The summer holiday season is notoriously a time when many people seriously consider handing in their notice. The combination of winding down and settling into a slower pace of life for 2 weeks or so, gets many people thinking about their lives and asking themselves the question – am I happy in my job?
For many people dreaming about resigning whilst floating away on the lilo with a ice cold beer in hand, remains just that, a dream. For others, this time of year can actually kickstart the process for real. For some, beginning to relax, smile alot more and feel unstressed for the first time in ages actually helps assess their jobs and roles alot more effectively – you’re not in the middle of doing the role sat on that sunbed and actually when you stop and think for a minute, you can ask yourself, do I enjoy doing it anymore anyway!?
For some, this clearer perspective is all they need to hand in their resignation immediately on their return. One candidate speaking with Arras People recently got in touch following a holiday and subsequent resignation, they said, “I decided to hand in my notice and get out of my last role before having another job to go into. There were a couple of motivators really, one being that I realised I wasn’t going to get that two-year promised pay rise no matter how much I worked to get noticed and the second, that I could feel myself getting more and more bitter about it. It’s things like this that really affect your attitude and it’s probably an attitide that gets noticed by future potential employers. It was definitely the right time to go”
Sometimes leaving a role can be a very difficult choice to make, there is so much to consider and take into account. For some the emotive decision comes easily and they act upon it, for others, careful and considered planning needs to take place. Here are just a few of the things to consider if you’re thinking about leaving your job this summer.
- There really is a seasonal aspect to job-hunting – the times to avoid are pretty obvious – summer holidays, Christmas and Easter. Staff responsible for taking on new employees AND contractors are away from work and very little decision-making gets done.
- Job hunting can be a full-time job and it can be dis-heartening so make the most of your personal network first – your next rewarding job could just as easily come through contacts of your friend, sister etc.
- Don’t burn your bridges – again an obvious one but it has been known to happen. This can affect not only the outcome of references but you never know the how, where or when you might come into contact with the organisation again – they might end up being a client of yours!
- Really think about what you want out of your next role – just looking for something which uses your current skill sets or experience may not provide you with the challenges you want however the market is pretty stagnant at the moment with employers looking for new employees who very very closely match their requirements. Ask yourself the question; it is your current role you have issues with or the organsation you work for? The most likely opportunities in the current marketplace will be ones which are very similar to the job you are already doing.
- Is now the time to consider going it alone? Have a look at the brilliant article on Top 10 Reasons to Start a Business in the Recession
Talk and plan and keep talking and planning is my advice but, “Never ignore a gut feeling, but never believe that it’s enough. Heller” sums it up pretty nicely too.
I’ll be on my sun lounger for the next two weeks, Happy Summer Holidays! Happy Planning! Adios!
Lindsay x
Twitter: rkelly976
Good post, hits a chord with me.
Going on 3 yrs…pay raises have stopped corporate wide. They are going with an additional 3% bonus structure. That along with a shrinking department and liquid org chart has me thinking about the next move.