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Sign Up Now“A Microsoft survey from March 2022 revealed that 41% of employees were considering leaving their positions, while a McKinsey survey in July 2022 showed a similar figure at 40%.”
Because of Covid-19 and the so-called “new normal,” it seems these numbers are not going away anytime soon.
To take advantage of the “great resignation” wave that is leaving many industries short-staffed and eager for skilled workers, you need to be clear about one key point from the start.
The pandemic shifted the balance of control between companies and employees, making it more difficult for businesses to enforce unreasonable work rules. The organizations that responded quickly with digital tools, hybrid setups, or fully remote work gained the interest of candidates. In doing so, they challenged more traditional industries such as hospitality, transport, and construction.
In this guide, we will show how to leave a job smartly and handle the process the right way.
When you make the big decision to quit your job, a solid plan is essential. You want to secure a role that you enjoy, and this requires time. You shouldn’t feel pushed to grab the next job just to cover bills. Careful preparation can also prevent you from jumping too often between roles. A proper plan will help you keep your resume from giving the impression of frequent job changes.
Unfortunately, many people don’t put enough thought into leaving a role the right way. Depending on instinct and hoping for luck can work against you. It is much better to build a plan, and this doesn’t have to take up too much time or effort.
You can gain a big advantage in the job market by hiring a career coach.
A good coach can help you rebuild your resume and LinkedIn profile, and they can prepare you for interviews with advice on personal branding and effective answers to tough questions.
A career coach is skilled at uncovering strengths you may overlook. Through different tests, they can guide you toward roles that match your personality. They also stay updated on growing industries and can support your own market research. With their help, you can choose the career path and field that best suits your future goals.
The purpose of LinkedIn is to showcase your real skills and invite others to learn more about you. For that reason, your LinkedIn profile must look appealing and, most importantly, stay up to date.
If your profile hasn’t been refreshed in five years and you’re thinking about leaving your job, then this is the right time to improve it.
Featured section - add links to your portfolio, certificates, awards, or other achievements;
About section - short professional bio;
Languages section - keep it current
Recommendations - to make LinkedIn highlight your profile in recruiter searches, gather at least 5–6 solid recommendations.
Also, try to share useful posts with your network once every week. Another smart way to build visibility, which can bring new opportunities and collaborations, is to share posts in LinkedIn groups or join public discussions where you can give your input as a specialist.
Still, refreshing LinkedIn alone is not enough if you are moving into a career that demands retraining after resignation. In such a situation, to compete properly, you will need to invest extra effort and update or expand your skill set.
Also, make sure your Resume, Cover letter, and LinkedIn show that you either already have the required skills for the position or are actively learning them.
The iHire’s 2020 Talent Retention Report pointed out that one of the biggest hurdles or advantages for career changers is having a clear and well-written Resume.
To stand out and get shortlisted, certain basics always help:
A short summary of your background, skills, achievements, and career goals. Drawing the recruiter’s focus toward your transferable abilities early on helps them picture you in the role. If you don’t add an objective in a few lines, your Resume may not be considered (and may need a review), especially if you lack direct experience in the new area.
If you are aiming to step into another field, highlight your relevant skills more than your past roles, as your experience may not directly match the new job.
That’s why it is better to put a strong skills section before your work history. This way, the recruiter already has a positive impression of you as a suitable candidate. You will strengthen this further if you explain how you gained each skill or mention related successes.
Finally, to make your career shift Resume effective, close with a:
Once you have built a strong Career Change Resume, you can begin reaching out to companies where you would like to work.
The right step is to send your CV along with a Letter of Interest, which is also known as a Statement of Interest, Prospecting Letter, or Expression of Interest.
Whatever you call it, the main purpose is to add more value to your application, not only with your skills but also by showing respect for the company and connecting your goals with their vision. Do not underestimate how strong this type of message can be, even for someone new to the field. It helps you stand apart from many others — even candidates with years of experience.
"According to HubSpot, 85% of jobs are filled through networking. In fact, according to CNBC, 70% of jobs are never published publicly." This means if you want access to that 70% of hidden jobs, you need to practice effective networking.
A few professional rules make the process positive and rewarding for everyone. Focus on genuine exchange and not just as a way to get something. Ask people for details, advice, or insights about company culture instead of directly pushing for a job. Treating others as a shortcut to your end goal will only push them away.
Always be polite and respectful and share something useful in return — such as an article, report, or piece of research that they might appreciate.
The ideal time to resign and move forward is when you already have several offers or choices in hand.
By applying the guidance above, you will attract more opportunities and soon find a role that fits you well. Still, there is one more step to handle carefully at this stage.
It is the way you exit your current position. The manner in which you leave reflects a lot about your professionalism and maturity. Below are suggestions for keeping the relationship positive and leaving doors open for future connections.
Yes, you must put your resignation in writing, but make sure to give it in person. Showing this level of respect is essential. If you and your manager are not in the same location, arrange a video call or, at the very least, a phone conversation.
Remain calm and thankful, and offer to help with training the replacement or supporting the transition until the handover is complete.
The key parts that should be included in your resignation letter are:
In this post, you have seen that quitting a job can be handled with care and method. The core steps that bring multiple offers your way and let you move on successfully are: building a strong LinkedIn profile, keeping networking active both online and offline, writing a solid Career Change Resume with a Letter of Interest, and upgrading your skills.
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