Late last year and early this year, I was actively looking for and interviewing for new jobs, but decided to put things on hold when we learned my wife is pregnant. XOM's insurance is great for prenatal care, and my wife's doctor is incredible. I was worried about landing a new job in the middle of her pregnancy and potentially having to change insurance (to something potentially worse), change doctors, pack up and move somewhere else (we want to leave Houston), etc. Also, my situation at work is not great, but it is bearable... and I'm not ranked low enough (for now anyway) to worry about getting PIP'ed.
The due date for the little one is getting close and I'm starting to think about ramping up the job search again. I am planning to use all eight weeks of paternity leave at once. During this time I'll basically be full-time job searching (and everything that entails), studying, hopefully getting some certificates, etc., when I'm not caring for my wife and the baby. The hope is that I find something during this time off (hopefully near the end), and can come back to work and immediately give my two weeks notice (if I decide to even do that).
My supervisor and teammates probably won't appreciate me ducking out for eight weeks, as we're already understaffed and overwhelmed as it is... but I've got to look out for myself and my family, and having this paternity leave at my disposable seems like a great opportunity for me to draw income and maintain benefits while doing a ton of work to find a new job. Can any think of any issues or factors I should consider with regard to this plan? I see absolutely no future with XOM. Like many of you I don't want to be here anymore, for many reasons, and we are eager to move away from Houston somewhere closer to family.
Thanks in advance for any input, advice, or suggestions.