Do These Things Before You Leave Work
You are afraid to go to work and feel stressed, stagnant or unhappy when you are there. You feel in your gut that it’s time to quit this job, but the thought of actually taking that leap is daunting. As I wrote earlier , sometimes looking for a job can feel like a full-time job.
An action plan is the key to turning the overwhelming prospect of leaving your job into a much more manageable process. A career exit strategy means accepting your dissatisfaction and developing a proactive exit plan from your current job or career. Having an exit strategy in place can help make your career transition smoother when the time comes, or even give you the courage to make that transition in the first place. Here are some tips on what to do before you leave your job.
Assess your current situation
Take stock of where you are right now in your career. Consider things like:
- How long have you been in your current position and with your employer
- What do you like and dislike about your current job?
- Your skills, strengths and hobbies
- Your long-term career goals and vision
This assessment will help you determine if and when you should change careers. Be honest with yourself about whether your current job is leading you where you want to go.
It is important to consider whether the problems you are experiencing are temporary or unlikely to change. If you’ve tried unsuccessfully to improve conditions, exploring new opportunities may be the right move.
Explore your options
Once you decide it’s time to move on, explore possible next steps. If you don’t even know where to start, think about the wide possibilities you have:
- Transfer to a new position in the current company.
- Joining a new company or industry
- Going back to school to get new skills
- Become self-employed and start your own business
- Taking a career break or mini-pension
Be sure to weigh the pros and cons of each option based on factors such as your lifestyle, priorities, and financial needs.
Set target dates
Create a roadmap for your exit that includes specific target dates – having temporary goals will help you take specific steps to prepare. Your schedule may include:
- When you start chatting, applying or attending classes
- When do you plan to officially announce your current job?
- Your last day in your current position
- When you start a new role or take a vacation
Save and budget
An exit strategy requires more than just planning. This also requires money. Determine what financial resources you need to cover any transition periods. Increase your savings so that you have an adequate supply of cash. Research costs such as higher education, career coaching, or starting a business. Create a detailed budget to make sure you can afford the transition.
Refresh your brand
The term “personal brand” makes me want to shrivel up and die, but its usefulness cannot be denied. If you’re not on LinkedIn, sign up now. It’s in your best interest to be available to potential employers and look like a strong candidate when they find you.
Refresh your online profiles, resumes, websites and other personal brand elements. Tailor them to highlight your skills for future employers or clients. You want your brand to fit and showcase your new career direction.
Click on your network
I understand that sometimes submitting a resume through Indeed.com is like submitting a resume to the void. You need to tap into existing personal connections. I’m not saying you need to create a Facebook status for the first time in eight years, but you should start getting to know friends, family, friends of family, friends of friends – you get the idea.
Another way to make yourself known (and improve your “brand”) is to publicly expand your professional skills and connections. Sign up for courses or training to close skill gaps and build relationships along the way. Take on projects that will help you gain abilities that are useful for your plans for the future, and post about them . Expand your network by researching and networking with professionals working in your desired new field.
Put it all in a handy table.
It’s no secret that I love good tables . Putting all of the above sections together and putting them together in one spreadsheet can do wonders for your organization and preparedness. The elements of your spreadsheet will depend on your specific situation, but here are the three main tabs to get you started:
- Goal setting and preparation
- Progress tracking (submitted applications, set of informational interviews, etc.)
- Assessment and self-registration
Having a focused and strategic career exit plan will allow you to take action and control the trajectory of your career. Follow these steps to develop your own career exit strategy.