Ok, here's the situation. Hopefully you guys can advice me on what I should do.

I'm quite unhappy with my current job as an Account Manager, in the auto-ID barcoding industry. I've been working on this job for about 3 years. Prior to this, I was a software programmer for abouot 2 and a half yrs, and now, i have the full intention and desire to pursue and continue my career in the Sales line.

I plan to submit my resignation by the end of this month, and take a short break for myself. Maybe about 3 weeks to 1 month before i start hunting for a job again. Do some soul searching. Problem is, how will prospective employers view this when I start going for interviews for a new job?

They will probaly ask why I quit, or what have i been doing for the past one month or so. Personally, I think regardless of what reason I give, alarm bells will start ringing in the interviewers head. Will it be a good thing to just say that I am still employed with my current company even though im not? Any other good explainations?

Part of the reasons i'm unhappy is because of the salary. Also because of my job scope and such, I've done all i can, but things are still the same. And i dont really think prospective employers will view this as a good enough reason for leaving.

So guys...and girls. Whats your advice ono this situation and how do i go about it?

Thanks!

by the way, do you have family to support? i mean anything that you need to have a steady income to keep going? if not, it is good to have a break too. most people comtemplate to quit but held up by this monetary commitments. after the break, i believe you will be more fresher and have more ideas for your next career change.

No, I don't have a family to support. I'm 26. I have some savings for a for my monthly payments, but not for TOO long. Lol, but enough to take a nice break for a month.

So, will this be an issue for the prospective employer? What can my response whenn they ask "So why did you leave your last job?".

If you BELIEVE that taking a break will help you refocus your mind and lay down some concrete long terms goals, there is no reason why you won't be able to relate this to the employer. No decent employer is unaware of how "human" people can be. They will take you in because of who you are and who you choose to be, not because of what you have done.

Cheers mate.

maybe you can say u resign coz ur (close relative) diagnose with cancer and u wan to spend ur time taking care of of him/her and taking him/her to travel for 1 whole month.

they would probably ask u the reason why u quit.
i resigned fr my previous job in 1st week of march. now onli managed to get another job. usually i tell them tht i was too tired after workin for 2 years n personal matters to attend to. yea, they'll go "so brave of u to have resigned when no new job yet"

when taking a break be productive...learn something new..take short course or something..hold charity events....it will look good and when heard sounds nicer then saying oh~ i was just bumping around taking a whole month to sleep in off my stress....

I always have this feel too, feeling of being fed up with my current job and want to quit for good. I envy anyone who can really quit in action, changing is good, doing the samething for 100 years and no change, is no good and boring.

I worry thou, what will i do if i quit, if i fed up with current job(IT support) will i be fed up again if i find a similar job? What should i do? Maybe i should go and plant vegetable, i really mean it, been dealing with machine too much, want to deal with some living thing.

my cousin and college friend took a month off before changing to a new job. To me, it doesn't matter whether you take a break or not...but not too long lar 1 month is about the limit ady. Those interviewers will have encountered this situation many times before. Just answer them honestly when you go for interview. Good luck

before you quit, you have one more thing to think of-when can you get a new job?
if you quit but still unable to find a new job say within the next 3 months, how are you going to answer to the interviewer?you can't say "oh I quit 3 months back but unable to find a job recently" right?if u want to take a break, make sure you save enough for at least 3-4 months, then quit...it took me 4 months to find a new job after i left the previous one.....but the 4 months break was worth it

Well taking a break is definitely good, everyone needs a break once in a while to break the daily routines of our lives. Just be honest with the interviewer, its not like you are leaving your current company due to stupid reasons but really valid ones.

Besides, I believe that the interviewer would be thinking, "Now why didn't I take a break like this guy here to get some perspective right...".

An ex-colleague of mine quit after I did, to go backpacking for 3 months in Europe with his wife! And no they aren't that old, around mid twenties methinks. So nice. So in regards to your question:

What Were You Doing for a Month Prior to this Job?

a) setting my priorities right
b) taking a break. It is what it is
c) <insert a new skill here that you might've learned to get your new job>

Nice!!

Very good and informative replies indeed. Thank you! You people have given me a little bit of motivation to do what I wanna do.

Will keep your advices in mind. Makes a lot of sense. Lol.

Thanks!

If I were you, I will travel to overseas, both first and third world countries, like Europe, Egypt, US, Japan, Africa provided financially able of course.

With such adventure, you can see things what Malaysia do and do not have. There are a lot of things can see actually if you stay oversea longer. So, you will have clearer direction of your life and career and aware of your current position in international context.

I will say these things to interviewer. My thought.

Actually I haven't done such a thing before, but perhaps before going off for your long holidays you can start applying in Jobstreet or Jobsdb but mention that you are only available for interview after 1 month later or that you can start a month later. I am sure that if u have the talents companies are willing to wait.

almost similar to the above suggestion..... its common practice for big companies to impose 3 months resignation notice, therefore let the new/prospective employer to assume it as such.

apply for jobs before hand, go for interviews, all at the expense of the existing employer. play safe, chart your course and clearly state to future employer/s during the interviews that you'll only be available after the conculsion of 3 months notice.

further to that, only submit your resignation letter AFTER you've received an offer letter from future employer/s. THEN only you go and take the allegedly much needed break. play safe, you get your break, and a guaranteed job to come back to. the job market is shrinking, better play smart.