2022 was one heck of a year.

This year alone, we’ve seen:

These concerns have led to issues with people’s financial stability, as well as their physical and mental health.

We’ve all been through a lot and it’s caused people to burn out. I’ve definitely felt stress from work and relationships that has emotionally and mentally drained me for a while.

But as tough as 2022 might have been, I’m not leaving my UX design job for a few reasons.

Job stability

Amidst the tightening labour market in tech, there is serious risk of losing your job. Many people have reported having offers rescinded or being laid off soon after starting a new job.

So I assessed my situation to understand how likely I would be laid off in my current role. Some questions that I asked include:

• Is the company profitable or in financial trouble?
• Is my team essential to the company’s growth?
• Is my role essential to the company’s growth?
• Do my managers have visibility into layoff plans?

Of course, anything can happen, but after answering these questions, I concluded that I might be safer staying at my current job than looking for a new one.

Career growth

Another reason why I’ve decided to stay at my job is career growth opportunities. Personally, I see room for myself to grow in my current organization.

When looking for a new job, think about what you want to gain from that experience.

Some career growth opportunities to look for in a job include:

Companies with high UX maturity will usually have a career path that outlines the levels of seniority and how to get there.

If there are roles in your company that you aspire to be in one day, and you feel challenged in your work, then it might be a good decision to stay in your job for a while longer.

Project work

I used to think that it would be cool to work on a product I use as a consumer, like Instagram or YouTube. Often among new designers, the idea of working at a “dream company” involves consumer-facing products that they’ve probably used themselves.

However, I somehow landed in the B2B world designing enterprise software. Although I don’t have a deep connection to data analytics or sales planning products, I’ve faced some challenging and interesting problems along the way.

When it comes to the project work, I believe that the product you work on doesn’t necessarily have to be exciting to you. As long as you are challenged by the problems and learning from the process, you will continue to grow as a designer.

If you absolutely hate the project you’re working on, before deciding to leave your company, look at other teams you could potentially transfer to internally.

Companies often have an internal career board as some managers prefer to hire existing employees first. If you like the company culture, but aren’t ready to leave yet, check their job postings and reach out to the hiring manager to see if you can arrange an interview with them.

People

One of the most valuable things you can gain from a job isn’t money; it’s knowledge.

Try to never be the smartest person in the room. And, if you are, I suggest you invite smarter people… or find a different room.

— Michael Dell, CEO of Dell Technologies

Look around your team and reflect on the people that you work with.

• Are there people you can learn from?
• Are there people you can mentor?
• Do these people inspire you?
• Do you generally enjoy working with my team?

Considering that you’ll be spending a third of your waking hours working with your team, it’s fair to think about the people when considering a new job.

Leadership

A great leader can make a big difference in career growth and work enjoyment.

Look for leadership roles in the design organization and get to know them a bit more. Learn about their leadership and management styles to see if you want to be working under them. Notice any potential red flags, such as prioritizing performance over mental health.

One of the reasons I changed jobs was to work under leaders that I found inspirational and supportive in my career and in my personal life.

Get to know your teammates

If you’re not connecting well with your teammates, try breaking down the boundaries.

It’s fair to not want to share your personal life with your coworkers, but I’ve found that opening up and enjoying a night out with my team has brought us closer and strengthened our collaboration.

Otherwise, it might not be a good fit for your working style or personality. Perhaps look for opportunities on a different team.

Work life balance

Life shouldn’t revolve around work.

Some people view a job as simply a way to fund your lifestyle. Life happens outside of work, so look for a job that allows you to live the lifestyle you want.

Remote working

Nowadays, remote working has taken over the tech industry. Many people will quit their current job or not consider a new job if it doesn’t offer the option to work remotely.

Ever since working remotely in 2020, I would not want to go back to working in an office full time. I enjoy seeing my teammates in-person once in a while to catch up, but have found that I’m more focused and productive in my home office.

I even have teammates that work from another country for a month without using their vacation days. Talk about perks.

If the job is on-site or hybrid, consider the commute time to get to the office. Commuting not only wastes our time sitting in traffic, but also takes away time we could be spending with our family, doing a hobby, or working on a side-hustle.

Flexible hours

Is the job flexible around working hours, in cases of emergencies or appointments?

I’ve worked on teams that follow an unspoken rule. Employees can take the time they need for appointments during the week, as long as they don’t fall behind or abuse their privileges.

On top of flexible hours during the week, my company ends work early on Fridays to allow for an earlier start to the weekend.

Simple things like flexible hours can massively improve your quality of life. No need to plan around your work hours or clock in at 9 AM sharp. Instead, work and life are integrated together.

Of course, it’s still good to set boundaries around work hours, especially if you work from a home office.

Benefits

It’s no secret that some tech companies offer generous benefits packages. Some of those benefits can include:

• Unlimited vacation time
• Work-from-home expense reimbursement (ie. internet bills, computer peripherals)
• Health credits for physical and mental health (ie. gym memberships, therapy, meditation apps)
• Education credits for additional learning (ie. online courses, Master’s degree)
• Extra time off (ie. birthdays, volunteering, company retreats)

Sometimes, these additional benefits can add up and outweigh a few extra dollars in base salary. Think about the benefits you would be leaving behind if you left your job and make sure to consider what other companies can provide for you.

Final thoughts

During a time of economic instability and uncertainty, I’m fortunate to have a job, let alone one that is fulfilling and supportive of my lifestyle.

Many people have been laid off and won’t know when their next paycheck will come, which puts a lot of pressure on them to continue providing for their families.

As I don’t believe my current job is at risk, I won’t be actively searching for new opportunities. Although, I plan to stay prepared to interview in case of unforeseen layoffs.

These past few years, I’ve become so focused on growing in my career that I might have lost touch with what really matters to me, like:

• building relationships with friends
• creating memories with loved ones
• trying new activities
• visiting new places

Work doesn’t have to give your life meaning, but a flexible job can contribute to a fulfilling and well-rounded life.

At the end of the day, you can still kick ass at your job, grow in your career, and have a great life outside of work. Work is just one part of your life, so try to make your life as enjoyable as possible.