During the pandemic, Lindsey Gamard, 38, left her job at a technology firm. Lindsey Garnard provided this image. When Lindsey Gamard, 38, noticed that many of her coworkers were leaving, she knew she wanted to leave. “It felt like being on a sinking ship,” Gamard, a data analyst from San Tan Valley, Arizona, said. It didn’t help that her employer, a tech firm, insisted on all employees returning to work at least three days a week in May. As a result, Gamard, who saw no room for advancement at her company, joined the millions of Americans who left during the pandemic. Fortunately, she was able to find a new job before giving her notice. Invest in You: Invest in You: Invest in You: Invest in You: Here’s what you should know before quitting your job. Here’s what adolescents should do with their summer employment money. Six psychological biases could be preventing you from accumulating wealth. “One of the major factors that influenced my decision was that the new job is primarily remote,” she explained. That implies she is free to come into the office whenever she likes, but only a few employees are obligated to do so on a regular basis. In what has been dubbed the “Great Resignation,” many more workers are expected to follow suit. According to a recent survey by career site Monster, 95 percent of workers are considering changing jobs, and 92 percent are willing to switch industries to find a new job. “The pandemic has given many of us the opportunity to rethink our lives, careers, and everything,” said Vicki Salemi, a Monster career specialist. In an ideal world, you wouldn’t quit your job before finding a new one. If you can’t take it any longer and want to resign without a new job lined up, Tejal Wagadia, a Chandler, Arizona-based career coach and recruiter, recommends having about six months’ worth of expenses saved up. In the last seven years, Wagadia claims to have assisted nearly 10,000 people in finding work. “People think it’ll take them a couple of weeks to find a job,” she said. “It is not going to happen. It will take several months.” That is why it is critical to have a strategy in place. Here are five things that career experts recommend you do in your job switch, as well as one that you should avoid. 1. Determine your desires. The most important thing to figure out is what kind of work you want to do, who you want to do it for, and how much you want to make, according to Salemi. “For people considering a career change, now is an excellent time,” Salemi said. “There are so many companies hiring and looking for transferable skills,” she explained, “that you don’t necessarily need experience in that specific job.” Create a list of target companies, including the type of company, type of job, company size, and revenue, once you’ve decided what you want to do, Wagadia advises. 2. Set up job alertskate sept2004 | E+ | Getty Imageskate sept2004 | E+ | Getty Images You can be notified when a new job is advertised by setting up job alerts on career websites. If you see a position that interests you, apply right away. Salemi stated, “Employers are ready to hire.” “If you see a job opening, apply as soon as possible.” 3. Make changes to your resume Wagadia advises that you change your resume every time you apply for a new job so that it meets the job description. “Read through everything they’ve listed line by line,” she said. If the list is long, focus on the top three to seven responsibilities and three to five abilities the organization is searching for. In an executive summary, underline your transferrable skills if you’re changing careers. 4. Establish a network Getty Images | Luis Alvarez | DigitalVision Make contact with people you know who work in the industry or firm you want to join. “You’re looking for the appropriate fit,” Salemi explained, “not just for the work but for the company’s principles, what they stand for, and what their benefits are like.” LinkedIn is a useful tool for determining whether or not you know anyone at a company. Simply browse to the company’s page to see what connections are available. 5. Describe a void. You don’t have to worry about a gap in your resume if you quit your job to hunt for another one. “Gaps aren’t as important as they used to be,” she explained. “Anything goes right now in the pandemic.” Prepare to answer inquiries regarding why you left your previous work, such as a desire to devote 100 percent of your attention to one task “”Look for.” ‘This is why I’m so interested in your role,’ pivot and flow the conversation into something like, “Salemi explained. “Exhibit your passion and enthusiasm.” 6. Do not accept second best. Don’t settle for your future job, no matter how much you want to get out of your current one. Before you go into an interview, be sure you know how much you’re worth. “Right now, it’s a job seeker’s market,” Salemi remarked. “Keep in mind that you’re interviewing them just as much as they’re interviewing you.” During a group virtual interview, get a sense of the atmosphere and see if you and your possible boss get along. Remember that you have the option to respectfully withdraw your application or decline a job offer if it does not appear to be a good fit. SUBSCRIBE: Money 101 is an 8-week financial literacy education sent weekly to your mailbox. REMEMBER TO CHECK OUT: According to an anthropologist, sociologist, and philosopher, money doesn’t make you middle class; here’s what does. CNBC+Acorns=Growth NBCUniversal and Comcast Ventures are both Acorns investors./nRead More