Like moving, marrying, or making another major life change, the decision to quit a job is one that most people take very seriously – and for good reason. Their finances may dwindle, they might have to relocate, or they might find that their “dream job” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. But as a Certified Professional Career Coach, Franklin Buchanan has also seen the drawbacks of sticking with a job you know is not right for you: feeling bored, ignored, or stagnant at work, forgoing the thrill of a career change, or giving up on a dream…all out of fear.
If you’re reading this, you might be toying with the idea of quitting your job – just like millions of other people have during the COVID-19 pandemic. There’s been a lot of buzz about the “great resignation,” the “great reshuffle,” or the “talent tsunami” (pick your favorite name!) over the past two years, especially as voluntary quit rates reached record highs in April and May 2021.
The pandemic has made us reconsider our priorities. Some of Post Up’s clients have quit their jobs because they didn’t want to give up working from home, while some were disappointed with how their bosses treated their employees during this difficult time. Others are burnt out by balancing parenting with full-time jobs, and many people discovered new passions they want to pursue professionally. If any of these scenarios sound familiar (or you’re just ready for a change), ask yourself these three questions before you quit during the “great resignation.”
1. Did COVID change my priorities?
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that we’re not the same person we were before the pandemic. Your values might have changed sometime in the last two years. Maybe you dread the thought of going back to a cubicle after having your own space, or becoming a full-time caregiver while trying to take calls made a separation between your work and home life look more appealing. Doing work that makes a positive impact on the world is also more important to many people. Decide what’s most important to you now, then go from there.
2. What are my long-term goals?
Once you’re clear on your current priorities, you should consider what you want your career to look like in the next few years. Maybe you’ve been thinking about switching industries or going out on your own for a while now and don’t want to postpone that dream any longer, or perhaps you want to stay in your field, but could use a new challenge and a title bump. Think about your big goals first, then look at your current job: Is it getting you where you want to go? If not, it’s time to take the first step toward something new that will help you move in the right direction.
3. What could my job do to keep me (and is it worth it)?
The longer you think about the potential benefits of changing jobs, the easier it might be to convince yourself that quitting tomorrow is absolutely the right move. But you should compare the pros and cons of quitting to the other alternative: staying at your current job. If your skills are in high demand right now, this might be a good time to negotiate a raise or promotion at your current company. Because retention rates are so low, you might never be in a better position to ask for (and get) what you want. But will vision insurance, flexible hours, or more vacation days make you happy enough to stay where you are?
Franklin Buchanan can help you land the perfect job no matter what phase of your career you’re in. We’ll help you navigate every stage of the job search process, from initial goal-setting to salary negotiations. Contact us here to schedule a career coaching appointment.
