5 Ways To Make The Most Of The Great Resignation

The world has seen huge shifts in public health and the economy since the start of the pandemic in 2019. As the pandemic waned, researchers noticed a rising trend in resignations across industries, calling it “The Great Resignation”.

48 million people quit their jobs in 2021, and in 2021 44% of employees continue to be job seekers. Some choose to factor in burnout or lifestyle changes. Most cite the rise of ample opportunities such as higher pay or better benefits.

Regardless of the reasons, the clear desire for career development among workers of all generations has resulted in companies adjusting to meet this demand. If you're one of these workers, then maximizing the opportunities in The Great Resignation is crucial. Here are five ways to do just that.

1. Leverage For A Promotion

In an effort to retain their current staff, many companies have opted to provide employees promotions instead, hoping that the extra pay and benefits will encourage talent to stay.

It's important to keep your options open. Leveraging a promotion doesn’t mean throwing all of your cards down and attempting to quit. Instead, it's best to approach your supervisor and objectively discuss how your workload and performance qualifies you for a better title. Make sure to base this off industry standards and any available data.

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2. Take Advantage Of Companies’ Reskilling Programs

Studies show that 94% of employees would’ve stayed at their workplaces longer if offered the platform to grow. This is primarily because in-house development programs allow them to see the dynamic, long-term picture when it comes to their job.

Companies have consequently become mindful of the need to adopt an education mindset. More than 67% of HR managers received an increased budget for training in 2022 to boost their learning and development programs, and fresh recruits and old-time employees can participate in the additional benefit to boost their workplace value.

You can also take LinkedIn Learning courses to help build your knowledge base of of sought-after skills.

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3. Negotiate For Better Benefits

Whether it’s switching jobs or choosing to stay, it is important to remember that the choice falls on employees. This means that workers have the power of setting the demand. This can come in handy if the prospect of asking for a promotion right away doesn’t seem viable.

Improving workplace conditions by increasing the benefits is a reasonable request given the shift in standards. So don’t be afraid to ask — modern human resource management programs train graduates how to properly manage talent and recruit them, so they understand the necessity of negotiating for crucial benefits. As long as you objectively make your case based on research, your request is likely to be heard.

4. Get Creative About Your Career Path

As many employees waited out the pandemic in the safety of their homes, they realized the value of making every day count. Life is too short to stay in a job where you don’t see yourself happy or successful.

Shifting workplaces and taking some time off to enroll in class is a common solution, while others have completely left the corporate sphere to become a digital nomad. Nine-to-five desktop jobs and climbing up the corporate ladder no longer have to be the norm for an upwards trajectory for your career.

5. Aim For Your Dream Job

With that said, this may be the perfect time for you to get the job you’ve always wanted but weren’t able to due to personal restrictions like qualifications or pay. Workplaces are hungry for talent, and what better chance for you to take advantage of that than by aiming high. Send in those applications and take that interview — what do you have to lose?

There's no better time than today to work towards the career path that you’ve always wanted. For those who have been thinking of a career change, use our tips and take the chance to come out of The Great Resignation stronger and happier with your career than ever before.

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Meet The Writer!

My name is Rosetta Juliana and I have been working in the field of human resources for over ten years. Clearly, my passion lies in identifying how humans form relationships. That's why I've recently taken to working from my laptop while traveling around the world! This allows me to freely form connections with all sorts of people from different backgrounds.