|
 |
 |
|
|
|
Leaving Your Job
|
I Want to Quit... But Why?
Thousands of people quit their jobs every year. Why? It's impossible to say for certain, but chances are alternatives exist before taking that last step. First, try to figure out what caused these feelings. Could it be your work environment? Have your ideals or goals changed? Is the job not what you envisioned? Here are a few suggestions to consider before saying: "I quit."
A) Signs And Possible Solutions
Could the Grass be Greener on the Other Side?
Signs:
- You have stopped learning or are getting stale
- Bored / unchallenged
- Job offers little personal growth
Solutions: You may be stuck in a rut that is easily remedied. Volunteer to take on extra duties or ask for more responsibility. If denied, don't panic; instead, try volunteering elsewhere on your free time.
Maybe you're one of the many suffering repetition burnout. Is there a cure? While you may not be able to change the tasks, there are a few things you can try to keep your job fresh. Here are a few suggestions:
- Take a course that would be fun or helpful to your career
- Take an early or late lunch to miss the crowds
- Take a walk, a sauna, or a nap instead of lunch
- Try changing your shift
- If in a large company, ask to change departments/crews/teams
I Have to do This?
Signs:
- You are overwhelmed by the day-to-day tasks of the job
- Boss seems unrealistic or over-demanding
- You are not doing what you were hired to do
Solutions: Take a deep breath and look at the bigger picture. Maybe your boss doesn't hate you; it could be the opposite. She may love your work and gives you extra because she thinks you can handle it.
If the load is causing turmoil in your life, consider a talk with your boss. Determine priority projects and establish a timeline acceptable to you both. Or, try and explore why you are receiving work you're not qualified to complete properly. Maybe ask your boss for additional training or seek the training yourself because you know where your weaknesses lie.
Sometimes people are hired for a position going through changes and you are given work that's not what you were originally hired to do. If this is the case, be proactive. Meeting with your boss and go over the duties and projects that were expected of you when first hired. Chances are, if you are on good terms with your boss and are a valuable employee to the company, he will want to keep you on, and will work to better accommodate your needs.
Can't Find Anything Positive About the Job?
Signs:
- You resent your boss and/or colleagues
- You can't stand your working hours
- The thought "I hate my job" constantly replays in your mind
- You dread going to work
- You are often late or just don't go in
Solutions: Grab a pen and paper. Now make two columns: likes and dislikes. Start jotting and be specific. Don't write: "I hate my boss." Write: "I hate it when my boss takes credit for work I've done," or "it makes me uncomfortable when my boss criticizes me in public." Once you've exhausted your dislikes (if possible!) trecord things you enjoy about your job. Again, be specific; don't leave the column blank, this will not help. Whether it is your co-workers, a client, or a flexible work schedule, there has to be something that keeps you going.
Finished... Now What?
Do some analyzing. Look over your dislikes carefully. Can anything be easily rectified by confronting the problem, or are you looking at a job or career change?
B) Is it the Job or Career You Can't Stand?
This is a tough question. You need to evaluate the company, co-workers, and the work you are doing.
Reasons to consider a new job
1) Maybe the company's culture and values are not right for you. If the company is unethical, and you are an ethical person - this is not a good match.
2) The company appears to be going out of business.
3) The relationship with your boss / co-workers is permanently damaged.
4) You are so stressed your health is at risk.
5) Co-worker's take credit for your work.
6) A co-worker or supervisor is making life unbearable.
If this sounds familiar, then it might be the job, not the career. Sometimes there is nothing you can do to help the company, just help yourself by getting out while you can.
Reasons to consider a new career
1) You know what you want out of work and are not finding it along your current path.
2) Your life circumstances have changed and your current career path may never meet your needs.
A career is not something you often fall into, but something you work at over time - hence the term career path. You may not love your current job, but you likely will have to "pay your dues" to get to where you want to go. For example, if you want to be the marketing director of a company - you will NOT start there. Most likely you will start at an entry-level job, or close to it, and work your way up.
|
|
|
|
