#TheBigShift Tips for Individuals Contemplating Making the Jump

The past year has certainly thrown challenges at individuals globally. Responses to COVID-19 have led to significant changes and dynamics in the employment realm. Employers have laid off employees and many have even closed. Employees have been furloughed, laid off, had their hours reduced dramatically, and even been shifted to remote working. Lives and the world in which we live have been forever changed.

Fast forward to the present, much of the world has had the opportunity to begin opening, and in many situations, reducing the restrictions experienced throughout the pandemic. Jobs that had disappeared are slowly reappearing. Some employees are having the opportunity to return to working in offices while others are having the opportunity to continue working remotely or having hybrid options (some office/some remote). ?

With opportunities finally returning, what is driving the concept of the “Great Resignation of 2021” #TheBigShift (according to sites, roughly 25%-40% of employees are anticipated to quit their jobs). According to Robinson (2021), resignations are climbing at higher rates for mid-career employees (those with established careers), managers, and employees in the healthcare and high-tech industries. Also, even considering increased resignation rates during the period July to September since 2018, the increases as early as March 2021 have resulted in the prediction that the “great resignation” has already begun. ?

With an anticipated large percentage of the workforce contemplating changing jobs or careers, there are also questions and uncertainty. Here are some of my thoughts to consider if you are part of this group.?

1.?????Regardless of the employment environment, I always recommend that you do not quit your job until you have something else in place. The obvious reason is that if you do not have enough savings to support yourself until you find a new job, you will be in a world of trouble. If you are working while interviewing, you will often have more leverage for negotiating, as well as avoiding the perception that you are impulsive by jumping ship before having somewhere to land.?

2.?????Think about the reasons you are wanting to quit your job. Are you looking to start a new career? Is it due to your manager? Is it compensation or benefits related? Is it due to a toxic work environment?

Employees are likely to experience working environments that are not always optimal. Unfortunately, there is no shortage of managers without training or ability to manage. There is no single compensation or benefits approach and even making more money generally will not make up for a bad working environment. In many states, employers also have to contend with increasing wage and benefits requirements…unfortunately often being far too much for smaller employers. ?

3.?????Take your time, don’t rush into things, and have a plan. Once you have committed to exiting your current job, its time to get strategic. There are many things to consider when looking for a new job or career, and they will be specific to you. This is when you need to sit down and write out a plan (no mental plans allowed).

Identify what you are looking for in a company, what type of job you are seeking, what compensation and benefits are necessary, what the optimal working conditions are, etc. Conduct research to determine if what you are wanting is achievable, and if so, whether you have the skills, experience, education, and abilities to compete for the job. If you lack skills, experience, education, training, or other aspects, what do you need to do to obtain them? Do you have the time, money, and willpower to achieve them?

Your plan should follow a format such as SMART (Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Timely). This allows you to drill into the different aspects of the potential change, know what is necessary to get there, have an idea of when you will be able to achieve it, and how you will know when you have arrived. ?

In closing, changing jobs or careers should be carefully approached to increase the chance of having a successful move. For those looking to make the move, I wish you the best of luck. ?

Reference

Robinson, B. (2021). The Great Resignation migration and what this means for your career. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrobinson/2021/06/11/the-great-resignation-migration-and-what-this-means-for-your-career/?sh=67eafb269aae

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