Should you make a big shift?

The pandemic produced an interesting phenomenon in its early days. A large number of people decided that they wanted to make a career change after being laid off from their previous roles. Many people would think such a move is counterintuitive since uncertainty should make people run toward the safety of what they know. Instead, these people reevaluated their lives — personally and professionally — and decided to make a change.

We’re likely at the start or on the eve of a similar phenomenon also created by the pandemic. In this case, some experts suggest those who remained in their jobs are just waiting for a good economy and labor market to make a big move. New data support this theory, with Prudential finding more than half of Americans would change industries if they could retrain. More money, better opportunities and — just — a change are among the main drivers of these people.

Jessi Hempel, my colleague and the host of LinkedIn’s Hello Monday, recently sat down with Anthony Klotz, who is a management professor at Texas A&M University. He dubbed this impending phenomenon “the great resignation.” But there are other terms for all of these moves people are about to make.

LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky (i.e. my boss) recently posted a video about this topic, calling it the #GreatReshuffle. Personally, I’ve been calling these upcoming changes (to the whole world of work) #TheBigShift. I prefer these terms more than “the great resignation” because most people can’t afford to just quit their job. Some can, but that is a privilege. 

These movements may happen on a scale unlike anything we’ve ever experienced in modern history, but the good news is that tens or millions of people have undergone career changes and pivots throughout their lives. And, beyond what may soon look like chaos in the job market are individuals just like you making moves for one reason or another.

I reached out to LinkedIn members around the world (maybe even you) asking them to post their advice for people considering a career change or looking to land a new job. Thousands upon thousands of LinkedIn members answered the call to help others by posting their advice on their profiles. While I can’t feature them all, I’ve collected a few that resonated with me to highlight below. Please take some time to explore all of the amazing advice tagged to #TheBigShift hashtag. You won’t be disappointed!

• “No one achieves success alone. It’s going to be really, really crucial — especially if you’re thinking about making a change — to build a strong network for yourself.” — said Marielle Legair, who is a personal brand trainer.
• “I would encourage anyone considering #TheBigShift to keep this in mind as well: Pivot with purpose. Know what you're getting into. Make sure you can see a career that makes you happy and a career path that motivates you.” — wrote Gabriel LeDonne, who is a writer and editor.
• “Even though you may not be happy with your job, you don’t necessarily have to leave it. Think about what you would gain by leaving a job you don’t like. Will a career change give you more satisfaction?” — wrote Garima Nabh, who is a blogger and content writer.
• “Title chasing is probably the most common mistake I see people make, especially early in their careers. Most times when someone on my team has given notice, it was to become a director, or a VP, or a C-level exec at a worse company with worse prospects and worse people. Nobody will care if you're a VP at a company nobody has ever heard of... Promotions and fancy titles will come if you bet on the right horse.” — wrote Mike Trigg, who is an author and advisor.
• “A wise old professor once told me: ‘When you work in my Department, I can unlock the door of opportunity for you, but it is up to you to push the door open, step through it and make the most of the opportunities that await you on the other side.’ The Corona crisis has unlocked a door for potential new opportunities, but will you dare to walk through that door and take it?” — wrote Riana Schreuders, who is an assistant professor at the Amsterdam School for International Business.
• “Take out a notebook and write out what would I like to do, let yourself write whatever comes to mind and then take those ideas and break them down further to see what would be involved and how it makes you feel. You've heard the saying ‘you will know’ and it's true, you will know and feel your next calling.” — wrote Lisa Patel, who is a realtor.
• “Changing careers during a pandemic can seem daunting--but it can be done. Figure out what you need and what you can offer. Know your worth and ask for it. Do what's best for you and your family.” — wrote Jamie Orsini, who is a news editor.
• “I’ve left massive piles of organizational equity on the table at former employers in the quest for the next shiny thing. Just to be clear: I have grown in almost all of my jobs and I am so grateful for the lessons I have learned. But I’ve not been as strategic in those changes as I could have been. New things can look especially shiny when you are bored, frustrated or unmotivated in your current space. So check those boxes to make sure you can't remodel your current gig.” — wrote Alissa Kiedrowski, who works in marketing communications.

What’s your advice for people thinking about making a career change or pivot? Publish your thoughts on your LinkedIn profile using the hashtag #TheBigShift. You can find what others are saying by clicking here.

What else do you need to know?

Launching a career? Getting a career off the ground can seem overwhelming at times, but there are a few simple steps you can take to find success, according to one expert. For example, craft each application for the job you want — don’t just send the same materials to every employer. Also, have a growth mindset and remember that your first job won’t be your last. Join the conversation and read all the expert advice by clicking here.

Do workers need a break? Bumble recently joined the effort to help its employees decompress, destress and take a break by shutting down its offices around the world. Other companies have been making similar moves to help employees avoid burnout in an age when many people are working longer hours from home or readjusting to an office. Here’s what people are saying about the trend.

Small businesses are all the rage? Small businesses have faced a lot of headwinds during the pandemic, but some factors are creating a good environment to launch such a venture. Axios reports that sales channels and companies like Shopify and Stripe are giving small businesses a platform. The result is a record number of entrepreneurs starting businesses in 2020 — online and at physical locations. Here’s what people are saying about the news.

▶ Invest in yourself

Emotional intelligence is an important area to work on for anyone who wants to grow in their career and manage others. In this LinkedIn Learning course, you’ll learn how to develop your emotional intelligence from Gemma Leigh Roberts, who is a psychologist and the founder at The Resilience Edge.

▶ Coming up...

We’ve just talked about making a change in your career, but what if you don’t want to leave your employer and — at least mostly — like your job? We’ll be talking about that in the next edition of #GetAhead. What can people do to increase the satisfaction they get from their current employer and role? How can they find meaning and inspiration? Join the conversation by publishing your thoughts in a post on your LinkedIn profile with the hashtag #CreateMeaning. You may see your suggestions in the next newsletter!