Keeping A Job You Hate
This is a painful issue always. But especially now. Times are tough. People are terrified about losing their jobs and not being able to find another one. So they’re hanging on to what they’ve got, whether or not they’re miserable.
But hating your job is awful and feels even awfuler in these last dwindling days of August, when it seems everyone is on vacation or otherwise enjoying life. Even President Obama.
Not so long ago, you may have been advised to just dump that job you hate and find another. No longer. Now we are back to this old-fashioned, but sterling, advice:
Don’t quit a job until you’ve nailed down a new one.
Yes, yes, WG knows. It feels impossible to find a job these days. And it’s certainly true that it’ll probably take you longer now than when times were good. The last time the economy tanked and WG hated her job, it took her two full years to find another one. Ugh.
So here are a few words of wisdom on hating yet keeping, for now, your job (this ain’t rocket science but when you’re miserable you sometimes forget the obvious):
- Identify three things you like about the job. Come on, there must be something. Focus, hard, on those things.
- Before going into work, do something to elevate your mood. Like exercising, eating a good breakfast, meditating.
- After hours, vent that stress away. Healthily. Such as, um, exercising… and also spending time with an upbeat friend, working on your favorite hobby, planning your next trip, etc.
And This Is The Most Important Thing: Every day–every single blessed day–do something that brings you closer to getting a new, better job. Network. Take classes. Save money. Read career books. Cultivate your mentor(s). Do Gina Maddox’s very cool “Bare Bones Reason I Was Born” exercise.
Doing something, even a small thing, will make you feel more in control of your fate. Also happier. Guaranteed.
SUBSCRIBE
This is great advice not just for a time when it is hard to find a job you might like better than your present one, but also for positively dealing with all the situations in life that try to drag you down. Gina’s thoughts are very helpful – whether you are born to be something or you are evolving to something new, this will help focus you.
Thanks, WG!
I love this article. The last time I really hated a job, I joined a brand, spanking new gym right down the street from work. I got rid of most) of the stress and looked great. But it still took me almost a year and half before I could leave.
That was one tough job.
Karen, I saw your workshop at the PNWA conference and am now following your blog. You are inspiring! My husband HATES his job, and I will share this entry with him. Thanks!
[...] From Working Girl: Keeping A Job You Hate “Not so long ago, you may have been advised to just dump that job you hate and find another. No longer. Now we are back to this old-fashioned, but sterling, advice: Don’t quit a job until you’ve nailed down a new one.” [...]
[...] From Working Girl: Keeping A Job You Hate “Not so long ago, you may have been advised to just dump that job you hate and find another. No longer. Now we are back to this old-fashioned, but sterling, advice: Don’t quit a job until you’ve nailed down a new one.” [...]
In your list of job interview do and don’ts, the last one was do not forget to ask for the job. How is that done? Is it at the end when they are shaking your hand and they are thanking you for coming in or in the middle when there is a awkward moment of silence. Have any suggestions. Hope to be interviewing soon and found your article informative and helpful.
Thank you for your inspiring and very informative and intellectual findings for the ” 50 of the worst and most common job interview mistakes”. I have learned a lot and hopefully I would try to avoid some of them, thank you. Also, the “7 things never to say to your Boss” tips. I think these are very essential to maintaining the boss-employee relationship. Thank you for the added learning. I have a question? What if you are overworked and under paid, is it appropriate to ask for a raise? I’m just curious. Thank you very much and may God bless you. Hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks for teaching us just how to be a schlepp. As if the big man needed any help bending us over. Working hard is an ethic.
3/18/2010: In response to what not to say to your Boss, I agree with most but not the ending statement. I am 58 and I have been working since I was 20. I have found When In Doubt. ASK it sometimes takes a little humility to do, but the response is always good. You make your boss feel needed, important, educated and that you care about the quality of work you do for the company. Asking is better than embarrassment later, or repremand, because you went onward in doubt. :}
Whay my boss shouldn’t say to me??
As I was handed a written reprimand ( which I was not allowed to respond to…or access the allegations by someone who had said he would ‘get’me. )
YOU HAVE A BITCH TONE OF VOICE.
Not very professional
A in Illinois
I like the article about the bosses to realize that when to not able to do your job to find out what the problem is not to let your employee go but you should help them so they can do a better job.
have you ever been an employer
First, let me say that I am a young and vigorous 63 years old. Being within 2 years of “legal” retirement age puts a different spin on keeping a job you hate. I have been in my present job for 6 years and have done everything from administrative asst. work to interim CEO for a year. When the new CEO was chosen (I actually HIRED this guy), he “promoted” me to a job I did not want and do not feel qualified to do. I have looked very hard for other employment, but no matter what my qualifications, I cannot get past the age barrier. (I know that’s not supposed to be legal…but there are ways around it. For instance, they tell me I’m overqualified!) Anyway, I now have a job that I hate and that I am not good at. In all my 45 years in the workplace, I have never been reprimanded. However, since I have had my new boss, I have received two written reprimands for “attitude.” On the last one, he said, “I’m going to cure this problem, even if it means firing you.” Sometimes, there is no cure but to wait it out. The boss is always right.