re: Quitting a job when you don't have another one lined up.

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When can/should this be done?

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Only if your boss/employer is some sort of unbearable sociopath.

People nowadays seem to have these odd belief -- maybe from watching too many movies -- that something good will come out of telling the boss off, dropping the mic, and walking out. That crap is for TV and movies. In real life you lose your leverage when finding another job and negotiating salary, you'll probably lose any references from that employer, you likely won't be able to collect unemployment because you were the one who terminated your employment, and you'll probably have to explain the gap in employment to other prospective employers (hint: "I was tired of the boss's shite" is not a good answer). Almost all applications I've seen over the last few years have the phrase "explain any gaps in employment" in them.

Seriously, unless it's unbearable, you come from money, or aren't married and don't have any kids, I'd stick it out and just apply like crazy for other jobs.

I have done this, quit in Aug 2013 because I was fed up with my other job in Alabama. Sent my resume to a place in Baton Rouge and was hired in late September, made the move and started in early October. Was only unemployed for 1 month.

That's not that common, though. You shouldn't play those games without a backup plan or being certain that you'd get a raise. And if still have a backup plan bc your boss can say frick you just as easily as you can.

I've done it twice, but both times I didn't have a lot of financial obligations or was living with roomates that could cover my arse if need be. Would not do it again.

My dad just did this. He had a few leads and expected one 2-3 months down the road at worst. Been 6 months and miserable

I'm in the legal profession. You absolutely do not do this in this day and age or you're screwed.

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My dad just did this. He had a few leads and expected one 2-3 months down the road at worst. Been 6 months and miserable

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I feel for him. Unemployment is the absolute worst. I had an extremely tough time finding a job after I graduated from grad school back in '09, because that was the absolute height of the economic and unemployment crisis. Given that I started looking in March, it took me 7 months (felt like years) and quite literally hundreds of applications to get hired, and it was the first offer that came along. I was lucky enough that it was a good offer for a good company, because I would've taken anything.

Being out of work that long makes you depressed and feel unneeded, talentless, and worthless.

I did it. I had three months pay coming to me and the company agreed to pay it out in regular pay periods. I figured I could find another job in three months and I did. The new job was much better and paid 20% more. But most of all, I was no longer stuck in a Job that made me miserable. For me the risk was worth it.

I had to do it once. Living in bay city texas, project finished up. If I would've hung around, I would've been moving to San Antonio. Was ready to move home. Said frick it. Got a job 3 months later.

Think I'm about to do this but only because I want to move to Portland. I want to be there on the ground if I get called for an interview and have no kids.