As a record number of people continue to resign their jobs and walk away from their careers, the Great Resignation is roiling the economy and changing the fortunes of businesses and workers alike. Should you stay or should you go?
Before you make your next move or quit your current job, make sure you have the following 7 steps covered:
Determine why you want to resign. Are you unhappy at work? Seeing better job opportunities elsewhere? If you like your company but want to pursue a new position or greater job flexibility, for instance, you might first want to talk to your manager about growth opportunities on the horizon. If you are looking for a complete change of industry, then it might be time to move on.
Plot your next step. Whether you want to be an independent contractor, go back to school or tackle a new position at another organization, it is important to have a plan for the future. Determine what steps you might need to take in the meantime.
Evaluate what you have and what you want. Don’t look at salary alone. Benefits and company culture should also play into any potential resignation decisions. If you love your team and the work-life balance you have, that can be a check in the “stay” column where poor company culture can definitely contribute to “go.”
Shore up your savings. If you are planning on taking some time in between jobs, moving to a new location or returning to school to enhance your current skills, then you may need to rely on your savings for a period of time. Start now, by putting a little extra aside each week so that you have a cushion when the time comes to resign. You may also want to consider some side jobs that can help you along the way.
Start looking now. As they say, the best time to find a new job is when you already have one. While this requires some dedication, it is smart to have your next position plotted out and an offer in hand before you quit your current job. Then you can negotiate a little time in between, if that is what you’re looking for.
Leave on a high note. Make sure you give adequate notice (which may be more than two weeks, depending on your industry and position), determine who can provide future letters of reference and thank your current team. It can be tempting to leave a job you don’t love in a blaze of glory, but that can definitely come back to haunt you later. Try to leave your job on a positive note.
Focus on your priorities. What can make your next job an even better fit? What are your overarching goals? Keep your top priorities top of mind as you move on to your next opportunity.