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TEMPTED to join the Great Resignation or keen to transform your job without quitting?
Here’s how to kick-start your work life this year.
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There’s no getting away from the fact that we spend a lot of time at work. However, thanks to Covid and the shift towards WFH, our work lives have changed profoundly since March 2020.
So much so, many of us have looked at our jobs and wondered what would happen if we changed things up even more. It’s led to what economists are calling “the Great Resignation,” a phenomenon that’s seeing people quit, change industry entirely or follow the voice in their brain saying: “Just move to the beach!”
One recent survey revealed that 38% of UK and Irish workers have planned to quit within the next six months to a year, as a result of the pandemic. They are blaming an increasingly bad work/life balance (23%), pay freezes and cuts (22%), and a toxic workplace culture (21%).
With New Year’s resolutions still flying about, it’s totally understandable if you’re getting itchy career feet, too. And whether you want to stick with your company or try something different, here’s how to make that happen for you in 2022…
TACKLE A TRICKY BOSS
At best, having a difficult manager can make work a real slog; at worst, it can shatter your self-esteem and crush your ambitions.
“Go with your gut. If it feels safe to have a conversation with your boss saying: ‘I think I can make a bigger contribution,’ then have it,” says Zena. “Your boss isn’t a mind reader. People don’t know what you want unless you ask for it.”
However, if having a chat about your role doesn’t feel like an option, and your boss undermines, gaslights or shouts at you, Zena says: “Get away, either within your organisation, or by leaving entirely. Never stay working for a toxic boss, because it just undermines your confidence.”
The same goes for a toxic team culture. “Note down the five people you spend
the most time with at work and their character traits. If they’re not inspirational, supportive, kind or good listeners, then it’s time to move on,” she says.
STOP AND THINK
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Before you hand in your notice, remember that the grass isn’t always greener, and a reboot doesn’t automatically mean you have to resign.
“It’s flattering to be head-hunted, or for a mate to say: ‘Come and work with us!’ but consider your options first,” says Zena Everett, author of Mind Flip: Take The Fear Out Of Your Career and The Crazy Busy Cure.
“Think: ‘Have I exhausted all the possibilities in my current role? Is there something else I could be doing here that would enhance my CV before I take a leap? Am I leaping to the right thing, or could I leap to something bigger and better if I beefed up my CV where I am now?’”
She recommends questioning why a vacancy has come up. Maybe someone has been promoted, or it’s a newly created position – but, equally, it could be due to a bad manager.
“People often leave because of their boss,” says Zena. “They’ll move on, and that creates a gap. Suspend your ego, tap into your instincts and ask: ‘Am I ignoring red flags?’”
JUST DO IT
“Like all resolutions, job changes aren’t just for January,” says Zena. Rebooting your career shouldn’t be a one-off process that you only go through when you feel a bit bored or another company shows an interest.
“It should be continuous,” says Zena. “Don’t wait for anyone to come knocking – you should always be alert to opportunity and keep up-skilling.” That may involve going on courses, being aware of industry trends, or looking at the new people being brought into your company and working out what they do and whether you can do it too.
Zena recommends using LinkedIn Jobs to suss out the market and get a sense of jargon and keywords to mirror in your own CV and profile, so you sound up-to-date. “Find profiles of people who do a similar job to you and see how they describe themselves,” she says.
“Make your profile as specific as possible so recruiters will find you.” But don’t waste too much time online. “Spend most of your time in the real world and talk to people,” says Zena. “Everyone has a network – previous colleagues, former bosses, even parents at the school gate or people at the gym. Explain to them what you want to do next, what you can bring to the table and ask them to keep an eye out for you. You will have to hustle a bit, but it could pay off.”
ASK YOURSELF THIS…
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“If I were a high performer, what would I do next?” says Zena. This will help you work out your next move and identify where you’re strongest.
“Think about how you can enhance your skill set to be even more valuable. Out of everything you do, what does your team need you for the most and does how you spend your time reflect that?” says Zena.
“Just because you’re good at something or it’s easy, doesn’t mean you should keep doing it. We’re going to work much longer than people used to, so think: ‘Am I developing the skills that are going to serve me in five or 10 years’ time? Should I be taking on extra responsibility, mentoring somebody or taking courses?’”
With the rise of automation in the workplace, one way to make yourself “safer” from being replaced by AI is by making the most of your emotional intelligence – communicating, empathising and problem-solving – at work. It can benefit you and your colleagues, and separate you from the machines.
FIND YOUR HAPPY
“Work and joy don’t always go hand in hand, but if people are happy at work and understand the priorities of their role, and they can set some boundaries, they’ll usually be fine,” says Zena.
After all, if you’re job-hunting, there’s often nothing more soul-destroying than repeated rejections. It’s a good idea to grab a notebook and map out what really makes you happy at work – from the difference between a good day and a bad day, to what you get out of doing certain work tasks.
Analysing that is particularly vital if you are thinking about finding a new job. Are you sure that the next position is going to contain the elements you really enjoy and want to develop?
“We have to think like entrepreneurs and treat our skill set like we’re self-employed,” says Zena. “Ask yourself: ‘What makes me happiest, where do I add the most value and who’s prepared to pay the most for that?’”
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