A job switch is usually seen as the next step towards better pay, better work and better opportunities. But what happens when the biggest challenge is not finding a new job, but leaving the current one?
That question has sparked a discussion online after a Reddit user shared a dilemma many professionals may relate to. Frustrated by limited growth and a lengthy 90-day notice period, the techie says they are considering a move that many would view as risky, resigning without another offer in hand.
The Reddit user, who earns Rs 8.76 lakh annually and has more than four years of experience, recently shared on r/developersIndia community that they feel stuck.
Explaining their situation, the techie said, “4+ YOE, 8.76 LPA, 90-day NP (notice period). Considering resigning without an offer and need honest opinions. Current situation is pretty bad: no real development work, mostly idle or on support, wrong tech stack, terrible leave policy and zero technical growth in sight. Talked to my manager about early release, he refused. The 90-day NP is killing every opportunity.”
While many employees deal with workplace frustrations, the Reddit user said the notice period has become the biggest obstacle. According to them, recruiters often show interest initially but lose interest as soon as they learn that the candidate cannot join quickly.
Describing their experience with recruiters, the techie wrote, “Recruiters call, then ghost the moment they hear it. I even got an offer once by being vague about my NP but it fell apart when the real timeline came out.”
After facing this situation repeatedly, they said they have started questioning whether it makes sense to remain in a role that neither supports their growth nor allows them to move on easily.
“At this point I decided to resign without an offer. When people ask me why, my answer is simple nowadays every recruiter wants a maximum 30 days or immediate joiners. Nobody is even willing to schedule an interview if you have 90 days. So why hold on to a job that is giving me nothing while also blocking every opportunity outside?” they added.
The post quickly gained traction, with many professionals stepping in to offer suggestions and share their own experiences.
One user suggested a strategy that they claimed had worked multiple times during their career. The user wrote, “I will tell you a hack. Do not resign. Always tell the interviewer that my official notice period is 90 days, but I can negotiate it down to 45-60 days because there is no project currently, bla bla bla. Once you clear all the rounds, tell them that my HR won’t agree to an early release, so please release the offer for 90 days. It always works for me. The only thing is that the interviewer must be interested in you. PS: I have 15 years of industry experience and have switched jobs 4 times.”
Others, however, warned against making a decision in haste. One commenter shared, “Don’t do it. My friend resigned from Accenture in October and is still unable to find a job. He is an above-average full-stack developer with 7 years of experience.”
Another user believed financial preparedness should be the deciding factor, “If you have savings for 6 months then go for it.”
Some commenters felt the techie had a reasonable chance of finding another opportunity given their experience level, but still advised them to carefully assess the market before taking the plunge.
A user wrote, “Go ahead. Given your experience level and compensation, it should be easier for you to get an offer. But do take a sense check based on the number of interview calls you are getting. Such situations are riskier for senior professionals, as the number of openings is limited.”
Not everyone viewed resigning without an offer as a mistake. One professional shared a positive experience after taking a similar step. The user shared, “I resigned without having an offer in hand, and it is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have already received three offers, and there is one more in the pipeline. I still have 14 days left. Have confidence in yourself and don’t listen to everyone else’s opinions.”