The great resignation is going strong in 2022. A recent government jobs report indicated that well over 20 million people quit their jobs in the second half of 2021. In January of 2022, 4.3 million Americans left their jobs. While many made this choice due to a career transition, other people are resigning despite not having anything lined up.
The high labor demand is forcing employers to pay higher wages to attract talent, and this higher pay is luring workers away from their current jobs. If you’re one of these individuals that have just given your 2 weeks notice without a job offer… here’s what you need to do:
Ask for a recommendation
If you’re on good terms with the leadership in your organization, ask your manager if they would be willing to write you a letter of recommendation. It’s best to do this when you’re actually resigning so there’s enough time for them to write the letter before your official last day. If you’re not comfortable with that, ask your colleagues if they would be willing to serve as a reference.
Tap into your network
LinkedIn is a great place to start. Before you even bother hitting up the job boards, it’s a good idea to notify your connections that you’re going through a transition period. If you’ve ever scoured a public job posting on Indeed or LinkedIn, you’ll notice that you’re usually competing with 200-300 people. If you have a referral, you’ll have a leg up on that competition and potentially avoid it altogether.
Create a 60-day plan
You don’t want to sit on the bench forever. Reflect on your career and decide where you see yourself moving forward. Perhaps you want to take a small break from working altogether, or you want to transition into a different career path completely. Create a goal of when you would like to get back into the workforce and plan to make this period of your life as actionable as possible.
Don’t burn bridges
Even if this was the absolute worst job on planet earth, this is not the time to voice your grievances. You never know if or when you’re going to cross paths in the future. Play it safe. Express your gratitude, stay positive and keep an open mind towards your future endeavors.