What To Do If You Hate Your Job
Job dissatisfaction has become a common phenomenon among employees in the 21st century, we now hear expressions such as “I hate being in that office” and “this job doesn’t fulfill me anymore” quite often among workers. The ‘I hate my job’ situation occurs when job dissatisfaction gets extreme to the point of outright resentment towards your current job; perhaps due to your job description, the attitude of co-workers, or the working environment in general.
For instance, a polished advertised role may in reality be very exhausting or less interesting as portrayed. Or even, a well-branded firm might end up being less classy than first thought. Realizations of this nature will surely have a negative effect on your enthusiasm, performance, and even your mental well-being if not properly managed.
Although job hatred is very prevalent now our days, handling it is always difficult. Below is a sequence of things you could do if you hate your current job.
- Identify What Exactly You Dislike About Your Job.
It is paramount to first think about what exactly you dislike about the job, is it an impending task, your colleague’s attitude, the workplace culture, the management style, or the working environment. Bringing down where your emotions of dissatisfaction are coming from is the only way to determine if these issues can be addressed, or whether it is time to consider a change of employer or career.
You can write out a list of things you like and dislike about the current job. This will help you identify not just the sources of your disaffection, but also highlight the parts of your job that you enjoy.
- Figure Out Ways To Improve Your Happiness In The Short-run.
The unavailability of jobs makes the luxury of leaving one job for another a very rare one. Sometimes, financial and contractual obligations can tie you down in a particular job longer than you would want. Therefore, your immediate focus should be on improving happiness in the short term by preoccupying yourself with parts of your job that you like. These could be a specific task, attending weekly meetings, or having lunch with colleagues.
- Talk About Your Worries With Your Boss.
Keeping your disaffection to yourself will only mean feelings of increased resentment with no solution in sight. It is therefore important to bring forth any issues or concerns you may have with a management staff that you trust. This may not necessarily be your immediate superior, as it depends on where exactly your source of disaffection lies. It may be another senior manager, the Human Resource department, or perhaps the company’s director.
Talking about your concerns with the right person in a safe and private space is one way to see if they can address the issues to make working life happier for you.
- Explore Internal Transfer Opportunities Within Your Firm.
If you identify that your source of job discontentment is coming from feelings of repetition, lack new of challenges, or that tasks you initially found interesting have become mundane, consider a secondment option.
This will enable you to remain with your current employer while experiencing a new working environment, new clients, colleagues, and even, new responsibilities. It could be the new challenge and change you need at that time.
The internal transfer should be a good option if you have been working your way up the ladder in an organization for a while. And though dissatisfied with your current role, you do not desire to leave the current organization and the professional and personal relationship you have built.
- Remake Your Curricula vitae and Linkedin Profile.
If at a point you feel you may soon start looking for a new job, it is imperative to start updating your CV; capturing recent responsibilities, achievements, and experiences that are career projecting. This is so because most times people let their self-marketing materials become out of date once they secure a job.
Take into cognizance that you are advertising yourself to potential employers, so be confident and unafraid to sell your skills and attributes. You may perhaps be feeling undervalued or lethargic in your current role, but you have a variety of skills that will be great assets to a new firm.
- Consult a Career Counselor.
Career counselors will help you identify your strength and personality traits that can project a career path that best suits you. Sometimes all you need in an “I hate my job” situation is advice and guidance that can point out practicable solutions. Career counselors can also aid in job searching, since they have a wide knowledge of different careers, and can refer or connect you to a potential employer.
- Be Bold to Make Changes.
Being in a particular job or industry for a long time could create a sense of attachment that will make leaving very difficult even when unhappy. You should be unafraid to consider making a change that will improve your happiness.
Most people lack the courage to take what may initially appear as a step backward by retraining or changing the sector. But considering your long-term satisfaction and fulfillment, navigating through jobs or industries will hopefully be satisfying. Learning new skills to broaden your offering, take a shot at a promotion or turn a hobby into an income stream can also brighten your chances while navigating.
- Search for New Job.
Even if you have not fully made up your mind regarding your path forward, looking at other job opportunities will give you an idea of available alternatives. It may be the bedrock you need to make positive change.
It is important to remain on your current job while searching, and let the search be confidential so that current employers and coworkers don’t find out before you are ready for them to know. Search in your own time and make sure your current employer will not be contacted if you express interest in a particular job.
- Respectfully Resign From Your Job.
Once it remains unlikely for you to reconcile your differences with your current role, it may be time to resign. You will need to inform your employer of your decision, state your reasons and give your notice period. Don’t forget to thank your employer for the valuable experience you have had while holding sway in your role.
Conclusively, if your hatred for your current job persists, it is important to identify the causes and attempt to rectify them in a professional and considerate manner. If it cannot be addressed, do not be afraid to leave. Maintain professional integrity throughout the process and move onwards to a new role that will bring out the best in you