Work Pivot ~ Tiphanie W. | May 2023
It’s a thing – it is definitely a thing, changing jobs that is. Let’s dive deeper and look at the pros and cons of changing jobs (frequently).
I consider myself a bit old fashioned with a lot of stuff. My views on work attire, work attendance and work relationships are all very traditional. As I get older and I would like to think, wiser, my thoughts on other areas have changed. You may have heard me say before, the pandemic taught us that employers CAN be flexible and most jobs can be done outside of an “office”. I personally do not believe that a workweek absolutely has to be 40 hours, Monday through Friday. Occasionally, jobs can be done in less time and less days but it takes team work and efficiency. Of course, that may not be the case every week or for every industry either. I am fortunate enough to have an employer that does offer some flexibility with perks such as 4-day work weeks, hybrid settings and PTO.
But let’s talk about this concept of pivoting. I know I will ruffle the feathers of “seasoned” workplace leaders and the old fashioned. But I say, if you desire a change, if the work is no longer working for you, or if you are completely burned out, leave! Plain and simple. It is not the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s anymore. Myself and many of my fellow working millennials are just not staying at jobs for the sake of staying anymore. We often pose a unique skill set like no other age groups and a high level of education. We are passionate. We are creative. We walk into new jobs with drive and ready to hit the ground running. Unfortunately, in recent years, these employers are not meeting us with the same energy….sometimes they don’t even meet us halfway.
In present times, employers are asking for a lot. They want advanced degrees and yield a long list of qualifications that are the new minimum. They have updated job descriptions but haven’t updated salaries, expanded benefits, improved working conditions or developed new ways for advancement all while at least trying to maintain a level of respect for their employees by providing access to mental health support and a work-life balance. Therefore we, the millennials, come in and do our thing for a few years and then we pivot. I don’t think you should change jobs like changing underwear because there is always the risk of presenting yourself as a red flag. But there is absolutely no harm in making a change after 3-5 years of course if you have stability in other areas including investments and retirement. The key is having a strong network and a very impressive work portfolio that highlights how much of an asset you have been to your job. A pivot can provide quick opportunity for growth and a great sense of fulfillment. I say go for it!
