In fact, as a generally cautious person, it’s radical stuff.
But even at my most radical, I’m not reckless. I have a family to feed, a mortgage to pay, and a financial plan that requires income.
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.
If you’re 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.
Take a breath
Big life decisions don’t always align with economic cycles, and resignations aren’t always purely financial decisions but nevertheless the economy determines the kind of job market you’re walking into.
David Lacire, Senior Director at Robert Walters NZ, says, “I understand the temptation to walk away when a role isn’t working” but advises against emotional reactions, warning “right now, the market is far less forgiving than previous years”.
Start talking
When you’ve worked somewhere for some time, it’s possible you haven’t exactly been out networking and drumming up other job offers.
Lacire suggests, “Take the time to line up conversations, test your value in the market, and make sure the move is proactive rather than reactive”.
I surprised myself by enjoying those conversations. Some came my way, others I initiated. Some led to work, others didn’t but none were a waste of time.
Often, it’s obvious that people are ready to move on because they suddenly get enthusiastic about LinkedIn, and posting humblebrags. I wondered, “Ugh, do I have to add the ‘open to work’ banner to my profile?”
Lacire says I shouldn’t underestimate the power of LinkedIn. The banner can be a double-edged sword, however. “In 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’re moving towards, not just that you’re available.”
So friends, I’m working in the business I run with my husband – the award-winning Wabi Sabi Media Group (humblebrag, tick) and we’ll have new projects to tell you about soon, but also get in touch!
Run your numbers
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’t cut it – her life cost more than that. Another client’s partner took a role in another region, and the cost of travel and running two households meant they’d be going backwards every week.
It sounds obvious to say “Calculate what your life actually costs – and what your after-tax, after-KiwiSaver, after-student-loan income would be”. But employment is often tied up with self-worth, self-image, your dreams – and it can be overlooked.
Work out your runway
If you’re eschewing the security blanket of a salaried role, it’s crucial to know exactly how long you could survive on your existing resources.
During my maternity leave, I ran a spreadsheet which tracked how many weeks or months our savings would last if we didn’t 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.
Consider the psychology
Numbers are only part of the story – a job can bring community, structure and accountability.
David Lacire says, “If you’re 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.”
Evaluate work benefits
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’d 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.
Check your insurances
If you’re 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’re 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.
Arguably, there are “safer” choices than resigning when the economy isn’t exactly booming.
But security can be found in preparation, and growth isn’t found in stagnation.
So if you’re considering a new horizon, start conversations, run your numbers, understand your runway, prepare yourself mentally – and know your worth.
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