When you can't stand your job anymore....

**Posts:** 432 · by **gianttcr** » Tue Sep 08, 2015 9:33 pm

.....what do you do? Especially if you don't have anything else lined up to fall back on.

I've been working for the same company for many years now in different outside sales capacities, and it has now gotten to the point where I am very close to calling it quits. The long drive to the territory, all the training classes that they dump on us, reporting, and worst of all, I have to deal with a a dissatisfied high profile / high revenue client who is making my life a living hell. It has gotten to the point where opening up my laptop in the morning just makes me sick to my stomach, since it invariably devolves into solving complex high level issues that are beyond my control. In an attempt to find an exit strategy, I have been courting recruiters and job boards in an effort to find something that will hold me over in the interim . Unfortunately, I haven't had much luck finding something else, so these feeling of consternation are only compounding and adding to my stress level.

So what should I do? Should I just get up and quit? I have a solid resume and have worked in high earning capacities - perhaps a break to regroup from it all is what I need? The peril of quitting your job of course is having to answer for gaps in your resume, not to mention losing your "game" and becoming complacent. From a financial aspect, I can easily take off six months to a year with all the saving that I have accrued over the years. Moreover, everything I own is paid for and I don't have any kids to support. My main concern is my peace of mind and health; I feel like they being compromised as a result, even though I am physically active and don't indulge in vices to deal with stress. My motivation is really tumbled into the abyss too....................I feel like I want to crawl into a hole and hide......seriously.

**Posts:** 12131 · by **Richard@DecisionSkills** » Wed Sep 09, 2015 2:37 am

Stay with me past the next paragraph.

You are putting way too much credence into the value of your resume and your image. What is the absolute worst that could happen if you were to get fired? You really think if you were to get fired that you would not find another good job in sales? You think a "gap" really matters that much? People have recovered from much worse than getting fired or a gap. I have sat on the interview side of the table, hiring hundreds and I guarantee you that a solid resume is not hurt by one or two discrepancies. In fact, YOU ARE IN SALES, the number one product you should be able to sell is yourself. I don't care if you murdered someone and kicked a puppy was on your resume, if you are great at selling then you will land that next job, right?

So here is what you do...yes you quit, but this doesn't mean right away. Keep at your current job while you search for a better opportunity. At the same time, with respect, grow a pair and don't let any client run over you, no matter how big a profile or how big an account they represent. Be professional, but handle them, have confidence. That is your role in sales. Are you Don from MadMen or Steve Carrell from 40 Year Old Virgin? If you get fired, so what? It is a life experience. At least you have your respect and a stronger sense of self moving forward.

IMO you have allowed your fear of a ruined reputation or spot on your resume allow yourself to be run over. If you continue down this path the next job will be the same. It's okay to get a little dirty.

**Posts:** 66 · by 47 » Wed Sep 09, 2015 6:15 pm

I can only empathise: I'm in a similar position and have just handed in my notice without a job to got too. I just need a break to recover.

My advice is to talk to someone in HR about it before things get much worse. Try and sort something out, perhaps they will allow you to take an extended break and come back. I've seen other people suffer from stress, take a break and come back.

I didn't want to be one of those people who disappear at the first sign of trouble, claiming "I'm stressed", but I wish I had now I'm broken, people hate my guts, and have to leave which is very bad for me but also not good for the people for I've had to leave in the lurch. I'm trying to say no one wins least of all you. I was also surprised by how understanding HR have been, (but I don't have the strength to carry on now).

If you used to enjoy your work and still get on well with your colleagues don't throw it away. Do what I didn't do and seek help before it is too late. (As always, easier said then done.)

**Posts:** 14 · by **medusa999** » Mon Sep 14, 2015 11:20 am

All I can say is, I have L-O-A-T-H-E-D my job since the first day of it 7 years and 2 months ago. I simply have no choice but to be there. It is production work, and would be a nice job if the company had any respect for it's employees. (Arkansas has very few labor laws). Among the employees, gossip/sh** starting is the order of the day. Unlike you, I don't have to interface with anyone which suits me just fine. If I DID have to talk to and interact with them I would probably be in a fight three days a week. When I am NOT there, I feel so much better like I am actually lighter. Also, in that environment, the better worker you are, the LESS they want to let you have time off, because they "need the speed". I have tried twice n the last two years for a LOA, and have been refused,('sorry, we can't spare anyone for that time") only to have someone else ask for one after me, and get it. I tried to quit once and they actually begged me to stay. It has improved somewhat now since a managerial shift, but it still sucks.

**Posts:** 432 · by **gianttcr** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 10:06 pm

Richard@DecisionSkills wrote:Stay with me past the next paragraph.

So here is what you do...yes you quit, but this doesn't mean right away. Keep at your current job while you search for a better opportunity. At the same time, with respect, grow a pair and don't let any client run over you, no matter how big a profile or how big an account they represent. Be professional, but handle them, have confidence. That is your role in sales. Are you Don from MadMen or Steve Carrell from 40 Year Old Virgin? If you get fired, so what? It is a life experience. At least you have your respect and a stronger sense of self moving forward.

IMO you have allowed your fear of a ruined reputation or spot on your resume allow yourself to be run over. If you continue down this path the next job will be the same. It's okay to get a little dirty.

I agree with your observation and have said that to myself many times. But if you read your last paragraph you will understand what my dilemma is, namely the part about "your next job being the same". Based on the recruiters that have courted me and the ones I reached out to, everybody tries to place you in the same field or market based on your job history; I'm done with that part and don't want another career in sales. So I'll quit, take six months off, and then end up in another sales career? Screw that. I can't stand all the layers of phony reporting, meetings. initiatives, metrics, initiatives, projections, conference calls, etc. It is such a phony environment. I guess that I've reached a tipping point. Having a shitload of cash sitting around makes it tempting to call it a day and coast on easy street for while. I did that many years ago--took off for six months-- and it was very hard to get motivated again to look for gainful employment.

The only viable option is to work for myself. Although I'm very affable and an all-around "people person", the corporate world with its phony veneer is making me extremely cynical and borderline hostile.

**Posts:** 16 · by **lostwoman** » Tue Sep 29, 2015 8:44 am

resign...
find a better one..
wht's the point of having money when you are not even happy for most of the time(9 to 5)
i left my job...and now i'm atleast not going through the hell every day..

When you can't stand your job anymore....

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