The job market has drastically changed over time. Startlingly, people today are not expected to stay in the same career for many years, let alone the same job or industry. If one does not find satisfaction in work, they will most likely change careers at some point.
Although change can be difficult, it might be worth considering a new job if employees have the power to adapt to a changing environment.
1.) Reasons to Switch Jobs
American workers are switching jobs at a higher rate than ever before. Here are the most common reasons behind why this is happening.
Personal Development is one of those reasons. Workers often get tired of doing the same thing for an extended period, so many seek to find a new job. But when looking for a new job, you may not have the skills required by an employer. You can go back to school or pursue vocational training courses to update your qualifications and gain those skills.
The development of technology has affected how people change jobs. Workers have access to more information, job opportunities, and resources for development.
Poor Management: One of the main reasons employees leave their jobs is that they refuse to be mistreated. Experts state that workers will stick it out for a low salary, but they cannot tolerate abuse long before deciding to quit.
Dormant Salary: If your salary is too low and you don’t have opportunities for promotion, changing jobs may help you earn a higher wage.
No Room for Growth: Good employees are actively leaving unhappy companies in droves. Feeling appreciated and rewarded is paramount for people who want to stay on with a company. Unsatisfied employees are likely to leave their jobs when they don’t feel happy or appreciated, which harms the company by losing its best talent.
No Autonomy: High-performing employees are not keen on being micromanaged. They want to be able to take ownership of their responsibilities without feeling like someone is managing them.
Preparing for a career shift requires you first to evaluate your situation and understand why you want to make the change. After assessing your situation, figure out what kind of opportunity is best suited for you. Often, it’s hard to know where to begin when considering potential destinations, but with a thoughtful strategy in place, it may be less.
2.) Preparing for a Job Transition
Evaluate Your Situation
Before you begin searching for a new job, try to understand the reasons behind your dissatisfaction. It would help if you answered questions about how you can have avoided ending up in this scenario again.
When looking for a new job, one strategy is to set down a description of the kind of work you are trying to find. After doing so, break down your search into several phases or steps like research, determining criteria for what you want in work, and preparing interviewing skills. This will help guide you toward meaningful employment that gives an employee satisfaction they’re seeking.
Provide Proper Notice
Before you make any changes to your career, please be sure to give your former employer a formal notice. Generally, anything more than two weeks is typically acceptable; if it’s not listed in the contract with your current employer, shoot them an email of what date you plan on leaving.
Be Honest During the Exit Interview
While leaving your old job on good terms is important, it’s also a good idea, to be honest with your boss or HR department about why you’re quitting. For example, if the work environment made it hard to concentrate and focus on things, let them know so that they can address this problem for other employees.
It’s necessary to plan ahead before quitting your job. One of the first things to analyze is how protracted your plan will be and, after that, what kind of skills you’ll find transferable.
3.) Quitting a Job
Planning Ahead
If you do not already have a new job lined up, you need to look at your finances and figure out your options. You typically cannot receive unemployment compensation if you quit voluntarily. Ask yourself these questions:
- How much money do you have in the bank to cover living expenses if you quit your job today?
- Are you at risk of needing a part-time job while looking for something better?
- If you had health insurance through your employer, will you take COBRA health insurance or look elsewhere for new coverage?
- If you are taking a new job, will you need to get short-term health insurance for a couple of months?
- When should you switch your retirement account?
It’s essential to think carefully before quitting your job. Try not to make any rash decisions and take time thinking about the big picture.
Identify your Transferable Skills
What skills do you have? What did you like to do most in your last job? What responsibilities did you not like at all? Acknowledge what your strengths are and utilize them. By knowing what they are, you will be able to carry out a new job more efficiently.
Once you recognize what you like and are good at, determine how these skills would fit in the environment that interests you.
Analyzing your finances is the first thing you should do when considering moving to a new job or starting a company. Starting a new career might involve a transition period, so figure out what lifestyle and location will work best for you. Do you want to travel with the company? Will you be available for short-term projects? Would working from home be preferable at certain times?
4.) Extra Advice to Help You Quit Your Job
It is common to think about changing jobs or an entire career and worry that you may be either too young or too old or do not have enough experience to go for the career you really want. When in reality, you may have a variety of options if you’re going to change your career or seek out a position that is just a few steps above what you have now.
The foremost important thing you can do is not hesitate. Recognize that there is no perfect moment – the better your circumstances are, the longer it will take for you to commit. While you don’t want to ditch your current job without a plan in place, it’s essential to start planning for the eventual switch.
Additional tips to help you quit:
- If you’ve been asked to make a counteroffer from your current employer, be ready to respond.
- Tell your employer before anyone else if you get a new job opportunity.
- Always resign in person rather than by text or email.