By Melissa Davies, Wise Ways Consulting
This summer, as we celebrate our first steps of COVID independence, another personal independence is happening. It’s being called the Great Resignation Migration. Workplace wonks have predicted that employees who have been stuck at home without pay raises, promotions, or praise would be looking to leave their jobs. That prediction is coming true, and faster than anticipated.
What does that mean for you here in Prince William? It could be time to look for a new job, even if you are satisfied where you are. Research shows that people who are in the same job for two years or more are leaving money on the table, up to 50%. The pandemic has kept people at their companies and many have been grateful to have jobs. But, now it’s time for a reset.
Northern Virginia has an incredible mix of high-tech, consulting, government, healthcare, and education jobs. That means you can take your skills and change industries.
I’m not advising you leave your job for the sake of a trend. However, with people leaving, companies will need to rethink benefits, teams, promotions, and salaries. If you like the flexibility of working from home and your current employer wants you back in the office, you may want to look elsewhere. If your current job has no room for growth, now may just be the time to leverage your level head and demonstrated accomplishments during the pandemic.
Or maybe the whole employment uncertainty has you feeling untethered. Now may be the time to explore a stable government position, either with the state or federal government.
As we come out of the pandemic shutdown, economic trends in employment and housing show Virginia to be doing well, compared to other parts of the nation. Many people have taken this time to assess what and who is most important to them. Work is only one part of our lives. The pandemic has blurred the line between work and home as many people have worked from their kitchen tables and bedrooms.
My advice: Come out of your home, stretch your legs (get a vaccine), and look around with fresh eyes. If a new job is the breath of fresh air you need to find your sense of freedom and independence, you’ll be in good company and a new organization will be happy to have you.
Melissa Davies is an executive leadership coach and facilitator as well as the author of How Not to Act Like a BLEEP at Work. She resides in Prince William County and runs Wise Ways Consulting, which specializes in leadership, management and team development, executive coaching, group facilitation and high-engagement training. She can be reached at info@wisewaysconsulting.com or through wisewaysconsulting.com.
