In fact, as a generally cautious person, it\u2019s radical stuff. <\/p>\n
But even at my most radical, I\u2019m not reckless. I have a family to feed, a mortgage to pay, and a financial plan that requires income. <\/p>\n
There was much to consider. Funding our lives, of course. But also career progression, upskilling in the age of AI, weighing self-employment against salaried work, rebuilding my professional confidence after having children, and figuring out what works while raising two small boys. <\/p>\n
If you\u2019re considering throwing in the towel, here are a few things I worked through, a few things I should have considered more carefully, and what a recruitment expert recommends. <\/p>\n
Take a breath <\/p>\n
Big life decisions don\u2019t always align with economic cycles, and resignations aren\u2019t always purely financial decisions but nevertheless the economy determines the kind of job market you\u2019re walking into. <\/p>\n
David Lacire, Senior Director at Robert Walters NZ, says, \u201cI understand the temptation to walk away when a role isn\u2019t working\u201d but advises against emotional reactions, warning \u201cright now, the market is far less forgiving than previous years\u201d. <\/p>\n
Start talking <\/p>\n
When you\u2019ve worked somewhere for some time, it\u2019s possible you haven\u2019t exactly been out networking and drumming up other job offers. <\/p>\n
Lacire suggests, \u201cTake the time to line up conversations, test your value in the market, and make sure the move is proactive rather than reactive\u201d. <\/p>\n
I surprised myself by enjoying those conversations. Some came my way, others I initiated. Some led to work, others didn\u2019t but none were a waste of time. <\/p>\n
Often, it\u2019s obvious that people are ready to move on because they suddenly get enthusiastic about LinkedIn, and posting humblebrags. I wondered, \u201cUgh, do I have to add the \u2018open to work\u2019 banner to my profile?\u201d <\/p>\n
Lacire says I shouldn\u2019t underestimate the power of LinkedIn. The banner can be a double-edged sword, however. \u201cIn some sectors, being visibly open can create urgency and opportunity. In others, it can unintentionally signal distress. Control the story – be deliberate about what you\u2019re moving towards, not just that you\u2019re available.\u201d <\/p>\n
So friends, I\u2019m working in the business I run with my husband \u2013 the award-winning Wabi Sabi Media Group (humblebrag, tick) and we\u2019ll have new projects to tell you about soon, but also get in touch! <\/p>\n
Run your numbers <\/p>\n
A client once sat in my office, telling me about a fantastic new job offer, and I had to prick her bubble and tell her that the remuneration wouldn\u2019t cut it \u2013 her life cost more than that. Another client\u2019s partner took a role in another region, and the cost of travel and running two households meant they\u2019d be going backwards every week. <\/p>\n
It sounds obvious to say \u201cCalculate what your life actually costs – and what your after-tax, after-KiwiSaver, after-student-loan income would be\u201d. But employment is often tied up with self-worth, self-image, your dreams \u2013 and it can be overlooked. <\/p>\n
Work out your runway<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re eschewing the security blanket of a salaried role, it\u2019s crucial to know exactly how long you could survive on your existing resources. <\/p>\n
During my maternity leave, I ran a spreadsheet which tracked how many weeks or months our savings would last if we didn\u2019t earn another dollar, and it gave me peace of mind. I add in one-off costs and then factor in income so it can be adapted to this situation, too. <\/p>\n
Consider the psychology<\/p>\n
Numbers are only part of the story \u2013 a job can bring community, structure and accountability. <\/p>\n
David Lacire says, \u201cIf you\u2019re leaving without another role secured, you need a clear routine, a support network, and realistic expectations around timelines. The search can take longer than expected, and that can influence the types of roles people eventually accept.\u201d <\/p>\n
Evaluate work benefits <\/p>\n
When running my numbers, I factored in KiwiSaver, given I will now fund both the employer and the employee contributions. I also knew that I\u2019d lose some employee benefits, but I underestimated the impact. For example, I was part of a workplace health insurance scheme, so I figured my premiums would rise on exiting. I was not prepared for that rise to be 82%! So, the What does my life cost spreadsheet needed updating. <\/p>\n
Check your insurances <\/p>\n
If you\u2019re moving from a salaried role to self-employment, you need to check whether your insurer will continue to offer income protection. Without an established earning history, they may not, or, if you have fixed-term contracts in place, they may opt to continue some level of cover. It may also depend on the industry you\u2019re moving into. Income protection can be expensive but, given how much rides on earning an income, knowing whether you can be insured or not is important. <\/p>\n
Arguably, there are \u201csafer\u201d choices than resigning when the economy isn\u2019t exactly booming. <\/p>\n
But security can be found in preparation, and growth isn\u2019t found in stagnation. <\/p>\n
So if you\u2019re considering a new horizon, start conversations, run your numbers, understand your runway, prepare yourself mentally – and know your worth. <\/p>\n