5 Reasons It’s Time to Change Jobs During the Pandemic
The global economy has already experienced its first “wave” of job loss and business closures, leaving many people unemployed and dependent on their savings and governmental assistance. The pandemic has redefined the idea of financial and job security, as a quarter of US adults stated someone in their families was laid off during the pandemic.
This grim picture is not the whole one, as we have yet to see the full scope of economic turmoil in the months to come. That said, many people have been using this pandemic as a source of motivation to find new ventures, explore new professional opportunities, and leverage their talents and education in different, more versatile ways.
In a way, instead of clinging on to your current job as if you’re holding on to dear life itself, perhaps the COVID-19 pandemic can be the “nudge” you’ve needed to make a change. Here are a few reasons to help you make this decision and take your career forward in the months to come.
You can make use of your time at home
Most professionals have been sent home during the pandemic because of the risk of spreading the Coronavirus at offices. Working from home is not just a perk in and of itself, it’s also a great chance for people to rethink their careers and to start searching for new opportunities online.
When you have some free time, you can start researching new job options in your field of work and beyond, or see what kind of a salary you can expect if you switch your profession altogether. Perhaps you want to become a social media manager instead of dealing with analytics only, or you’d feel more comfortable making unique jewellery as opposed to being a customer support agent. This is the perfect time to explore your options from home.
Finally consider your driving force and motivation
Now that your job is likely not as stable as it was prior to the pandemic, you can take your time to think about your personal preferences and aspirations. Maybe your current job is a dead-end, or perhaps you’d like to work in a different environment that will provide you with more versatile challenges. This is the perfect moment to consider what motivates you and what keeps you inspired.
The ability to boost your credentials with online learning
Thanks to the pandemic, more platforms have sprouted offering online courses and workshops specialized for specific industries. Take healthcare, for example, a field that is now going through a tremendous change and is in desperate need for more educated and certified workers to provide proper care to the growing number of patients with cardiopulmonary symptoms.
Medical staff skilled in providing pediatric advanced life support (PALS) and similarly specialized care are needed more than ever everywhere in the world. Nurses that want to be able to provide emergency care for kids, for instance, can learn about PALS and get certified online thanks to the growing number of specialized courses. This makes you more qualified for a variety of jobs in healthcare and transforms you into a desirable candidate thanks to the knowledge you can now obtain online, at a rate that doesn’t disrupt your current work.
A chance to ease into your job change
Freelancing might not be your cup of tea as a permanent setup, but you can use it as a way to have a taste of your potential career before you actually make the switch. Many people are afraid to leave their current job because of that sense of security and simply feeling comfortable with their work.
For starters, you can take up a few projects here and there on the side, to see what different responsibilities feel like. If you find other types of work more appealing, you can then prepare for transitioning once you’ve already established yourself in this new field.
More opportunities to work remotely
The trend of working from home hasn’t just inspired technological advancement for numerous businesses. It has also allowed companies to collaborate with global talent instead of remaining limited to their local candidate pool. Suddenly, your resume can find its way to hundreds of companies with an international reputation and with a wide array of perks.
As you’re getting used to working remotely, you’re also preparing for future professional opportunities that empower remote work. This opens up a wide array of global job opportunities for you during the pandemic.
As we’ve established, very few jobs have the same level of security as they did prior to the pandemic. This makes it easier for people reluctant to take risks to finally consider their desires and take this leap of faith – with ample research and preparation, that is. Now’s the time to explore your options and see if there is a job out there that’s suited to your skills and that will bring more joy to your life.
