Have you joined the Great Resignation? The lifting of pandemic restrictions prompted a wave of wanderlust among a large chunk of the country’s labor force. But before you consider quitting your job, you should make sure a change makes sense for you.
There are good reasons to leave a job. Sometimes a major change is necessary to push your career to the next level. However, switching employers doesn’t necessarily mark a step in the right direction.
Instead, carefully weigh your options. Look at other potential opportunities and consider whether you can gain more value by sticking with your current job. To help this process, here are a few questions to ask yourself to determine if you should quit your current job:
What to wonder when thinking about quitting your job
Can You Make More Money?
Cash offers a main motivation for the Great Resignation. As the economy reopened after COVID, a tight labor market gave workers a strong bargaining position. With more open jobs than available applicants, wages saw upward pressure.
So the current environment might give you a chance to boost your paycheck. However, that doesn’t mean you should rush into a decision to quit. The market situation could force your current employer to boost your pay. Start by talking to your boss first. You might be able to increase your compensation without jumping to a new company.
How Stable Is Your Current Job?
Fifteen years into a marriage, it might seem appealing to walk out the door, move to Vegas and fire up a Tinder account. But it’s likely you’ll regret the decision in a few weeks — wandering The Strip lonely and broke.
Don’t let this happen to your career. The current market may seem exciting, but if you have an established position within a stable company, it might not be worth the risk. You could jump to an exciting startup, only to find yourself unemployed again in six months, with a much less-friendly labor market.
Are You Making Progress Toward Your Long-Term Goals?
Consider the long-term benefits of your current position. Yes, the economic situation raises your chances of finding a better-paying job. But a bigger paycheck now might slow your progress over a broader timeframe.
Weigh your ability to climb the ladder in your industry. If you can leverage your current position into a better career down the road, you might be better off staying in place. However, if your current job represents a relative dead end, now might offer the best opportunity to jumpstart your development by landing a new position.
Can You Get a More Appealing Schedule?
The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of hybrid working models and flexible schedules. As a result, more companies are offering their employees increased control over their working conditions. Are you getting that type of elasticity from your employer?
If not, you might start looking at other options. In a worker-friendly labor market, you can find positions that offer more scheduling freedom. Use the opportunity to locate the best job for your overall lifestyle.
Are You Happy?
Take a holistic view of your position. Jobs aren’t just about pay rates, benefits, and career development. An emotional factor should also play into consideration.
If you love your job and are inspired by the mission of your current employer, don’t rush out the door. Those conditions are hard to find. However, if you feel stuck or unsatisfied, you might benefit from a change of scenery.
Need help understanding the current labor market? Whether you’ve decided to grab a new opportunity or just want to weigh your options, a top recruiter, like Hiregy, can help.
Need a little guidance on whether or not to consider a new opportunity?
Contact Hiregy today to understand your alternatives.
