November 21, 2015

I Hate My Job! Now What?

I have helped more than 900 clients with career coaching, interview preparation, LinkedIn Profile building and usage training, and have authored thousands of resumes for every profession imaginable.
 
My best guess is that, over these past 12 years, almost half of my clients are (reasonably) sure they dislike their job and “…need a new gig.” - The movie, Tin Cup.
 
I understand, but let’s dissect your unhappiness for a moment to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen again. Is that a good place to start?

 What, specifically, is it that makes you “hate” your job?

• ​​My boss. Why? Micromanager; doesn’t appreciate me; goes over my head; doesn’t really like my results; totally different personalities – we clash, et al. (#1 reason – 2013 study by Dale Carnegie Training)
• The location. Why? I have a 90+ minute commute each way with no way to beat the traffic. I take it out on my family when I return. If they were closer you would be “happy?” No. Okay. Yes, (hm-m, perhaps working from home a few days a week; flex time, if allowed?)
• The company. Why? The culture, the cliques, the management style, they’re losing money, they’re always laying people off/releasing them….
• The industry. Why? Haven’t you been watching The News? This industry is in the toilet with no signs of returning in a few years unless there’s some catastrophic event somewhere in the world, or a totally different crew in D.C.
• I don’t feel valued there. You, or your work? Both…I don’t know.
• I’m underpaid. How do you know? I verified three websites with job title, industry and zip code. Okay.
• I’ve hit the “glass ceiling” and there’s no room for promotion. Are you open for relocation? No. Okay. Yes. Perhaps a greater position in another city…is that possible?
• I’m just flat tired of doing what I’m doing. Is it the job, the industry, the company, your boss (full circle?)

 
…and the list could go on, but if that’s the way that you feel, then that needs repair. Unhappy employees endanger, and could cost, both the employee AND the company. Can YOU repair any of these items? – And there are more top reasons to add to these! My clients generally only mention one, or two as priority items for “hating” their jobs. There could be more beneath those, but they are all “real” and important to the client.

What WOULD make you happy with your work again, or are you just tired of being employed?

This response could go to every direction, or perhaps this person has zeroed-in on exactly what would make them continue employment with a great(er) degree of job satisfaction.
 
As a certified, professional career coach, I need to dig as deeply as possible into these areas, otherwise I could well be contributing to another career crisis on my client’s horizon. That is unacceptable. I suppose that my first thought is that “you are not alone with your feelings of job dissatisfaction. It happens a lot and who knows about the people out there that I never see?!” I can help you get on track, but first, let's find "the track!"
 
That said, let’s review your credentials, e.g. education, portable skills and achievements, age, wants/needs/hopes/dreams and see if a “yellow brick road” arises. Very often it does and sometimes several. Now, let’s see what is needed to get onto that path – research, a resume masterpiece, prospects, interviewing training, resurrecting your network...
 
It’s easy to blame, but it takes fortitude, guts, and vision to take that next step and make it a great choice. I believe that I can motivate most, but motivation doesn’t last long without positive feedback and results and I/we do not communicate with our clients every hour, or every day.

The good news!

The good news is that professional assistance is out there – some of it is great while some of it isn’t. It’s like so many other subjects that have to do with our personal and professional well-being. Suffering through it alone requires a virtual miracle for things to turnaround. Perhaps you have that mentor, that worldly, experienced person for a sounding-board and advice? Hopefully, more than one.
 
One’s career has such a dramatic affect over you, your family, your finances, your/their future, it’s no wonder people have such a concern, but are you willing to work hard to get to that next spot, that “career position?” Despite the national economy and whatever condition you believe it sits, jobs are out there. That said, for me “job,” or J.O.B. means Just Over Broke, Just Over Boredom, Just Outta Bounds. A career position is one where you feel challenged, paid fairly for your results, managed well with a company and industry with a future, where your ideas are evaluated, where you’re free to take risks, and so on. They are out there too, but you have to identify a/some target(s) and work hard to go after it. The good news – most people (your competition) will not put forth the effort.  How about you? I may be the client’s coach, but I’m really their partner in this.
 
“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” – Mark Twain