Will there be a great resignation?
…and what is a great resignation anyways?
I got a note from Andrew Seaman, an editor at LinkedIn News. I’m sure everyone got one. Technically it’s called a sales letter. It has your name on it. Always, it has an introduction and a story meant to cause a connection with you and the writer. Then there’s the ask:
“What’s your advice for people making a [career] shift right now — whether it’s landing a new job or making a career pivot? What’s the best advice you’ve received when it comes to making a job move?”
Some call me an expert…
Fortunately. I am an expert on this subject. In 2010, after decades as a guitar builder and acoustic technician. I rolled up the shop and went back to school.
Importantly, my first career was not a failure. Instruments I built appear on popular records and movie soundtracks. I would be welcomed into any of the top recording studios in LA carrying an armload of my guitars. I am still paid over 80 dollars per hour by musicians making as little as 100 per night.
A bump in the road…
Unfortunately, I was not able to move vertically. Guitar building is a tedious and often toxic process. Likewise, my experience in production environments indicates it is a good job to pay the rent (or buy expensive motorcycles) but not to retire from.
A computer science degree was my choice for change. It was buoyed by the bureau of labor statistics salary numbers and offers for a college loan Similarly, the list of job titles is endless. The rewards for me will come and my classmates are now getting better roles as expected Honestly, I am still glad I did it. Conversely, I am not sure I would recommend it to job hunters.
Surely, the degree has helped me understand software and web development or marketing in ways beyond proficiency. Alternatively, this may work against you in a job hunt. Sometimes, the ticket to good fortune is knowing just enough to get the job and nothing more!
For example, a good friend once told me about an excellent candidate for a position he was trying to fill. “Did you hire him?” I asked. “No way! He will get my job!” was the reply.
Fortunately, this is good news for participants in the Great Resignation. Simply, take the shortest path to the front door of your next job, Likewise, the short and highly targeted resume will stand out. Learn EXACTLY what it takes to make you look your best to recruiters and the managers or executives you will be working for.
These are my recommendations for participants in the Great Resignation:
Incidentally, this is the best advice I received about changing jobs from the professor that taught the first and last classes of my core CS training.
Initially, get What Color is Your Parachute? by Richard N. Bolles. It is the world’s best job hunt manual. There is a chapter on changing careers and another on finding the type of job that matches YOU.
Also, How to Make Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Both these tomes should be considered vital to getting and keeping your dream job. First written in 1923 and 1936 respectively, they are constantly being updated.
Most importantly, careers are about working with people. Own these two books and you will be more attractive to everyone. Crucially, even if you only worked with robots, the robots will have a better time and so will you.
Now for the bottom line…
Specifically, R.N.Bolles says to do what makes you happy. Especially, now is the time to step back and focus on this decision. Concentrate fully on what it is that you want to do. Typically, you may have to sell this idea to a spouse or family members. Take the time to pull everyone in on this deal. Do your self-assessments. Importantly, ask others in your chosen field what it is like. Lastly, once you have made your decision…go like a maniac and don’t look back!
#TheBigShift