Where Does The Great Resignation Leave You?

October 13, 2021
written by: Nessa

The "Great Resignation" is revealing deeper issues with our relationship to work. If you're considering a career or industry change, you are certainly not alone. As more options and flexibility for work become widely available and accepted, the pandemic has most of us re-evaluating our jobs.

Considering a career change during the pandemic? The US Department of Labor estimates that 11.5 million workers quit their jobs from April through June of this year, a mass exodus from the workforce also known as the “Great Resignation” or the “Big Quit”. Workers are not simply quitting though – they’re changing their career expectations and putting greater emphasis on fair wages, working conditions, and career satisfaction. With the pandemic changing our world and our relationship to work, many of us are refocusing our priorities when it comes to our jobs, a phenomenon called “COVID clarity”. How can you use this time to your advantage and determine if it’s time to make a change? Ask yourself the following questions to do a career check-in!

Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life
Dolly Parton

Do you enjoy what you do?

Is it worth the strain or stress it can place on your life? The pandemic has unveiled deep-seated unhappiness within the workforce. Workers are no longer compromising their values to conform to the traditional idea of work and now more than ever people are choosing to pursue their passions. Added stress and strain during the pandemic has more people reevaluating their professions and taking a leap into new pathways. Job dissatisfaction, the largest cited reason, has combined negative physical and mental effects over time. Weighing the pros and cons can help you to decide. If your reality isn’t in line with your values, you can either lower your expectations or make an adjustment.

Do you feel you’re being paid fairly for what you do?

Does your schedule allow you time to participate in activities outside of work that you enjoy? If you change jobs would you be able to or would it be worth the sacrifice? More pay can allow us the ability to pursue outside activities but income doesn’t ensure we will have the time to do those things. As remote, hybrid, and flexible work options expand workers are reconsidering their priorities and seeking careers and companies that offer flexible work hours and schedules. Your ultimate goal should be to create a personal harmony between your personal and professional life, however, that may look to you.

Do you have opportunities for advancement within your field?

If not, are you satisfied with where you are? Growth is essential for long-term career happiness and satisfaction. A change in fields or professions may afford you more career growth. Consider autonomy, responsibility, and expectations when determining what you want out of a job. We are happiest in our careers when we are growing, learning new things, and have a goal to move towards. How you measure growth is unique, whether that’s a traditional career ladder from entry-level to management or contributing to discoveries and innovations. Make sure whatever path you’re on allows room for progression so that you can stay motivated and interested in what you do.

Are your working conditions creating strain on your ability to perform your job?

American work culture has most of us overstretched in our duties and playing multiple roles. Stress, undue strain, and conflict can be temporary or seasonal feelings, but chronically they lead to burnout among other negative outcomes. Many of us are picking up the slack our former colleagues have already left behind, or are facing new expectations in addition to our positions. Determine if you are capable of continuing to perform your job regularly or if there is undue strain caused by factors that are beyond your control. Are you able to create coping mechanisms to manage the challenges within or between roles? Think about delegating, giving up something, or even taking on a different role than what you anticipated. Your work shouldn’t leave you feeling constantly overwhelmed and under-supported. It should also allow flexibility so that you can meet your personal goals as well as those that are career-related. If you’re seriously considering walking away from your current position, these factors are a great place to start.

Role Strain versus Role Conflict

Role Strain are the difficulties that arise when our job imposes conflicting demands or expectations

Example: A worker deciding what task to complete first

Stress within an assigned role

Role Conflict is a situation where expectations across domains of life are incompatible

Example: A working mother deciding between a parent-teacher conference and a mandatory work meeting

Clashing demands across roles

Most adults will have about 12 jobs over their lifetime and will spend a third of their life working. Is what you do now worth the space it’ll take up on your resume?

If you’ve decided to start the search, regardless of your career stage the job hunting process can be daunting. The pandemic offers its own hurdles leaving you with much to consider through your search and the hiring process. Whether you are just starting to look for work, or have been on the hunt we’ve got your back! Our coaching services offer personalized guidance so that you can level up with confidence.

Comment Below: What’s your take on the “Great Resignation”? Are you considering a pandemic pivot?