I looked my manager right in her eyes and told her that I would not be returning to the office on Monday. I informed her that I decided to pursue my passions and let her know that this job was something that no longer resonated with who I was. It felt good, it felt empowering, it felt like a dream— and that is exactly what it was. Talk about waking up sad as I washed up and poured my morning cup of coffee. 

Although this was not my reality (YET but do not tell them I said that!). Many Americans can relate as we enter one of the most historical shifts within the workspace that we have witnessed in our lifetime. This is a shift that has been coined “The Great Resignation.” We are now in a space where many people are quitting their jobs and looking for deeper meaning in their daily lives.

Nearly 11.5 million workers quit their job in the months of April, May, and June 2021 alone, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Another survey found that out of 30,000 people surveyed, 41% reported that they are considering quitting and that number rose to 54% when Get Z was singled out. “Now Hiring” and “Help Wanted” signs are becoming more prominent everywhere and service has been slower across multiple industries due to staff shortages. The food services (5.4%), hospitality (5.1%), and retail trade (4.4%) industries have seen the biggest increase in unemployment rates, which is no surprise being that these professions usually handle the brunt of challenging work. However, the trend does not stop with these professions. Declining employment is also evident in various administrative/office settings as well. But why? What exactly is prompting this shift and why are people making this transition?       

Texas A&M Associate Professor of Management Anthony Klotz has been credited with inventing the term “The Great Resignation” back in 2019. His research has supported that there are a few main reasons why people are resigning. It was determined that for many professionals, jobs are too demanding, too time-consuming, and with the pandemic and transition to remote work settings, many people are struggling to find a good balance between work and their personal lives. To put it simply, people are burned out and mentally exhausted—something many of us can relate to since the changes we all have endured since the beginning of the pandemic. In turn, time spent at home, has caused many people to look at their lives and question their worthwhile making them wonder, “Is this the best that life can offer?” Employees are deciding to trade in their normal day job to pursue a “dream job” with better compensation and benefits packages. Some people are choosing to become stay-at-home parents to spend more time with children, and many others are becoming the CEO of their own businesses. In fact, in July 2020, there were 551,657 applications submitted for starting a business in the U.S., which was a 95% increase in applications compared to just one year prior in July 2019!

However, as liberating as the idea of quitting may seem, it is advised that people remember to make all the proper considerations and plans before sending off those resignation letters.

Refrain from sending that letter until you have read the tips listed down below:

• Exhaust internal options – Have conversations with the RIGHT people about your goals and see if they are attainable through your current organization. Whether that is promotion, renegotiating your salary, or work environment conditions, it helps to build tenure and to grow within a company so if you can stay, give them that chance before packing up.

• Document your achievements – Keep a record of all the awards you have received and save any data that highlights quotas and other metrics of measuring success. It is also a good idea to reach out to colleagues for recommendation letters because there is power in a strong network.

• Create a plan – Know your “why” and have your dream job description mapped out. Do not be afraid to GET SPECIFIC! Write down exactly what you want, how much money you want to make, and what your day-to-day will look like. Know what you want and what you are looking for to avoid ending up in the same professional rut again.

• Save, save, save – Yes, save your coins! Stop going to brunch and go ahead and delete that online shopping cart. There will be time to flex and take pictures for Instagram later. With the uncertainty of a fluctuating job market, there is no definitive way to know how long your job hunt may last. Couponing, paying your rent/mortgage a few months in advance, and cooking instead of eating out are all effective ways to make your money stretch to ensure that the necessities are taken care of as you start your transition. 

• Hire an expert to help you start your business – That’s right — Contact  The Digital Marketing Maven to help you map out your entrepreneurial endeavors and dreams of becoming a CEO. When attempting to get the details right, it is important to have someone with a plan and most importantly, a record of accomplishments. Our CEO Sammi B. has a vast knowledge of digital strategy and implementation. Whether you are looking to create a new business or optimize the performance of your current business,  Digital Marketing Maven and Associates has a solution for all your business needs by analyzing your strengths and developing strategies that WORK!

Let us help!

Contact us today so we can help you navigate through your post-resignation plans and create ways to help your business achieve the greatest possible success! And if you are still on the fence or have decided to stick it out with your company, check out the resources below for more information about “The Great Resignation” and how you can ditch your 9 to 5, or start your pursuits to find a better one as seamlessly as possible. 

Links:

Unemplyment Numbers During the Pandemic– www.bbc.com
Reasons Why People Are Quitting– www.washingtonpost.com
Tips Before Quitting – www.forbes.com 
Why Are People Quitting? – www.linkedin.com
New Business Statistics – www.forbes.com
Tips On Drafting Your Resignation Letter–  www.eforms.com
Tips On Working From Home – www.livehappy.com
How To Quit Your Job– theinterviewguys.com