💼 Resigning Without a Job Lined Up (“Naked Resignation”)
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
I’ve been in recruitment for almost 9 years, and one trend I’ve noticed in Hong Kong is this:
More and more people are resigning without a job lined up next.
In Cantonese, we call it “naked resignation.”
And it’s becoming more common after COVID.
Back in 2017…
When I first started recruitment, I rarely heard of anyone quitting without a job.
It was seen as too risky — people had bills, mortgages, and the economy was booming.
💰 Everyone was making good money (even if hours were long), so the opportunity cost of resigning was simply too high.
But Things Changed
Post-COVID, with AI disruption and recession:
Workloads increased.
Promotions, salary increments, and bonuses disappeared.
Organisations became leaner.
People felt tired. Burnt out. Stuck.
So many chose to take a career break, even without something lined up.
💡 My Thoughts on Naked Resignation
If you’re considering it, here are some practical points:
1. Savings Cushion:
Senior grades (ED/MD): at least 12 months of savings. Some are still job-hunting after a year.
Analyst / Senior Associate / Assistant Manager: 6 months is usually enough, turnaround is faster.
Pure Big 4 candidates: often face a 1-year gap if lacking commercial experience. Best to gain in-house exposure first.
2. Salary Impact:
Your next role after a break will likely come with a lower salary.
3. Employer Perception:
Many employers see resignation without a job as a sign of weak resilience.
You must be ready with a strong answer to explain your decision.
4. Gap Duration:
Keep it short. In today’s competitive market, clients often prefer candidates without long gaps.
📚 Final Thought
“Naked resignation” is no longer rare.
If you plan to do it, prepare well, save enough, and be clear about your story.
PS: If you’re job hunting today, feel free to check out my guides on:
📝 Fixing Your CV & LinkedIn in 1 Day
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