Think before you quit! As The Great Resignation takes hold, expert reveals why leaving ISN’T always the answer – and tips on how to make your current job work for you
- Recruitment expert has revealed how to know when you should leave your job
- The phenomenon seen in US is being referred to as The Great Resignation
- Experts say the Covid-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed future of work
- Tony Gregg revealed questions to ask yourself include how ‘flexible’ employer is
- He explained different ways to make your current role work better for you
It’s being called The Great Resignation: the trend for employees quitting their jobs voluntarily as working life returns to something approaching normal after the pandemic.
The trend, which has taken economists by surprise, has already turned the labour market upside down in the US with 4.3 million Americans, or 2.9 per cent of the entire workforce, quitting their jobs in August.
But how do you whether you should join the masses or how to time when is best to leave a role?
FEMAIL spoke with Tony Gregg, chief executive at Anthony Gregg Partnerships, a high end recruitment search business placing senior and board level roles across the UK and Europe.
He revealed the five questions to ask yourself before quitting your job – and how to make your current role work better for you.
FEMAIL spoke with Tony Gregg, chief executive at Anthony Gregg Partnerships, who revealed the five questions you should ask yourself before quitting your job (pictured: stock image)
1. Have your life goals changed?
Tony explained that if you are considering leaving work, you should take a step back and reassess where you feel your career is.
He questioned whether the last 18-months have changed your attitude towards your work/life balance.
The recruitment expert said: ‘Perhaps the pandemic has focused your mind on what’s important to you and your family?
‘Maybe the opportunity to put the kids to bed every night is something you no longer want to miss out on?’
He continued: ‘A job that requires you to commute long distances and work long hours in an office environment may no longer fit with the kind of lifestyle you wish to lead.
‘If that’s the case then a move to a job that offers a better work life balance may be the right choice for you.’
2. Is your employer being inflexible?
The recruitment expert said it was also worth questioning how flexible your employer had been during the Covid-19 crisis, and whether they could be flexible in the future.
He explained: ‘Related to this is the question of how understanding your employer is regarding your desire to work more flexibly?’
Tony suggested re-evaluating your working schedule since the pandemic, explaining: ‘Don’t just assume that because you were expected to be in the office five days a week pre-pandemic that is still the case now.
‘Many employers are offering greater flexibility over home working with a balance of three days in the office and two days working from home increasingly common.
‘If this kind of arrangement would suit you, then don’t be afraid to ask for it.
‘If your employer refuses and insists on five days a week in the office then perhaps it’s time to find a more flexible employer.’
However Tony said it ‘cut both ways’ and that those who wanted to be in the office more could seek out a workplace which allowed them to ditch remote working.
He explained: ‘If you’re the kind of person who likes being in an office environment but whose employer has gone to 100 per cent remote working then that could equally be your cue to look for a new role.’
Meanwhile Tony said it could be worth compromising if you are comfortable at work.
He explained: ‘Finally, be prepared to meet your employer in the middle. Being in the office is important for building team unity and culture.
‘It also makes you visible to senior management which in turn can open up new career development opportunities.
‘Before you hand in your notice, try to work with your employer to find a balance that works for you both.’
3. Are you no longer challenged in your role?
The recruitment expert also suggested looking at opportunities for growth at work, explaining: ‘A classic sign that it’s time for a change is when a role no longer challenges you.
‘If you’re working eight hour days but can do the job in three it might feel satisfying in the short term but it’s not benefiting your long-term career profession.
‘We only develop as people when we are stretching the limits of our abilities.
4. Are your career progression opportunities blocked?
Tony revealed if you’re considering leaving your company because you feel blocked in your career, it could be the perfect time to quit.
He said: ‘You may be in a role you are largely happy with but find that opportunities to progress within the organisation are blocked.
‘Perhaps there are roles further up the hierarchy you feel would be a good fit but the present incumbents show no sign of moving.
‘If this is the case it might be time for a change of organisation.
‘But before you do so make sure you’ve got all the information you need to make that decision.’
He advised being unafraid to open up to other seniors at work, adding: ‘Discuss your feelings with managers you trust and make sure your perception of the situation matches the reality.
‘You may discover a position is soon to become available that could be the perfect fit.
‘You may even find your employer creates a new role just so they can hold onto a valued employee.’
‘If you find yourself going through the motions in a role then professionally you are standing still.’
However if you are ‘going through the motions’, Tony said you shouldn’t make any rash decisions.
He explained: ‘If you find yourself in this position don’t hand in your notice immediately.
‘Use your spare time to think about what you want to achieve next in your career.
‘Research the recruiters who can help you achieve that, develop your network of contacts and apply for new roles.
‘Only once you have a clear plan for what comes next should you take the leap.’
5. Is your current job helping achieve your career ambitions?
When making a decision about your job, Tony revealed it is important to look ahead at where you would like your career to go.
He explained: ‘If the answer to this question is no then it’s probably time for a move.
‘Even if you’re happy in your current role, it’s vital to keep questioning whether it’s helping you achieve your longer-term goals.
‘I always suggest people think where they want to be in 10 years’ time and then work backwards to map out what would need to happen to reach that place.’
And rather than stick with one company, he advised being unafraid to try different organisations and roles.
He explained: ‘It’s never a bad thing to get experience within a range of organisations.
‘You may even find you return to your current employer at some point in the future in a far more senior role because of the experiences you acquired elsewhere.
‘Whenever you’re considering a career change one final piece of advice is to take your time. Make sure you have a plan in place before you hand in your notice.
‘We wouldn’t pack the car, dog and kids and then decide where we want to go on holiday. But this is exactly what many of us do with our careers.’
Tony suggested blocking out time during your week to consider where you would like your career to go.
He said: ‘It’s not always easy to create time to think about your future career, but if you can spend a few hours each week working on your professional and personal development it will put you in a strong position to make clear, effective decisions.
‘And once you’ve decided to accept a new role, never go back on your decision.
‘Employers often make attractive looking counter-offers but once you’ve signalled your intention to leave the trust in the relationship has broken.
‘The vast majority of people who do a U-turn end up leaving the business within a year because that bond is impossible to repair.’
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