Why now is a great time to take the leap of faith and explore the market?
Although the year has been one full of immense change and difficulty, it has also brought on time for people to reflect on the world and their place in it. With so many people being forced to take a step back from the rush of everyday life, people are beginning to review their career path and current jobs.
Maybe this added time under lockdown has given you the clarity you needed to understand that you do not enjoy what you do for a living or that working from home has uncovered flaws in your current job or your boss. Perhaps you have realised that you want to transition to a completely different career. As scary as it may seem, now is the perfect time to take a leap of faith and start exploring the market for a job that you will really enjoy and allow you to prosper and flourish.
Why Now is a Good Time to Explore the Market
COVID-19 lockdown and social isolation restrictions mean that many Victorians are finding themselves with a lot more free time at home but instead of switching on Netflix or committing every waking second to uncovering the perfect sourdough recipe, now is the perfect time to begin exploring the job market and investing in your future career.
Searching for your next opportunity is both time consuming and mentally exhausting process and people often put it on the back burner – especially if they already have a full-time job or a busy life. Once restrictions begin to lift, you may find yourself putting your future career further down on your to-do list as life begins to return to normal, and your calendar begins to fill up. Therefore, now is the time to evaluate what you want from your career and begin the search for a role where you will both progress and thrive.
Should I Quit my Job?
No, we are not telling you to quit your job, but rather to take some time to reflect and work out the best path of action for you.
For some, this may involve leaving their current role but it is important to consider all of the positives and negatives of taking such a life-changing step.
Firstly, examine why you want to leave. Are you dealing with a negative work environment or an insufferable boss? Is your work too demanding leaving you with no time or energy to commit to beginning the job search process? Sometimes it may be better to quit your job and start afresh so that you are able to fully commit to exploring new career paths. Alternatively, you may find it more manageable to simply reduce your hours and explore the job market in your free time. Find what works best for you and your financial situation.
It is also integral that you are mentally and financially prepared to be out of the workforce. Job searching can be draining, and it may take some time to find the perfect position, so it is important to ensure you are mentally prepared and have decided on concrete actions that you will take. Quitting generally also means that you will not have a stable income, so ensure you allocate at least three months of your savings to prepare for the time you may be out of work.
Finally, if you are thinking of transitioning into a new career, now is a great time to develop new skills and return to or begin studying. There are many practical online courses available, such as edX, that you can take in your free time to develop your employable skills, with everything from graphic design to learning Mandarin on offer.
Start Now!
Yes, we understand that this is an intimidating process, but you won’t get anywhere if you do not start. You can begin by simply exploring the job options out there or reaching out to one of our friendly consultant. Just remember to back yourself and your skills, there is a job out there waiting for you, you just have to engage in the opportunities.
Don’t wait until things have returned to normal when you’ll be too busy to commit to the process, take the leap now!
Seek Assistance in Finding an Employer with Match
If you would like a little extra support in beginning your journey to a new career, the team at Match can give you the push in the right direction and 'match' you with an exceptional employer. Feel free to contact us for more information.