The Great Resignation trend is still staying strong. Millions of Americans are quitting their jobs at record rates, with around 4 million leaving in some months. This is a positive development, as people no longer feel compelled to remain stuck in a dead-end job that is low paying, hating your boss and being treated harshly.
Prior to the pandemic and going back 10 years or so, a recruiter or human resources professional would not look at a résumé from a person who only stayed with a job for a year or two. Now, we see in Silicon Valley, which has the highest turnover rates, that people learn as much as they can, build their network and leave for another company, repeating the cycle over and over again. This mindset has permeated all other sectors.
It’s liberating to know that a virus outbreak has made people reimagine their work lives. People have collectively recognized that life is too short to waste on a job you hate or don’t feel a connection with. The attitudes of HR and recruiters have adapted to this new reality and will gladly accept job switches, as they are in desperate need of workers.
With this new prevailing attitude, it’s likely that you’ve been tempted to jump ship. That’s okay, but you should give it some in-depth thought before you make the plunge. It’s too easy to get caught up in the moment and do what everyone else is doing.
Here are some of the things you need to think about before moving:
Mental fatigue and burnout
Are you just burned out? It may not be the job or boss, but after two long years, you just feel tired. If that is the case, it may make sense to practice some self-care, take a vacation and mental health days off to rest and recuperate. Allow some time away from work to see how you feel.
After allocating sufficient time to get your head in the right space, you can make a rational decision. You may come to the conclusion that the job is fine; however, your mental health wasn’t so good. With the rest and care, you may elect to stay—or with the clarity of the time away from the office, it makes you realize that the company or job is not for you and it’s time to go.
Meaning and purpose
Many people have reprioritized their life and work after seeing loved ones fall sick and succumb to the virus. They may hold a well-paying, prestigious job, yet feel unfulfilled. A lot of people have decided that the money isn’t worth it. They’d rather pursue a career that offers meaning and a purpose. The sense of fulfillment doing something worthwhile that makes a difference in the world is more important than a substantial paycheck. These folks need to change jobs or careers to pursue their true calling.
Challenging work
You may work at a great company with a fantastic boss, yet you’re unhappy. This may be due to a lack of challenging work and no sight of future growth within the organization. If you feel this way, first have a frank conversation with your direct supervisor.
It will be uncomfortable, but ask them about taking on new and interesting assignments. Inquire about what they see in the future for you. Does your manager have a plan for your acceleration within the organization? Depending upon the answers, you’ll know where you stand. If there isn’t a path forward and you are told to “stay in your lane,” that is a clear sign that you must move on.
How is the corporate culture?
Are you surrounded by smart, creative and positive people? Some companies create a vibrant, empowering culture that makes it exciting to go to work. Other places, every day is a long slog of tediousness. If you find yourself daydreaming during the day, mindlessly scrolling through social media posts, easily distracted and irritated by co-workers, it’s a warning sign. When you don’t feel encouraged, considered an integral part of the team and aren’t offered feedback, advice or guidance on a regular basis, it may mean you’re not highly valued or the company just doesn’t care about its people. You know what you have to do next.
Basic needs
There are basic needs that have to be addressed. Are you paid well for your work? How are the benefits? Does the company offer remote, hybrid and flexible work schedules? If you decide to relocate as a remote worker, will you be paid the same or have your salary cut?
While possessing a sense of purpose and meaning is important, you don’t want to sacrifice a fair paycheck and having autonomy over your life by deciding where and when to work. A back-of-the-envelope checklist may help the decision making process. You wan’t to ask yourself these questions to determine if you should stay or go:
- Am I happy at work?
- Does the company appreciate me?
- Is the pay more than fair?
- Do you feel a sense of purpose?
- Is there a career-growth trajectory?
- How is the job market in my field and are there much better opportunities available elsewhere?
- Do you lack close ties with your colleagues and managers or do you feel left out?
Even if you elect to leave, bear in mind that there is no guarantee that the grass is greener elsewhere. Hopefully, the move offers everything you want. Before you accept another job, take the time to dig deeply into the company and its people. You want to make sure that the compensation, corporate culture, job and company’s mission statement align with your needs and wants. If it’s not a fit, you owe it to your future self to wait for the right opportunity.
Source: Forbes
