What to do before you quit your job
Sue Ellson
Independent LinkedIn Specialist - Digital Mentor, Coach, Author, Educator, Consultant, Career Development Practitioner, Founder, Gigster, Keynote Speaker, Trainer, Poet, Writer, Business Social Marketing, AI??
What to do before you quit your job
There are plenty of people thinking about resigning from their job in the near future (up to 40% of the global workforce). There is even a term for it 'The Great Resignation.'
After almost two years of changed working conditions, working from home (WFH), revised hours, workplace pivots, adaptation to new technology etc, many people are considering some sort of change in how they earn a living in the future.
Some of the factors in the decision-making process include:
I could go on...
However, before you decide to quit your job at your earliest convenience, I would like you to go through three defined stages - pre-departure preparation, new direction contemplation and new focus implementation.
If you would like to radically change your approach and go from a job to work, please read my book
It is my gift to you in these unusual times.
1. Pre-departure Preparation
It is very tempting in a moment of frustration to quit and believe that you will never look back. The reality is quite different. Let me share a quick story.
One of my clients had worked in private enterprise for several years after completing his tertiary studies. He then secured a contract based role in the military - a very different environment. He enjoyed several aspects of this role, the off-road adventures, the camradarie with certain colleagues and various opportunities that people in civilian life never experience. However, he worked with several senior leaders that he didn't like, he found many of the day-to-day requirements unnecessary and he missed the freedoms associated with civilian life. He came to me for assistance to transition from the military back into private enterprise.
It became very clear to me that he was very bitter about the negative aspects of his military experience. He wanted to escape and as quickly as possible. I knew full well that if he was in an interview situation and shared these views, he would be immediately withdrawn from consideration. I invited him to look at the entirety of his military experience and reflect on both the positive and negative components and prepare the 'story' he would share in his future job interviews.
I explained that it was important for him to provide a positive explanation for his transition back into private enterprise. To showcase how his military experience could be converted back into the private enterprise setting, how he could identify what capabilities were transferable and how he could implement his learnings in new and innovative ways.
At first, he was a little reluctant, but within a week, his whole demeanor changed. He asked various people he trusted for written Recommendations (if you are Connected to the person on LinkedIn, these are much better than written references as they work for you 24/7) and he wrote down a full list of the pro's and con's of his experience in the military. This helped him reconcile in his own mind that he had not wasted his time there and he had indeed gained a range of very valuable experience, skills, knowledge and networks.
He started extensive research on different private enterprises to make sure that they would provide the scope and challenge he needed in the future. We spent a lot of time updating his resume and LinkedIn Profile so that his story could be understood by people in private enterprise.
Whilst he was still in the military, he processed all of his concerns so that by the time he attended aligned job interviews, his story was very clear and he was genuinely ready to leave the military without any regrets, disappointments or lingering issues. He enjoyed a fantastic farewell. Once he was in a new role, he contacted me again to say how important it was to go through the pre-departure preparation phase and whilst the new role felt very different initially, he was grateful that he could give it his full attention and not be dealing with any lingering issues associated with his military experience. He truly had a fresh start.
What can you do as part of this process?
a. identify everything that has been beneficial or non-beneficial to you in your current role including the income, location, workplace culture, flexibility, tasks, opportunities, colleagues, managers, training, mentoring, coaching, recognition, etc.
Do not hold back, put them all on paper as this takes them out of your head where they can just swim around and magnify disproportionally.
b. consider rating the items that are most important to you moving forward. You may have enjoyed certain tasks but found certain people annoying. Conversely, you may have enjoyed working with certain people but found certain tasks annoying. Maybe you need more scope or a complete change (make sure you can still earn enough to survive). Reflecting on all of these aspects is essential rather than just one (like a really bad boss).
c. source additional coaching or support to work through any issues that affect your ability to move forward. Perhaps you have had some personal pressures that need attention or you may need to develop new assertiveness or leadership skills. Do you need some time off to unwind and help your body relax for a while?
Perhaps you may find that with a bit of time and space, you can truly reflect and review your experience and understand that a few tweaks to your current role may be all you need to move forward in a much more positive way (one of my clients simply started a short course after hours that she always wanted to do and it made the world of difference to her whole life as she met like-minded people she could really relate to and it changed her whole perspective on her work-life - and she had previously had a high-flying job in public relations in New York).
2. New Direction Contemplation
Unfortunately I have seen many people act in haste and repent at leisure. People who have secured a payout and blown it on buying a franchise that they did not even work in for a week before making a huge financial and personal commitment. Or decided they will take up a creative pursuit to find that they don't have a market for their product or service. One person spent $20,000 on a new website that didn't generate any work and she had no income after having a regular pay check for over 20 years. Others have tried doing things too fast when a gradual transition could have helped them test the water first.
