Dear Noodles,
I need your advice on a job-related matter. I am at a very stressful job that has affected my health. I have been looking for another job, but with no luck. There is enough money in my account for me to be unemployed for awhile while looking for another job.
My question is this: would it be wise to take the risk and be unemployed for awhile, or do I risk my physical and mental health by staying at a job that is making me sick?
Thanks!
Stressed Job Hunter
Well Stressed Job Hunter, times are tough.
My food humans have been talking about it too! They’ve been desperately trying to sock away this stuff they call “money” which I gather to be very important as they spend some of that stuff on me. They’ve even mentioned that if things go bad they’ll be munching on doggie kibble to get by! Can you believe it?? Soo crazy!
Right now things are tight for a lot of people and companies. Your particular situation will really depend on where you live and what your area has to offer in the way of jobs. Other humans that I know are being asked to do more than ever within the work day… with layoffs (is that the right word?) employers are seeking workers who can “do it all” and do it for the same pay.
The cautious, nap happy side of me recommends waiting it out for several more months and re-evaluating things at that time. I suggest something like a personal six-month timeline. During those six months you will work hard to make sure that if you make a jump you can do it comfortably. Sock away all the green stuff you can (and check the local papers and online job listings daily just in case a great opportunity comes along), gather letters of recommendation from co-workers and managers (you may want to sign up with http://www.linkedin.com/), tighten up and update your resume, also consider continuing education towards a field of work that interests you.
Having at least 9 months (a year would be even better) worth of money in the bank will give you the liquidity you may need to jump ship. Don’t forget all the expenses you will have and may have… medical insurance (consider smaller self-employed focused insurance companies… Assurant.com is one, you can google more), groceries, credit card debt, taxes, car insurance/registration, mortgage/rent, car repairs, kibble and catnip, etc.
At the end of your 6 months, evaluate your financial strength, the local and national economy (has it improved? Is it worse?), and the regional job offerings. If things seem to be aligning well, you may feel comfortable taking the jump. A word of caution, however, statistically those who are employed, fair better than those who are unemployed when seeking a new job.
I hope that things work out and that your local economy will open up and present you with a positive new direction to follow.
All good things,
Noodles
Ask Noodles Column : Submit your question to Noodles at TheGreatNoodles@gmail.com
By submitting your question, you grant Noodles & Max the Quilt Cat permission to publish it. Your name and email address will never be included or distributed. Due to the large number of naps that Noodles takes daily, there is no guarantee that he can get to all the letters, although he’ll try.
Noodles offers his feline opinions on a variety of subjects. He is a cat, and cannot be expected to know everything, even if he thinks so. His responses and opinions are strictly for entertainment. Should you find that the advice is good, then hooray for Noodles. If you disapprove or find it to be poor, keep in mind, he is a cat.
Noodles, Max and their food humans are not responsible for the outcome or results of following Noodle’s advice in any given situation. Readers & submitters are completely responsible for their actions and neither Noodles or Max (or their food humans) accepts any liability for any situation in your life past, present or future.
I need your advice on a job-related matter. I am at a very stressful job that has affected my health. I have been looking for another job, but with no luck. There is enough money in my account for me to be unemployed for awhile while looking for another job.
My question is this: would it be wise to take the risk and be unemployed for awhile, or do I risk my physical and mental health by staying at a job that is making me sick?
Thanks!
Stressed Job Hunter
Well Stressed Job Hunter, times are tough.
My food humans have been talking about it too! They’ve been desperately trying to sock away this stuff they call “money” which I gather to be very important as they spend some of that stuff on me. They’ve even mentioned that if things go bad they’ll be munching on doggie kibble to get by! Can you believe it?? Soo crazy!
Right now things are tight for a lot of people and companies. Your particular situation will really depend on where you live and what your area has to offer in the way of jobs. Other humans that I know are being asked to do more than ever within the work day… with layoffs (is that the right word?) employers are seeking workers who can “do it all” and do it for the same pay.
The cautious, nap happy side of me recommends waiting it out for several more months and re-evaluating things at that time. I suggest something like a personal six-month timeline. During those six months you will work hard to make sure that if you make a jump you can do it comfortably. Sock away all the green stuff you can (and check the local papers and online job listings daily just in case a great opportunity comes along), gather letters of recommendation from co-workers and managers (you may want to sign up with http://www.linkedin.com/), tighten up and update your resume, also consider continuing education towards a field of work that interests you.
Having at least 9 months (a year would be even better) worth of money in the bank will give you the liquidity you may need to jump ship. Don’t forget all the expenses you will have and may have… medical insurance (consider smaller self-employed focused insurance companies… Assurant.com is one, you can google more), groceries, credit card debt, taxes, car insurance/registration, mortgage/rent, car repairs, kibble and catnip, etc.
At the end of your 6 months, evaluate your financial strength, the local and national economy (has it improved? Is it worse?), and the regional job offerings. If things seem to be aligning well, you may feel comfortable taking the jump. A word of caution, however, statistically those who are employed, fair better than those who are unemployed when seeking a new job.
I hope that things work out and that your local economy will open up and present you with a positive new direction to follow.
All good things,
Noodles
Ask Noodles Column : Submit your question to Noodles at TheGreatNoodles@gmail.com
By submitting your question, you grant Noodles & Max the Quilt Cat permission to publish it. Your name and email address will never be included or distributed. Due to the large number of naps that Noodles takes daily, there is no guarantee that he can get to all the letters, although he’ll try.
Noodles offers his feline opinions on a variety of subjects. He is a cat, and cannot be expected to know everything, even if he thinks so. His responses and opinions are strictly for entertainment. Should you find that the advice is good, then hooray for Noodles. If you disapprove or find it to be poor, keep in mind, he is a cat.
Noodles, Max and their food humans are not responsible for the outcome or results of following Noodle’s advice in any given situation. Readers & submitters are completely responsible for their actions and neither Noodles or Max (or their food humans) accepts any liability for any situation in your life past, present or future.
2 comments:
That was great advice Noodles! I'll be looking forward to your weekly column. I may even ask you a question or two! Signed: Smokey8 (Twitter)
Thanks Smokey! I rubbed my little cat braincells together for that one :) Looking forward to your questions! >^..^<
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