Hello, everyone! Welcome back to Kyrabe Stories. Today, we have a special guest post from P.A. Raymond on tips for preparing for a transition into a new job!
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Quitting a job is no fun. It causes a lot of stress, especially when we have responsibilities or people depending on us. However, the main problem is not usually quitting but what to do next. So, unless you’re quitting because you’ve found petroleum in your backyard or another way to upgrade your life, this list is for you – a quick roadmap to transition from job to job.
Plenty of interviewers ask where you see yourself in five years. While this question has its background, we should ask ourselves a similar set of questions when we start working at a place.
How long am I willing to do this? This first question is meant to see how much we are willing to take without our situation changing. It creates a deadline for either changing jobs, expecting a better salary, or waiting before going up in the company we’re at. It also serves to plan our future steps.
What am I willing to stand for at this job? We sometimes forget to set boundaries for ourselves regarding what we are willing to do for our job at the current pay rate. This makes it easier for others to step over us. Setting these boundaries will also help us in the next part of our decision if we wish to quit.
It can be challenging to decide between leaving your job or staying. It’s okay to have second thoughts, but please always be aware that whether you choose to leave or stay, you must take this decision with a clear-minded head. Avoid deciding to quit during the heat of the moment, but also don’t decide to stay over an emotional burst of nostalgia.
Be as objective as possible with your reasons behind leaving or staying. This is most useful when asked by human resources the reason why you decide to leave once, they are informed by you (more on this ahead). Always remember that anger and frustration are the consequences of the reason that made you leave, not the reason itself. Try to identify what caused this frustration. This is the problem that must be solved, and you have to decide if changing jobs will fix it.
It can be a life-changing choice to switch jobs, so embracing the decision to change in a positive light and with solid conviction will always be better than being in constant doubt regarding quitting or not.
Certain companies will consider keeping you, and it’s a good sign to them that you’re willing to negotiate the terms of your permanence. While not all reasons for quitting can lead to this, always be open to negotiation when applicable. If you’re planning to leave for reasons such as the payment or something and you feel comfortable enough to share with a higher-up, give yourself a chance to share it in the possibility of a settlement.
We know about the customary two-week leave notice. We do want to emphasize the relevance of avoiding turning your leave into a cliché. This happens when you’re constantly sharing your desire to quit with the wrong people but you never get your head around it.
We understand that you may need to share or even ask for your opinion on leaving, but if you find yourself constantly complaining to coworkers, this could become a burden to you and will mostly serve for the worsening of your situation.
This is something you should try to consider as early as possible, even during your first paychecks on your job. There’s nothing worse than having decided to leave a job but not having the means to do so. This includes not having savings to sustain you during the transition.
One way to do this is to calculate how much you need to live for a determined period: Rent, services, groceries, transportation, and all expenses you know exist.
While your severance can help with this (if your company provides it), it’s not a good idea to solely trust your severance as several factors could delay it.
Furthermore, keep in mind that the response time on a job can take more than one month in some cases.
Investments are another good way to have an emergency budget in the future. They could even become a stronger source of income in the long run. Again, this must be planned ahead of time to avoid sudden disruptions in the investment.
Having a part-time job or resorting to freelancing is a great alternative to waiting to land a new job. 2020 made work from home more common, and most of these jobs are returning to the office. There are plenty of freelance jobs you can use to give yourself an extra income while you wait for a new salary.
We’re again discussing the two-week notice that certain countries contemplate. While this practice can vary depending on the location and company, many expect it as a formality. Of course, this also depends on the contract you’ve signed.
Now, this part is very subjective, but if you cannot afford (mentally or economically) a two-week notice, consider refraining from it, especially if you know that this could easily mean you will be laid off as soon as you put in your notice.
We’re talking about half a month’s worth of salary that is good to keep if possible. Yet again, if you decide to put in the notice, make sure it is in your best interests in the long run. If you’re not sure, then a good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that if this is a company you see a potential future in returning back to or staying connected with in some way, a notice will be respectful and beneficial to provide.
We are in a competitive world. One may be tempted to apply to jobs in bulk with one resume and wait for the first job that decides to call. If we’re looking for a healthy transition, it is best to do your research on the job you’re trying to land.
Look around for their ratings and their work ethics. This will also give you an edge when applying. Employers like to know if their applicants have looked into their businesses. Few employers will accept workers who seem desperate, as they are also trying to secure a lasting employee.
Take the time to craft and write cover letters and personalize the resume to the position’s demands. Remember, you are trying to sell yourself as the best candidate for that position.
While the reasons to quit a job are many, when answering an interview about why you want to leave, do your best to craft it as professionally as possible. Yes, your mental health and your work/life balance are good reasons, but avoid things that sound too personal, even if they are true. This is not the time to vent to a hiring manager how horrific your previous supervisor was. They will see it as a red flag if express a massive grudge against any job or individual.
While the idea is to keep your new job, the planning phase that we described in this article is always good to calculate. Ask yourself the same questions again, rebuild that emergency budget, and always aim to never depend solely on the severance. That way, you will always have a plan B.
It is important to consider that you won’t always have all of the aspects of your transition under full control. But planning will always be better than letting the odds do the picking for you.
Thanks again for the special guest post from P.A. Raymond on tips to help you prepare for a transition into a new job!
And when it comes to deciding on positive changes for your well-being in any aspect of your life, strive to make it happen one story at a time!
Take care,
The Kyrabe Stories team
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