So, before you rush out and chase the brightest shiniest object right now, here's what I suggest you consider doing.
a. map out your non-negotiables moving forward. This creates a decision-making framework and helps you identify aligned options. If you need some more guidance on how to choose your next job or career, go through the mind-map exercise here. If you have too many choices, it can be impossible to know where to start. If you narrow them down, you can be much more creative within that brief.
b. identify your values (beliefs as well as offerings), strengths (both natural and acquired) and context (personal circumstances that may affect any choices) so that you can truly understand what you want to attract or pursue in the future and read this article on what to do for your career whilst you are working from home.
c. ask a lot of questions, do your research and gain some on-the-job experience if that is at all possible. Consider part-time options and gradual transitions. Do the low-cost try-before-you-buy options as well. Ask more than one person for advice (after all, you would get three quotes from a tradesperson before a major trade-related gig wouldn't you?). Try and get some work or business experience, even if it is voluntary and after hours.
One client wanted to go from a job in banking to being a commercial airline pilot. I suggested that she pay for 10 flying lessons first and then if she wanted to continue with the full course and training, she would know without a doubt after her initial investment that she would be on the right path. She may choose to 'fly on weekends' and 'stay in banking.' Sometimes passions can be pursued as hobbies. She may find that the crazy hours of flying didn't match her social life - but without some actual experience, it will all be theoretical.
领英推荐
I highly recommend short courses and micro-credentials and I definitely recommend LinkedIn Learning and MOOCs. Even some free YouTube videos can help you really learn some valuable information before making a time or financial commitment.
3. New Focus Implementation
Part of the process of moving towards your new focus is preparing all the 'paperwork' first. When did you last update your LinkedIn Profile or your resume? Do you have a business plan if you are considering a new business? Have you considered tweaking what you are doing in your current role first?
Could you benefit from a guided process to work out your options with a Career Development Practitioner that has a background in your areas of expertise? Have you looked at other lifestyle factors that may affect your ability to find purpose, meaning and income from any job?
Do you need to visit your doctor and get a full medical check-up? Is it time to really address any long-standing mental health issues? I know that it takes enormous courage to do this and I am speaking from a lot of personal experience from many different types of therapy. I sometimes think it will never end, but I can tell you without a doubt that I am much better off having 'done the work,' than avoiding it and trying to push on regardless. Good mental health can lead to good physical health too.
Have you gone through this list of things to do if you want to find a job using LinkedIn? Please don't see any of these suggestions as a barrier to you moving forward. They are quite the opposite. They will make sure that you move in the right direction for you. The time you spend completing these tasks will give you extra clarity and commitment to choosing what is right for YOU moving forward.
Remember that help is available. Here in Australia, there are a huge range of free and low-cost resources that can help you complete these steps and make informed decisions going forward.
It is NEVER TOO LATE and NO TIME IS EVER WASTED.
Don't worry, I know how it feels when there are aspects of your life that are not in order and change doesn't happen quickly enough. Be kind, compassionate and patient to yourself during the transition and you will reap the benefits. I promise!
You may take a few odd turns along the way and that's okay. Think of them as short day trips that add colour and flavour to your life. In my view, the ultimate goal is to find contentment. A sense that life will have its ups and downs and if most days are around 80% aligned with your values, strengths and context, your will have co-created a pretty amazing life!
I wish you every success as you readjust after such a major life transition - a global pandemic.
Other Articles of interest (Right click to open in a new tab) or see the full list?here
Enjoy the rest of your day!
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#thegreatresignation #quityourjob #resignation #linkedin #careers #careerdevelopment #sueellson
First Published:?30 September 2021
Last Update:?30 September 2021
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Sue Ellson?BBus, MIML, MAHRI, MPC, CDAA, ASA, WV, SPN, AH?is an Independent LinkedIn Specialist, Business and Careers Consultant, Trainer and Author.
More information?at?https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/sueellson?and?https://sueellson.com
Questions directly via email sueellson [at] sueellson.com
Educator & Mentor | LinkedIn Profile Writer | Australian LinkedIn? Expert Consultant & Trainer | Content Marketing Strategy & Thought Leadership Advisor for Australian leaders | Helping quieter & thoughtful folk
3 年This is a great resource Sue. I particularly enjoyed these wise words of yours - "Please be kind, compassionate and patient to both yourself and others as we have all been through a major transition – but we all have the chance to move forward in new and better ways."
Professional Career Development Practitioner. Assisting individuals and families with Career planning and decision making
3 年Love this Sue! So much valuable information - and giving your book away! Love your generosity and quality support for people changing direction. ??