A survey published by Bankrate.com in August 2021 highlights that 55% of Americans have plans to seek new employment in the next year.
The Job Seeker Survey is another indication of what is now termed ‘The Great Resignation’ as workers’ expectations about the workplace have shifted as a result of being at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The mass exit of employees that companies are facing have various triggers, from mindset shifts and the prioritization of family life, to clearer career goals and a desire to work remotely.
In Episode 50 of our podcast, Ricky shared with listeners about his departure from his former employer and some of his reasons for doing so, despite enjoying his job.
One thing he shared is that he made a strategic exit.
Know this, not everyone who’s leaving the workplace is living paycheck to paycheck. There’s different levels to this thang’, as the saying goes. The RN who grosses $90,000 a year might be able to quit, knowing she has savings or access to other work opportunities. The UX Designer who left may have a spouse she can rely on. And the Senior Accountant may have other assets available.
There are nuances when you look at the people that make up the numbers.
So don’t get caught on the wrong end of the spectrum with no job and no money, thinking that everyone’s in the same boat. Before you quit your job, follow these five C-CRETS so that you’ll have another opportunity lined up.
But before things can start looking up with your work situation, let’s start by—
NARROWING DOWN
One thing that the COVID-19 pandemic allowed for was down time to think and evaluate one’s life. When it comes to one’s career ask yourself what it is you really want long term. Now is not the time to quit, where possible, to take on just any job.
What kind of job opportunity will allow you to utilize your skillsets and make more money?
The clearer your vision is about the type of role that you want to take on daily, the more you’ll be able to narrow down your job spec.
If you can focus on a specific area of expertise during your job search, even if you are switching careers, you will not scatter your attention looking at a wide array of jobs.
So, before you leave your job, narrow down the type of job it is that you want.
PLAN UP
Now that you have decided on what sort of roles you’ll look for, choose to also look to work with a company that will play a part in your career’s end-game.
Aim for an upward trajectory.
You can do this by simply applying for positions that are a step up, not a step down.
As scary as looking for a new job might be, especially in this economy, it also presents an opportunity for you to significantly improve your finances and quality of life.
Don’t waste this moment of change by thinking small. Instead, plan to uplevel your life by seeking workplace opportunities that are not available with your present employer.
SAVE UP
Regardless of your current position, you’ll feel more comfortable leaving your job if you have some money saved. As the costs of certain goods increases, including food, it’s becoming more critical to have some funds tucked away.
Be very clear about your current finances and consider budgeting your money for your job transition.
Besides money, what other assets do you have and how can they be utilized?
Key areas you should look at will include your 401k retirement account, your emergency fund, and your monthly expenses.
SKILL UP
And as you look to leave your job, now may be a great time to begin enhancing your skillset by either gaining more experiences or by obtaining additional credentials. You can even do so at your present job by participating in workshops or projects.
In addition, due to COVID-19, there are tons of free courses available online from reputable sources such as Google, in addition to paid courses. These offers can take as little as one hour to complete or a couple of months.
At the end of the day, by enhancing your skillset, you’ll improve upon the opportunities that are available to you.
Furthermore, you may also want look at your resume and the skills mentioned on it, as it’ll be an important component to finding a new job.
BRAND UP
Finally, we come to the brand of you.
Personal branding on social media and on other platforms continues to play a role in persons garnering opportunities, especially as potential employers are more than likely to look you up on the internet.
Examine your Facebook account, Linked In, and any other profile accessible on the internet. Be mindful of the personal information that you share online, as well as comments and reshares, as anything posted is subject to scrutiny from a potential employer.
Beyond that, part of your branding could also be highlighting your soft skills by leveraging your network, and even through your content creation, whether it’s video, audio, or print.
For example, if you like to share tips based on your expertise on LinkedIn and upload a one-minute clip, you’re highlighting the soft skills of communication and creativity. In this digital age, remember that personal branding outside of the work sphere, is sometimes the differentiator that lands someone a great job opportunity.
The wrap up, if you really want to quit your job, start by thinking about your next steps, and follow the five C-CRETS that we’ve shared above with you.
By putting in the necessary effort to better position yourself for a new role, the chances of you finding a better fit will not only increase, but you can also make your planned exit with confidence.
