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I want to thank Renee Frey, whose insights on this topic I borrowed heavily.

Two weeks ago, we discussed whether we were moving into a new normal, where 30% workforce turnover is common. Last week, we explored ways companies could combat this. This week, we put ourselves in the shoes of the workforce that is driving the phenomenon known as the “Great Resignation.”

The Great Resignation is being used to describe the trend of employees quitting their jobs to seek a better work-life balance, more money, more satisfaction, and so on. The pandemic has given a lot of people time to think about a lot of things.

A recent poll done by Monster.com reports that 95% of workers are contemplating a job change. Of course, that does not mean that 95% of the workforce is going to quit tomorrow. People still have families to support, financial obligations, and goals for the future. But if the thought of quitting has crossed your mind, here are some ideas to consider before you do.

1. Identify what is causing your dissatisfaction. Is it your boss, the commute, salary, team, project? Think about what you do daily, write down the tasks you most enjoy doing and those you least enjoy. Listing your likes and dislikes will help put things into perspective as you weigh the decision to stay or go. Perhaps you will identify tasks that can be delegated to other teammates.
2. Identify your career goals. When is the last time you thought about what it is that you really want to do? So often we get caught up in the grind of it all. What is it that you want to do? How far off are you now from accomplishing your goals? What is standing in the way?
3. Identify opportunity. I often see people who leave a job in search of something else, when they could have achieved their career goals with any number of their previous employers. I recommend talking with your manager about a career development plan. Any good leader would be delighted to have a conversation about career development. Ask for advice on how to obtain your goals within your organization.
4. Always be networking. This goes for the happily employed and those who are barely hanging on. Build and nurture relationships within your company, but also outside your company through the great industry associations we have in plastics. You never know what opportunity will open within your network.

About the author

Paul Sturgeon is CEO of KLA Industries, a national search firm specializing in plastics, packaging, and polymer technology. If you have a topic you would like to see discussed, a company that is growing, or other ideas for this blog, e-mail Sturgeon at [email protected].

Renee Frey is President of TalentQ Inc., a recruiter, speaker, and author of I Hate Mondays: A Guide to Landing a Job That Makes You Jump Out of Bed.