Hate Your Job?
Top 10 Things to Do Right Now
I recently read an article indicating that about 1 out of 5 American workers is miserable at work. That’s 20% of all working Americans who loath their jobs. Imagine the impact on their health, families, financial well-being and ability to motivate themselves as well as others. We spend most of our time at work. It’s impossible to be inspired if every day you go to a workplace filled with dread.
Hating your job seems to be a very American thing.
Before you attempt to escape at any cost, I recommend sitting down and doing a thorough assessment of exactly what it is about your job that you hate. That should assist you in developing a viable go forward strategy that specifically addresses what is ailing you at work. There are many reasons why you could be miserable:
Do you still like your actual job responsibilities?
Are you bored?
Are you underpaid?
Haven’t received a raise or merit increase?
Do you have a bad leadership?
Is your organization poorly run?
Is your company experiencing financial problems?
Is your industry stressful?
Do you work in a hostile work environment?
Are you experiencing workplace bullying?
Do you have an abusive manager or coworker?
Is your actual work environment ugly, noisy or otherwise physically uncomfortable?
Do you accrue enough vacation time?
If you actually accrue vacation, do you take enough vacation every year?
Are you working too many hours including over the weekends?
Are you getting enough sleep?
Are you forced to work a shift that doesn’t work well for you?
Do you have a horrible commute?
Are you required to travel frequently which causes you to miss events in your personal life?
Once you have a good assessment of the reasons why you hate your job, the next step is to literally take a step back, to truly look at the whole situation. Many times, we have it better than we realize and don’t understand what we’d be giving up if we leave our current job. Because that’s the key – you will have to give up something to get something. There’s always a trade.
For example, you may be bored temporarily but have a great manager and a manageable commute. Why would you risk that? Or you may be working an early shift and required to go to work very early but know that after a year you can transfer pretty easily. Most people would say to hang in there until you are eligible to transfer. Above all, your first step should be to extend tenure with the same employer and look for ways to transfer internally instead of looking for a new job at a new employer.
If you are struggling with whether your job truly is horrible or if it’s a temporary stage, try the following:
- Get Some Perspective
You aren’t the only one. Go to a bar on a Sunday night. Either those people are unemployed, hair stylists who don’t have to work on Monday or people with Sunday night sleep anxiety. Yes, there’s a term for this syndrome. Sunday night insomnia is linked to your job.
- Watch Funny Movies about work
https://www.ranker.com/list/workplace-comedy-movies/ranker-film
- Get a Career Coach
A Career Coach will help you brainstorm and strategize about ways to enhance your career and not burn bridges.
- Determine If Your Job Fits Your Personality
Take a career assessment like the Strong Campbell. If you haven’t taken the Myers Briggs, now is the time. Assessments are fabulous tools for targeting what you love and work environments which will be potentially negative for you.
- Update Your Resume
Don’t wait until something catastrophic happens. Average job search time varies based on your age and it’s longer the older you are. If you are miserable at work and over 40, give yourself 6 months to a year. If you are an executive, it could take over a year. Why wait?
- Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile
Once again, proactive marketing of your skills using LinkedIn as your career website platform is strategic.
- Set Up Job Agents
Set them up for weekly email notification on jobs that match your criteria.
- Submit Your Resume to Top Agencies for Interim and Full Time Roles
Don’t forget the key interim contract agencies that provide talent for long term interim gigs for full time permanent hires at reputable organizations. Why wait to contact them until your job is at risk? Build relationships long before you need them.
- Get a Certification
If you are more bored than miserable, more education and credentialization may revive your spirits and career options.
- Take a Vacation
If you are exhausted, it’s hard to enjoy anything, let alone work.