It is estimated that more than 4.4 million people in the United States quit their jobs in September 2021. Described as the Great Resignation, various reasons for this phenomenon have been explored to explain why so many people are seeking a career-transition. I think it all boils down to the idea that folks are miserable!
What Caused the Mass Exodus?
The COVID Pandemic shifted the way we live our lives. People, who were used to being on the go and social, were now isolated and trapped by what seemed like endless Zoom meetings. Parents became stay-at-home teachers. Students became restless while their learning modalities were limited to socially distant forms of education, often trapped behind a computer screen. Frontline workers saw no end to the amount of people who needed help while resources became scarce. And those working in the service industry saw endless lines of toilet-tissue hoarders. While we are emerging from our shells one by one, let’s face it, I think we have all been frustrated by this experience in one way or another.
Working for yourself vs. someone else:
I got my first taste of the working hustle and bustle at the tender age of 12. It was simple. I made and sold potholders to local community members. Who didn’t need this resource? You could buy 1 potholder for 50 cents or 2 for a dollar. It was a steal of a deal (in my mind).
I loved the freedom of being an entrepreneur, but the income was unsteady. After all of my mom’s friends and neighbors bought one or two sets, the field was saturated. My potholder business went under in less than a year.
I started a ‘real’ job when I turned 16, working for a job placement agency, of all places. I got to review resumes and my own was barely a page. It was a great start to the workforce. I loved it—but after having my own business, I didn’t always love taking orders. And I quickly learned that my happiness was influenced by my job and those who had control over my decisions and actions within this role.
When others make decisions for you about what you need to do with your time or how you should spend a good portion of your day, you see things differently. In some ways, it’s easier to not be in charge of everything, but I think it does take away some of the creativity (and let’s face it—freedom) that you feel from being your own boss.
Searching for Change:
The average American will hold 12 jobs within their adult lives (between ages 18-54). To me, this seems like we are in a constant search for change. I’ve never left a job without knowing what my next opportunity was going to be. If you’re pondering moving on, I ask that you have your next gig in place (or at least a plan for it) before you quit your current gig.
Regardless of whether you want to join the millions of people who dropped the mike and just walked out or if you’re only in the contemplation phase of a potential transition, below are 5 things for you to consider to help inform your decision making process.
Preparing for a Career Transition:
1. Be clear about your end goal: Moving from one job where you are unhappy to another is only going to trigger the desire to move again. Unless you like making the job-application process your full time ‘second gig’, I would highly suggest that you look inward to understand what you truly want to do within your career.
2. Update your resume: Your resume is a chronicle of your life’s work summed up in a very succinct way (hopefully). Making changes to your resume should not only occur when you are looking for a job. This should be a regularly occurring event. I’d suggest sending yourself a calendar invite for a quarterly updating session. That way, when you are looking for a job, you have less changes to make on your resume. And instead, you can focus on other areas of the job-hunting process.
3. Solidify your networks: 
This should also be a regularly occurring event. Studies have found that nearly 4 out of 5 jobs are filled through networking. It’s not just important to join clubs or other social groups. You need to actively maintain contact with people, let them know your interests, and share your skills and desires. So when a great opportunity comes along that they may hear about, they think of you for the position.
4. Fill in your skill gaps: We all have them. Learning is a lifelong process and we could always improve in some area. If you want to grow, and you’re not getting what you need in your current job, find other ways to ramp up your knowledge, skills and abilities. You can just as easily add the courses you take or certificates you earn to your resume, just like you would note the responsibilities you have in your current position.
5. Build your savings: Believe it or not—this should be a crucial part of your exit strategy. If you leave your job and you have no funds to sustain you, things will get really difficult really quickly. And you will find yourself taking any position rather than the position you really want just to keep food on the table and a roof over your head.
Final Thoughts
“Excellence without effort is as futile as progress without preparation.”
It was the famous author William Arthur Ward that once noted “Excellence without effort is as futile as progress without preparation.” We all need to feel as if we are growing and accomplishing what aligns to our hope and desires. But we can put a plan in place that helps with these transitions in life. Whether you’re planning to shift to your new job before the end of the year or in 10 years, I encourage you to prepare for your next transition in ways that help set you up for success rather than more frustration.
Disclaimer: The content of this blog and website is the sole opinion of the author and is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, medical, financial, or other professional advice. Always seek counsel from a professional for these matters if you have questions or concerns regarding your specific circumstances.
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Ooooh! Right on time. I’m thinking about all of my next moves, and I needed to hear all of this. Love these posts, can’t wait for the next one.
Brilliant… It seems so obvious, but concise reminders are so beneficial lest one should overlook an important step. Kudos to the author. 👍🏾💕