The riskiest career move I’ve made so far.

"Your career is your business, and you are its CEO. Taking calculated risks can be the investment that propels your success." - Deborah Shane

This month, I want to talk about how taking risks in your career can be the most beneficial thing to do.

Let me take you back to the beginning of 2019. I was working at Apple in Ireland as a technical supervisor, answering calls from customers with issues regarding their Apple products.

I hated it. I was in love with the company and the idea of working for Apple, but I couldn't stand my manager micro-managing me. I didn't like being on the clock during my breaks and getting yelled at by angry customers.

Back then, I was already interested in becoming a recruiter. I had a meeting with one of the recruitment managers at Apple in Cork to learn more about the role and how to get there.

She made it clear that it would be almost impossible for me. I would need to become a manager within my department and probably wait for 5 years of experience.

Does that make sense to you? Because it still doesn't to me.

Anyway, I was so over my job but didn't know what to do.

So, I did nothing.

I kept going to work every day, feeling anxious when waking up, stopped smiling at my colleagues, and waited for the weekend to escape from it.

I always looked down and put my hoodie on while I was on breaks so nobody would come to talk to me.

Until one day, I just couldn't get out of bed to go anymore.

Repelled by the thought of going to work, I went to see my GP.

I was given 4 weeks of sick leave.

During that time, I was doing nothing except going to college. I was still studying for a bachelor’s degree on a part-time basis.

4 weeks later, the sick leave was extended for 4 more weeks.

Then one day, I remembered all the aspirations for success that I had before feeling miserable in my job. It was time to do something; there was no way in hell I was going back to Apple.

I sat down at my desk, worked on my résumé, and looked for jobs in recruitment.

I landed multiple interviews for an agency recruiter's role.

I got rejected by 5 companies. I was too junior and didn't have enough experience. "This job will break you!" At this point, I didn't care much; I just wanted a spot in recruitment.

Something was wrong with my strategy.

I wanted to work in recruitment but didn't have any experience. I looked for jobs that didn't require any recruitment experience but still offered career progression towards a recruiter role.

I found a job ad for a Recruitment Coordinator role. I had never heard that job title before, but at least there was recruitment in it.

It was a 6-month contract with the agency Adecco to work for Amazon, and the pay was €24,000.

I was on €30,000 at Apple, and I was on a permanent contract.

Still, I went for the interviews "just to see."

A few days later, I received a call from the recruiter; I got the job!!!

Now what do I do? Do accept it?

My sick leave was ending; I had to go back to work with no possible career progression towards my goals and angry customers waiting for me.

I chose my mental health and said, "Screw it! I'll figure out what to do once the contract is over.”

I resigned from Apple, took the risk of leaving a permanent job for a 6-month contract, and took a €6,000 salary pay cut.

The best decision I made so far!

My manager was amazing, the job was cool, and I had real opportunities to grow as a recruiter.

5 months later, Amazon hired me as a permanent employee with a salary of €36,000.

I was already making more than I would have if I had stayed at Apple.

1 year later, I finally became a recruiter, increasing my salary to €42,000.

And a few months later, I was graduating from college.

To this day, this is the riskiest career move I’ve made, but also the best one.

What would have happened if I had listened to people saying how crazy it was to leave a permanent contract and take a big pay cut?

"If you feel anxious at work, just take some time off, and you'll feel better."

Thank God I didn't listen to them.

I know my situation wasn't the worst. I don't have kids, but I was 20 years old, not living in my home country, with rent to pay.

So yes, it was a scary move to make, but being scared is okay after all.

To this day, I am so proud of myself for making this decision.

I don’t know if I would be writing this edition of my monthly newsletter about career coaching if I didn’t quit my job at Apple. ??

If you are in a similar situation, as I was a few years ago, just know that there's always a way out. It takes time and work, but I guarantee you that you cannot achieve great results if you don't take risks.

It's like paying your dues to life for granting you the courage to do what you really want.

Work doesn’t have to be stressful and your mental health matters.

I wish you the best of luck in your career; I am here if you ever want to talk about it.

Thank you for reading me.

Damien