic, otherwise I'd be stuck in this one job forever.

I've put feelers out for other jobs, had one interview that came to nowt, and nothing's come back yet. I have a mortgage. Should I be scared?

Thing is, I don't regret my decision. The constant pressure of sales was getting me down. I understand the normal thing to do would be wait till I got another job first but I've never been one to be sensible.

I'm looking to stay in publishing but move over to editorial. Sadly the company has no current positions available for me so it'll have to come from elsewhere. I might have to do crappy jobs in the meantime to make ends meet.

Just thought I'd let everyone know whats going on as its been a weird time, plus I haven't had much time on my hands lately now that I do a lot with my band and the radio thing. I might be around a lot more though if things are crap next month.

If anyone has advice I'm all ears.

[Señior's Covenant]

...otherwise I'd be stuck in this one job forever.

Know how you feel there.

I've put feelers out for other jobs, had one interview that came to nowt, and nothing's come back yet. I have a mortgage. Should I be scared?

Personally, I would be. You? Eh, go with what you feel. If instinct later leans toward fear, yeah, run with that. No fear? I'd stay with that one until the prior mentioned.

Thing is, I don't regret my decision.

Good for you. Despite my mortgage, elec. & water/gas(home)/gas(car)/insurance (various) bills, car payments, and all the mouths I have to feed, groceries, etc., were I ever to alleviate myself of the stresses of this job I'd be a free and happy man... ...down at the unemployment office.

The constant pressure of sales was getting me down.

I feel ya on that one.

I understand the normal thing to do would be wait till I got another job first but I've never been one to be sensible.

That's the one thing that keeps me here when it gets tough.

I'm looking to stay in publishing but move over to editorial. Sadly the company has no current positions available for me so it'll have to come from elsewhere. I might have to do crappy jobs in the meantime to make ends meet.

Whatever it takes man. And good luck on starting that new career. I imagine it's great to do something you love for a living.

If anyone has advice I'm all ears.

As opposed to eight legs?

[Shanti418]

Not much advice except "Good Luck" and that it WAS muchos ballsy for you to quit without having something else lined up. But if the job's getting to you, the job's getting to you, eh?

Are you looking online as well? How far would you be willing to move for a job?

[spiderfrommars]

If instinct later leans toward fear, yeah, run with that. No fear? I'd stay with that one until the prior mentioned.

Thats the plan .

I imagine it's great to do something you love for a living.

Thats the dream mate.

Are you looking online as well? How far would you be willing to move for a job?

Not sure where to look online.

Moving's another issue, the house has been on the market for a few months anyway. Realistically I don't want to leave Oxfordshire, however I'd be down London in a shot if an opportunity came.

[Metal Vendetta]

The Writers and Artists Yearbook has lists of publishers and is available from your local library. I'd imagine that's a good place to start.

Good luck, dude. I did the same thing a while back and now I love my job. See if you can get an agent, it takes all the stress out of looking.

[spiderfrommars]

Sounds hopeful, cheers mate.

[Best First]

mate - i think you have done the right thing.

plus if you lose your house you can stay at mine.

serioulsy though i reckon you will be fine and i wish you all the fortuitousness in the world.

stay frosty.

[spiderfrommars]

And thats just what I wanted to hear.

[saysadie]

Sales for five years sounds like hell...

Definitely ballsy thing to do, definitely could be the right thing. Sometimes you've just gotta do it, eh?

You'll find gooder. Good luck man.

[Hound]

Well done matey. I wish I had the balls to do the same.

Would you want to stay in the London area?

[Scraplet]

Should I be scared?

I would be, but I've got three dependents and so decisions like that potentially have serious implications for them. BUT, if you have no dependents then you may as well use that to your advantage and make sure you're happy in you're work. I know I would (knowing what I know now, anyway ). Brave move, RESPECT!

As it is, I've just had to devise a three-year strategy to get me to where I want to be work-wise, and not have a (too) detrimental an effect on my family. Wish I could just do it now.........

[Eline]

Good luck!

I don't have any advise for you, I just hope you'll find something good soon.

If you still have a bit of money you can always take a short holiday to clear your head and get some inspiration.

[Autobloke]

Oxfordshire

Cool - I used to live in Halton, near Aylesbury. I worked in Thame and went to Oxford quite a few times.

And did I hear you say (or rather 'read you write') you were sort of connected to publishing in some way?
(reaches for the manuscript).

Good luck pal.

[Kup_1]

Wow, that took a lot of guts. Do you have some savings that would tide yyou over?

As a person also in sales, I know the feeling. But, I'm just not in the position to do this....

[Obfleur]

Good luck dude

[KingMob]

Nice one, glad you don't regret it at all. Jacking it in can be a great feeling!

I went through something similar last winter; jacked in my job without another one to go to simply as I was sick of it, fancied a career change.
Had to look for a new flat shortly aftterwards also, which was a pain. But it all worked out in the end.
My experience taught me that it's not a bad choice to do what you've done at all, as finding a new job isn't all that hard, just unpleasant...tho it also may be that if you're holding out for something in particular it may take a while tho, due to the intermittent nature of certain jobs coming up on the market.

I used an online jobs agency, one that came recommended and advertises strongly - it was crap, didn't really help. Went to one in the city as well, also crap. Those places just seem to want to send you for anything that comes up that you could remotely do, and if you're after a career change, they're hopeless at that as well, as despite telling them that, they still push stuff on you that's like what you've just quit. You also end up getting loads of offers to apply for rubbish office jobs, crap like that.
The old-fashioned ways of looking are probably still the best.

Mate, I wouldn't be scared, I'd be happy and confident. You have skillz, great experience and winning ways. Summer is a good time for doing this.
The only thing I'd mention as a caution is to try not to get used to having loads of free time to do whatever you want, as it ain't gonna last and you can't really afford to get into a rut. But on the other hand, don't stress all the time and be constantly on the jobhunt and get all narked with yourself. Enjoy the benefits of your position for a little while.

I hope things go well for you man, you deserve to get the kind of graft you want. Keep us updated, and you've done the right thing. Absolutely no point in sticking out a job that makes part of your exsistence a pain in the arse.

Good luck mate

[spiderfrommars]

Wow, cool, thanks chaps and chapesses.

KM, I know what you mean about job agencies. I may have to go with something like that as an emergency measure. Thanks for all the positive thoughts.

Kup, no savings, just a big overdraft limit!

Houndy, I might get away with commuting to London, we'll see.

AutoB, I'm in Marsh Gibbon, a lovely village between Aylesbury and Bicester. I really like the area and would be sad to leave my life here but we'll have to see.

Everyone else, you all rock.

[Pissin' Poonani]

Best of luck dude.

[Guest]

If anyone has advice I'm all ears.

As opposed to eight legs?

An ear on each leg - Can it get any better than that!

Spidey - go headlong into radio. It's always sounded like it's been a passion when you were doing it, and if Andi Peters can make the $$$'s with tosh of the pops, then you should be able to make a bundle with The Download and its potential many as yet unspawned progeny.