I came across the term quiet quitting recently and loved it. Haven’t we all, at one point or another in our lives, thought about “hmmm… yeah, ok, you pay me to work but I to work to live, not live to work”?
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(Photo by Jason Goodman on Unsplash)
So, what is quiet quitting? The Wall Street Journal defines it as not taking your job too seriously (full article here). It is a term meant for gen-Z, but I am a gen-X and my dad is a Boomer and I know he has done the quiet quitting thing at work, for sure. It’s not new, it just has a name now.
I think that, in the back of our minds, our reasoning goes like this: I like this job, but am I worth what I’m getting paid or am I worth more? Is my time sitting here worth the paycheck at the end of the month? And then we unconsciously decide whether yes or no and start quiet quitting. But is this going to make us start looking for a new job?
When do we decide that it’s time to start looking for a change? I like to call it a cycle change. It’s when you figure out that your cycle, the time being there, is over, and it’s time to move on. You mentally start offboarding at your current job while looking for the new one.
If you’ve realized you’re there at the end of a cycle and it’s time to move on, here are some possible next steps to help you out:
1. Make a list. Like at Christmas, make a list and check it twice of the things you are looking for in your next adventure (or job). It’s easier to make a list of the things we don’t want, but guess what the first HR interviewer is going to ask? Yes, that’s right: what are you looking for in this next adventure?
2. Plan your exit strategy. While your brain has turned on the quiet quitting button, remember you are still employed there and it’s always a good idea to leave on good terms. You don’t have to go above and beyond, but be nice to people, wrap up your work, be true to your professional style and keep those bridges up. We never know where we’re going to be in 10 years. Build bridges, don’t burn them, even on your way out.
3. Review your résumé. Take the time to review your one-time presentation card. If your résumé is not a true reflection of yourself as a professional, it’s like showing up to an interview in sneakers and a wrinkled t-shirt. Be your best, even on paper.
(Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash)