By Chere B. Estrin
When contemplating the idea of leaving your current job, it’s essential to meticulously weigh your timing, as it can be just as crucial as the reasons behind your departure. The current job market is robust, affording you the luxury of not having to tolerate an unhealthy firm culture or subpar leadership. Instead, you can explore a plethora of enticing opportunities that offer rapid career advancement and greater professional accomplishments.
However, the key is to select the optimal moment to tender your resignation, taking into account various factors. A strategic departure plan ensures you preserve your credibility, integrity, and professional relationships, preventing any bridges from being incinerated in the process. Moreover, impeccable timing is instrumental in securing a smooth transition to your next role without compromising your financial and emotional well-being. The present moment presents a wealth of opportunities, thanks to the tight job market. According to data provided by Employ Inc., 81% of hiring leaders are grappling with the challenge of filling vacant positions. Additionally, statistics from Revelio Labs indicate that 70% of individuals who have recently left their jobs have successfully secured new employment within three months.
Nevertheless, as the landscape brims with potential, it’s equally important to exercise prudence and not leap hastily into the wrong opportunity. Guard against making a decision you might later regret. Astonishingly, a significant proportion of those who have parted ways with their jobs—fully 72%—admitted to regretting their choice, as revealed by a survey conducted by Monster. Furthermore, individuals often find their new roles falling short of their expectations, with 72% expressing disappointment, as indicated by data from The Muse.
The initial step in contemplating a resignation is to ensure you are in a calm and composed state when making the decision and delivering your notice. Acting on impulse, anger, or in the heat of a challenging moment is unlikely to result in the best outcome.
Consider your options. Scan the job boards, LinkedIn, your network, and other resources to determine if there is a better opportunity for you. Talk things over with a reputable recruiter (like Estrin Legal Staffing!). Sometimes, it’s best to stay and just refigure your situation. At the same time, leaving is a huge move. While it can be exciting, it can also be stressful. Timing is everything. If you can recraft your job, move into a different specialty or up the ladder at your present firm, that may solve your problems. Whatever you do, move cautiously and, never quit your job without having another to go to. That, my friends, is a sure career buster.
About the Author
Chere Estrin has over 20 years of experience in the staffing arena, including executive positions in law firms, litigation support companies, and the legal staffing divisions of a $5billion publicly held corporation. She is CEO of Estrin Legal Staffing, a nationwide staffing organization. Ms. Estrin was founder of the Paralegal Knowledge Institute, an online CLE organization. She publishes the prestigious digital magazine, KNOW, the Magazine for Paralegals, and is the former Editor-in-Chief of Sue, the Magazine for Women Litigators. She is also the author of 10 books about legal careers for attorneys and legal professionals.
Ms. Estrin’s contributions to the legal industry have been significant, and she continues to play an active role in shaping the future of legal staffing and training. She writes the popular,
award-winning blog, The Estrin Report, and has been interviewed by CBS News along with many top publications, such as The Wall Street Journal, Fortune Magazine, Forbes.com, Los Angeles Times, Entrepreneur Magazine, Newsweek, The Chicago Tribune, The Daily Journal, ABA Journal, Above the Law, ALM, Law360 and many others. She has also been a speaker for many prestigious organizations and written hundreds of articles.
As the Co-Founding Member and President of the Organization of Legal Professionals (OLP), Ms. Estrin has guided the association’s development and implementation of the eDiscovery and Litigation Support certification exams (first in the country) along with Pearson Publications, a $7 billion corporation specializing in certification exams and educational publishing. She was also the Education Director designing, creating and executing online, live training programs with an on-call roster of over 500 instructors throughout the world. Currently, she provides webinars on legal career matters for LawPractice and Lawline, two of the largest attorney CLE online training organizations.
Ms. Estrin is a co-founding member of the International Practice Management Association (IPMA) and the Organization of Legal Professionals, composed of a prestigious Board of Governors inclusive of judges, an ABA President, and well-known attorneys. She is the recipient of the Los Angeles/Century City “Women of Achievement” award and recognized as One of the Top 50 Women in Los Angeles. Ms. Estrin has been writing The Estrin Report since 2005 and most recently launched her podcast, “Lawfully Employed”.
Reach out at: chere@estrinlegalstaffing.com or visit her website at www.EstrinLegalStaffing.com.