Cutting Career Anchors
As the world slowly continues to re-open, and as the job market heats up after a lengthy Covid-induced slumber, it’s no surprise that experts (according to LinkedIn) are predicting “A Great Resignation” to hit the country.
Funny how a pandemic, the contemplation of one’s mortality, a tsunami of emails/video conference calls and little human contact with co-workers can lead to questioning a chosen career field.
I suspected this may happen when I wrote an article last year about my perspective on quitting a job without a job, that can be found here.
I’ve also tried to touch upon what I think employers (particularly agencies) can do to retain talent in the face of this impending staff departure, which evidently will be worse than LA sports fans leaving a game with 10 mins to go in the 4th quarter, with the home team down by 7. Have a look.
What I’d like to write about today, are some simple insights for those who are opting to be a part of “The Great Resignation” and are currently contemplating a career pivot.
Leaving a full-time job and freelancing for a year and a half back in 2017 provided me with some good perspective as it pertains to shaking up a career and shining a light on things that I surprisingly needed to let go of in order to ultimately grow professionally.
So, if you’re looking to make a professional change, perhaps this article will help you on your journey. That is, unless you’re looking to do something drastic like pursue competitive eating or exotic animal smuggling, in which case I won’t be as much help as would an article by Joey Chestnut or Joe Exotic.
With that, let’s get started on three career anchors to potentially cut, as you search for what’s next…..
Mo’ Money Less Options
Whether you like it or not, your current salary may be an anchor that is keeping your career exploration from getting away from the dock.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m an advocate for being paid what one deserves. I also am very cognizant that people have families and real life needs that must be supported with a healthy and fair salary.
That said, freelancing taught me a valuable lesson:
As a freelancer, I often fluctuated at, above and under what I once was paid while fulltime. This fluctuation did not dramatically impact my day to day life, and while I may have had to make some sacrifices, I was able to open a door to new experiences that would have remained closed had I been precious about my former salary.
Do I think everyone should take a salary cut to make a pivot? Absolutely not. However, if it’s change you’re seeking, I would suggest that you contemplate a range that you’re comfortable existing within. I suspect you won’t miss the money if it’s replaced by new learnings, professional growth and a deeper fulfillment than what may exist at your current rate of pay. By creating a new salary range, you automatically open yourself up to greater options on the table vs. creating self-imposed search limitations. I suppose it’s controversial to suggest taking less to grow more, but it’s a reframing of one’s professional priorities that I think is wise to consider.
Terminate Title
When seriously considering a pivot, I think it’s wise to consider letting go of whatever attachment you may have to your current title.
I know, I know…..everyone has worked hard for their job level and I certainly don’t mean to diminish any of that hard work. I also am not here to suggest that if your ambition is to remain within your current industry, that you drop down seven levels, from Director to Coordinator, simply to work on a brand or vertical that you’re passionate about. And hey, if you’re ambition is too chase a title that currently resides above you, by all means, keep climbing towards it.
When making a pivot to a different brand or industry, an openness to alternate titles and roles is important, if you truly seek as many options as possible to choose from.
In 2017, I was a full-time Group Account Director and I was proud of that accomplishment. When I left to explore freelance, I served as an Account Director, Copywriter and Program Marketing Manager. Lots of different titles in a short amount of time, but yet, I still felt like the same person. One who now just had a greater diversification of experience under his belt, which would have never occurred had I been precious about title.
After a return to Group Account Director in 2019, followed by a Covid-stint of unemployment, I became (and still am) a Sr. Manager of Brand Marketing. I continue to learn new things every day and grow professionally simply because I chose to not limit my search or world to that of being called what I once was in my former life. That would only have served as a barrier to growth and ultimately, ego would have gotten in the way of career exploration and opportunity.
So, if you’re serious about a true pivot, place title aside and allow yourself, within reason, to explore roles that intrigue you and don’t be confined by the notion of title.
Give Comfort….The Boot (The Roots, The Radicals)
“Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” I’ve mentioned this notion before in my writings and probably owe a beer to whomever came up with this statement, because I love it and have learned to lean into it.
Listen, I don’t like being uncomfortable. Ask anyone who’s been in a meeting with me were the thermostat is a degree above 77 degrees and I’m sweating like a wired-informant at a Gambino pool party.
But the fact is, comfort is something that keeps people from making big career pivots. And, I get that. It feels good to work with a team you like. It’s nice to have your daily job down pat and to know how to navigate an organization with your eyes closed.
But that comfort doesn’t equate to professional growth if you’re not feeling fulfilled or challenged by your current role. All comfort is doing is keeping you from stepping out into the unknown, where you’ll undoubtably be forced to learn, adapt and grow by virtue of…..you guessed it…discomfort.
So, if comfort is holding you back from making a pivot, don’t be afraid to cut it out of your professional life in favor of the uneasiness that is new experience.
The Wrap Up
Well, that’s it. Three career anchors that can be cut if one is truly serious about setting sail towards the unchartered waters of a career pivot.
If you’re one of the predicted many planning to take part in “The Great Resignation,” I hope this perspective proves helpful.
Good luck. I’ll certainly be rooting for you.
