LPA's ₹37 salary package wasn't enough: Why an IIM graduate walked away from his high-paying job without another offer

A high-paying job does not necessarily guarantee professional satisfaction. The 28-year-old IT graduate (IIM) highlighted this dilemma after he passed up a job offer ₹37 lakh per annum (LPA) without securing another offer.

The professional shared his experience on Reddit’s r/IndiaCareers community, seeking advice on whether he should take a career break or start looking for another opportunity immediately.

His decision comes at a time when fears of layoffs and hiring uncertainty have made it difficult for many professionals to resign without another job offer.

Why an IIM graduate ended up with his ₹37 LPA job?

In his Reddit post titled “37LPA – resigned without an offer, should I take a break or start looking immediately?” the professional explained that he joined the tech startup’s Series C six months ago.

After retiring from consulting, he worked in an internal strategy and business operations role. However, he said his experience at the company was disappointing, citing dissatisfaction with both the nature of his work and senior management.

Describing his experience, he wrote that it was “absolutely disastrous” and said his dissatisfaction with the company’s management was a major factor in his decision to resign.

The professional has already filed his paperwork and his last day of work is scheduled for next week.

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Six months of savings, but no immediate plans to find another job

Although he left without another offer, the IIM graduate said he has enough savings to cover his expenses for the next six months.

His financial cushion includes money to pay rent and other living expenses in the city where he currently lives.

Rather than immediately entering the next recruiting cycle, he is considering taking a four- to five-month hiatus from his career while looking for a suitable opportunity.

He also stated that he would be willing to accept a lower salary if it meant finding a role that better suited his interests and expectations.

The professional sought advice from those with experience of similar career transitions, particularly those with MBA qualifications.

Reddit users divided over career hiatus decision

His post sparked a debate among Reddit users, with opinions differing on whether he should prefer to take a break or apply for the job immediately.

Some users warned him against delaying his job search, pointing to layoffs and increasing competition for open positions.

“Seems like a first world problem. Everyone on reddit seems to be making 30+ LPA at 27 and conveniently resigning without any offers,” the user wrote.

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One commenter advised him to start applying immediately unless his mental health requires a break, citing the number of professionals entering the job market after layoffs.

Others shared experiences of resigning without another offer. One user working in the IT sector with eight years of experience said that he managed to secure another job after a similar decision, although the process involved more than 100 applications and 10-11 interviews.

“I hope you’re watching the news and realize 1000’s of people have been laid off and are entering the job market. Competition will be fierce,” another user commented.

Meanwhile, a fellow IIM alumnus encouraged him to take time off and reassess his career interests before deciding on his next move.

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Another commenter suggested a middle ground: taking a break while staying connected to professional networks and pursuing appropriate opportunities.

The discussion highlights the various considerations professionals face when deciding whether to leave a well-paying job without a backup offer.

Disclaimer: This post is based on user generated content shared on Reddit. The claims made in the post have not been independently verified.