Leaving your job can sometimes feel like you’re walking into the unknown. It can be a stressful situation, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid it altogether. Your happiness and your future are at stake. If you’ve carefully decided the change is right for you, then prepare early and take it step by step. Below are a few of these important steps to take when preparing for a job change:
Ask for What You Want
If you plan on leaving because you feel your current employer isn’t giving you what you want, first ask. You might be surprised. It’s not always that your hard work is going unnoticed, it’s sometimes because you weren’t being vocal enough. Whether it’s a promotion, a shift in responsibilities or departments, or a new office, take the time to sit with your boss to discuss why you think you deserve it. List your accomplishments thus far, and address how you think you’d succeed in the future.
Write it Down
Decide on a date of which you’d like to be completely wrapped up in your current role, and put it to paper. Outline any important deadlines you have from now until then. Consider who will be taking over your position and how you will prepare them. Remember, however, that previous employers often make great referrals. You want to leave on a good note, so make sure your timeline is feasible for them, too. Check your employee handbook for what is an appropriate amount of notice and make sure yours fits in.
Also, once you leave your position, it will be easier for you to remember the good and forget the bad. Write down the reasons why you’re unhappy and what you felt could have been better. This will help you in the future determine which potential employers are right for you, and which ones are too similar to the previous.
Update Your Resume and Cover Letter
This may seem obvious, but this step involves more than just adding your most recent job to your resume. Make sure your format is current and readable and that the body is free of grammatical errors. Research resume advice or talk to a job counselor to see what sort of formats are being used today.
Update your cover letter to ensure it’s relevant to the job you want, not the job you had. It should not be a simple reiteration of your resume. Focus on results: what have you done and how has it impacted your department, company, industry? Concentrate on the why: Why did you choose this industry? Why are you passionate about this position? Why do you want this job? State how your own personal and professional values are aligned with the mission of the company.
Stay Confident
You had a plan. You made a timeline. You thought this over, thoroughly. So why, then, are you questioning your decision this late in the game? It’s normal to have “quitter’s remorse”; this is possibly one of the most important decisions you’ll make and you want to ensure you’re doing it right. Keep a support system of encouraging family and friends close, and refer to those diligent notes you took about why you wanted to leave. Think positively about what’s in store for you.
Start the Networking
It’s never too early to get your name out there. You don’t have to explicitly state that you’re leaving your job (especially if you haven’t put in your notice yet), but you can still connect with potential employers by showcasing your talents and accomplishments. Join relevant organizations, participate in forums, attend public meetings, or simply send cold email.
Breaking Free
Once you’ve decided your current position isn’t right for you, then take the next step and plan ahead instead of getting stuck. The transition may be tough, but if you’re continually working toward improving your situation and focusing on your own satisfaction, then it will be worth it in the end.
Dove Management Resources, LLC is a national pharmacy search firm established in 2002. We currently have relationships with hundreds of hospitals, health insurance companies, and Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) organizations, and they may be looking for someone just like you! We would love to hear from you; confidentially submit your CV/resume to us at www.dovemgt.net or call 561-434-4311 for a personal conversation.
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