Hate Your Job? Five Steps Towards Positive Change in Your Career
Does the thought ‘‘I hate my job!’’ ever cross your mind? Do you ever feel the urge to quit? Here are a few things to do when you are unsatisfied at work. Photos: stock images.
Have you put your happiness on hold for the sake of a job that makes you miserable? Job satisfaction has been found to have a significant impact on life satisfaction overall. Considering how many hours are spent at work, you deserve a job that makes you happy.
Common Reasons People Hate Their Job:
- Low salary or not enough benefits
- Stressful work environment
- Lack of appreciation or recognition
- Limited professional growth
You may be facing other challenges at work such as a long commute, poor communication, bad working hours, your boss’s management style or work tasks that don’t match the job description.
“Oh, you hate your job? Why didn’t you say so? There’s a support group for that. It’s called everybody, and they meet at the bar.”
– Comedian Drew Carey
Job Satisfaction Affects Your Health
Being unsatisfied with your job can become depressing and lead to health problems caused by chronic stress. If work is waging its toll on your physical and mental health then it is important to address these issues as soon as possible to prevent future health problems.
If you hate your job, you may suffer from issues such as:
- Trouble sleeping
- Stomach or chest pains
- Head and muscle aches
- Anxiety
- Weight loss or gain
- Weakened immune system
Being unsatisfied with your job can become depressing and lead to health problems caused by chronic stress.
What To Do When You Hate Your Job
Here are a few helpful ways to reduce stress and improve your situation based on a comprehensive study made by the public research University of Massachusetts Lowell.
#1 – IDENTIFY THE DEEPER ISSUES
Sometimes it is not your job that you hate but the nature of your work. Often people who are unhappy with their job hastily change their job only to find themselves in an equally unhappy situation. Determining the issue will save you from making a bad career move and will direct you to better solutions.
Maybe you feel unfulfilled in your role, underappreciated or overworked. Take time to reflect and think about what aspect of your position is bothering you. Neglecting these issues will eventually cause a build-up of stress that can result in burnout.
#2 – NEGOTIATE A JOB REDESIGN OR TRANSFER
You may want to talk to your boss about changing your current workload or job content. A conversation like this can provide a great start to something new. Try to develop a solution that not only works for you, but also for your boss and your company.
Look at all aspects of your job, including its tasks, duties and responsibilities, then think of making changes that will ensure long-lasting motivation and engagement. A job redesign has significant advantages – it can help you find the right fit for you, foster a sense of belonging and to improve your quality of life.
If there’s no room for change in your position, check if your company has any positions available in another department or team. It will be easier to continue working for a company you are familiar with than starting all over from scratch. It is also better for your company as they won’t lose an experienced employee simply over a bad hire.
#3 – BUILD GOOD CONNECTIONS
If you’re planning to stay in your company, invest in existing relations. Find more opportunities to collaborate with the people you already know you enjoy working with. Especially if you worked well with specific colleagues before, you might want to ask for their help again. It is possible that you have a good working relationship with some suppliers or customers externally. Take an active role in developing and cultivating these relationships that make your work pleasant.
Networking is a productive thing to do when you’re thinking of jumping ship. Establish new connections that can help you land your next job.
#4 – IMPROVE WELL-BEING OUTSIDE OF WORK
You may feel resentment towards your job because it is holding you back from doing the things you love. Cultivate a work-life balance by scheduling time for energizing activities and time to rest. Improve your well-being by getting enough sleep, eating well and following a healthy morning routine. Quality time with friends and family, volunteer work or a new hobby can also bring joy if you struggle to find fulfilment and meaning at work.
#5 – FIND A NEW JOB
If you’re ready to change careers, keep this advice from career expert Alison Doyle in mind. Prepare yourself for the job hunt by updating your resume and Linkedin profile. Be discreet about your job search and keep it private from your colleagues and employers until the time comes to let them know. When you are ready to move on, be sure to make your resignation graceful and give at least two weeks notice.
The initial steps to make a difference in your career are outlined in this article. Consider this as a starting point and apply the strategies that work best for you. Check out these extra tips to guarantee a successful job search!
Find new opportunities on Jobspin.cz where the latest multilingual jobs in the Czech Republic are posted. Join a job fair in Prague and Brno and meet future employers and work in an international company.
