Mr. Harold Kwan, Managing Director / Principal Consultant of Human Resource Consultancy HRM3 Asia, said that many hand-wringing job-seekers he counels, confesses to a yearning to do their own thing, but do not have the gumption, to make that quantum leap - especially when jobs are scarce.

So, before you do resign, he said you should look closely at yourself.

Be sure you have a passion about what you really want to be or do. You should also have the expertise, or at least experience, in the field you have set our heart on. You must also not be afraid of working hard and must be willing to persevere in the face of great odds, and have the commitment to see things through to the end.

He stressed: 'Its not for everybody. Before quitting, you must take stock of your financial position, state of health, your character and personality and seek guidance from trusted friends and family members.'