Though for quite a long time I was not satisfied with my old job, I never thought of spending much time on career planning or career development. I was very busy at work every day. After work, I came home and spent little time with my family. I was always tired out and unhappy but it seemed that there was no need to look for a new job. My wife once advised me to get a new one, and what I probably really needed was some career counseling or career advice from someone who had been in a similar position before.
I’ll never forget the day when I had the idea of quitting my job. That morning the typical daily frustrations started again, due to the miserable meeting that I disliked more and more. I entered the office with two of my co-workers to join a conference on one of my “favorite” projects. I can still remember the look of confusion on my team members’ faces when the client refused our project. At that moment, I decided that I’d had ENOUGH. I realized I didn’t have to take it any more and my life was going to change.
At the very beginning, I didn’t realize the importance of finding a career coach who can help to make the process easier, so I spent a lot of time in self-reflection and writing down some of my career planning steps. The following is an overview of my career planning journey—from searching for answers, to giving my two weeks’ notice, to learning from my co-workers.
I. Quit your job vs. keep your job.
When you’re considering a job change, here are some criteria you might think of:
• Commute;
• Salary;
• Profits and benefits;
• Career advancement;
• Interest in the job;
• Office environment;
• Hours worked.
Once you’ve made your list, rank the items based on their importance to you.
II. What’s more important than making money?
Would you take a better job but with a lower salary? There are several reasons the new job is appealing:
• Less stress;
• Flexible work hours;
• Career development;
• Reward for your effort.
III. The art of quitting your job gracefully.
No matter how bad your job seems at the time you leave, it’s wise to quit your job gracefully and not burn your bridges. Here are some suggestions:
• Give two weeks’ notice.
• Finish your job, especially the smaller tasks you are doing, before washing your hands of everything.
• Hand over and take over.
• Smile on the way out.
Do reconsider the following questions before you leave:
• Why are you leaving?
• What will happen once you’re gone?
• Will the group or company be in trouble?
• Will they have to work overtime to make up for the work you have left behind?
• Will other employees start looking for a new job as well?
If you can quit decently and leave as a friend, it will be better off for your career in the long run.
IV. Some other career tips from my co-workers.
• Work to live, don’t live to work.
• Learn and record.
• Always be positive.
• Don’t worry unnecessarily.
• Learn the rules.
• Put family first.
It’s been a year since I changed my job and I’m amazingly happy. It was career planning that not only saved my life but has so far saved me a whole year of being miserable. It’s been a dramatic year and I enjoy it very much, thanks in large part to career planning. Career planning can help you get a better job that pays more, teaches you new skills, requires you to work fewer hours, and makes you happier in life.