So You Want to Quit Your Job During the Pandemic...Now What?
The pandemic has changed the way we think and feel about lots of things, including our jobs. Some people have realized their jobs are taking a major toll on their mental health, which may be why over 95% of workers are considering leaving their jobs. Additionally, some people are quitting or considering quitting their jobs after being required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by their employers. For example, around 400 workers employed by Detroit, Michigan’s Henry Ford Health System preferred to walk away from their jobs as opposed to receiving their required COVID-19 vaccine.
Although it may seem scary to walk away from your job and change your career during the pandemic, it can be done. Whether the pandemic forced you to rethink your priorities, you’ve realized you haven’t been happy in your current role for a while, or anything in between, now is as good of a time as any to pivot toward a more fulfilling career path.
Here are 4 tips to help you successfully quit your job and land a new one during the pandemic.
1. Evaluate yourself and your career
Before you start applying for jobs, reflect on where you are now in your career and where you’d like to be. Take note of the skills you have and what you’ve achieved throughout your career thus far. Pay special attention to the transferable skills that can help smooth your transition into a new career.
Think about what your current vision for your career looks like, too. Write down the industries you’d be interested in working in and jot down the types of positions you’d be qualified for in those industries.
Consider what you want your work life to look like as well. Do you want to work in an office? If so, are you happier working with a small group of people or with a large group of people? Do you want to work remotely? If so, are you looking for a 100% remote job, or are you open to working in the office now and then?
Taking time to truly think about what you want and what you have to offer ahead of time can help you narrow down your job search and find the position you’re looking for much more quickly.
2. Start your job search with what you’re looking for in mind
To shorten the time between your current job and your next one, limit your job search to companies and positions that align with your vision for your career as opposed to applying to every open position you see on Indeed, Monster, ZipRecruiter, and other job boards.
While you absolutely can pivot into a new industry and a new kind of role, look for positions that align with your skillset. When computerized applicant tracking systems can easily detect that your skills match those listed in the job description, you’re more likely to avoid having your application automatically thrown out and to get your résumé in front of the hiring manager.
If you’re looking for a job that doesn’t require you to be vaccinated, limit your search to smaller companies. The Biden administration announced a new rule that will require all companies with 100 or more employees to ensure that every employee is vaccinated or can present a negative COVID-19 test at least once a week, so including large companies in your search may prove to be a waste of time.
3. Sharpen your skills
If you’re pivoting into a new industry, start developing and sharpening the skills you need to succeed in that industry now. Hiring managers need to know that you’re a viable candidate for the job, and being able to show them that you have the skills required for the job will boost your chances of being hired.
Take courses to learn new skills that are targeted toward the industry you want to work in and consider earning certifications that will further show your knowledge to the hiring manager. Taking courses and having certifications to back up your new skills will show the hiring manager that you are capable of performing well in your new position, regardless of your career background.
Consider freelancing in your chosen industry, too. Freelancing will help you gain experience in your new industry while helping you build a portfolio of work you can use to show how you’ve put your new skills to use. Additionally, freelancing can help you earn statistics you can include in your résumé to show the impact of your work.
4. Reach out to your network and connect with new people
Before you start applying for jobs, reach out to your network and let them know you’re looking for a new position. The members of your network may be able to put you in touch with people who can help you land your next job, and they might be able to connect you with leaders in your new industry.
Additionally, your network members might know of available, unlisted positions that you would be perfect for. Your network can help you access the hidden job market and help you land a great job that hasn’t been listed on job boards.
While you’re reaching out to the current members of your network, make sure you’re adding new people to your network, too. This will help you boost your chances of accessing the hidden job market and help you connect with people who can make your transition into your new role or industry easier.
At least 70% of people have found their jobs through networking, so reaching out to the people you know and finding new network members is definitely worthwhile.
Wrapping Up
Once you’ve sharpened your skills, reached out to your network, and found positions you want to apply for, it’s time to update your professional documents and start applying!
Working with a professional résumé writer can shave months off your job search and keep you from spending 5 entire months looking for your next role.
Our experienced staff is more than ready to craft professional documents for you that tell hiring managers that you’re the perfect person for the position, land you interviews, and get you hired. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us, and let’s land you your next job!