My job is hell
1402
Dear Joan:
Your recent article, entitled "New Year, New Attitude" has decent information, but what if - and pardon me if I sound whiny - you work in hell. A few of the things I deal with are zero benefits (no health, no vacation, no sick days), irregularity of pay ("Will I get my check this Friday?"), and salary that is too low, with no raise or even a bonus in sight.
Not to mention, you get hounded by your boss for every minor and major issue, you've taken on extra responsibilities because a position in the tiny office was dissolved, you receive little to no training, AND (here's the cherry on top, folks) you're forced some days to stay past your shift (even 15 minutes is enough) working for someone you don't trust or like!
Now tell me I'm not in a tortuous condition! How in the world does one reconcile all these wrongs? Is it possible, especially when it seems like there's no light at the end of the tunnel, no employers banging on my door? I can't help but be miserable at work, miserable at home, miserable with family and with friends. All seems lost and hopeless. And while I'm not contemplating suicide, I have often contemplated running away from my problem. I know this is stupid, but I have contemplated! Hence, I have one word to sum it all up: HELP!
Answer:
I’ll pardon you for sounding “whiny,” if you’ll pardon me for asking, “What in the heck are you still doing there?” Are there no employers “pounding on your door” because you aren’t aggressively looking?
If you are that miserable, you need to get out as fast as you can. In a case like yours, it’s common to get so beaten down that you don’t have the energy or self-confidence to put together a job search. If you are that miserable, you won’t fix it by spending your personal time feeling miserable. If you don’t get moving, your performance and attitude could deteriorate to a level that will get you fired.
You will fix it by lighting a fire and setting a goal that you will be out in six months or less. Your mood will lift as soon as you begin to take charge of your own life—instead of feeling trapped.
If you have thrown up your hands and declared that there are no good jobs out there because of the economy, you are colluding with your own misery. Start taking some positive steps to change your situation.
For starters, look for a job-search support group in your area. For example, in the Milwaukee area, there is a 40+ job search network that holds regular meetings across the city, where people swap leads and help one another with their job hunting strategies. There are also job hunting groups in local churches, colleges and in government agencies. Check out the online community for blogs and websites that provide support and advice.
Put your resume together and ask people in your network to critique it. Start talking to friends and relatives about what you are looking for. Avoid the temptation to go on a rant about your job; it will only make you look bitter and prevent them from recommending you to people they know. Put your energy into your future.
Check out job boards and career pages on company websites. Learn about companies you might like to work for and then start asking your associates who they know in those companies. Go to local networking events (check the newspaper and professional organizations’ scheduled events), talk to people at social gatherings and tell them what you are looking for and ask them if they know anyone you could talk to.
Your goal is to get introductions to people who can provide advice about your job hunt; not to ask people for a job. Contrary to what you may think, the majority of new jobs are obtained through people you meet—not by sending out resumes to job postings.
So how are you going to do all of this while you are employed? Like everyone else who is motivated; evenings, days off (take a sick day if you have to) and weekends. The choice is yours: be even more miserable in six months, or be in a new job with a better future. And, oh, by the way, paste a smile on your face every day and do a good job in your current position. You’re going to need a good reference.
Do you need answers to tough job hunting questions? Are you looking for some added punch to help you stand out from the crowd? Joan Lloyd’s has developed job hunting tools that can help you to maximize your job search:
Your career is your responsibility. Create your own job security by acting more like an entrepreneur at work. Learn how to “sell” your skills to your organization, add more value on the job, develop your internal advocates and identify your personal motivators with Joan Lloyd’s Success Strategies to Boost Your Career & Help Your Organization. (CD & Workbook) Take charge of your career, today!
Joan Lloyd is a Milwaukee based executive coach and organizational & leadership development strategist. She is known for her ability to help leaders and their teams achieve measurable, lasting improvements. Joan Lloyd & Associates, specializes in leadership development, organizational change and teambuilding, providing: executive coaching, CEO coaching & team coaching, 360-degree feedback processes, customized training (leadership skills, presentation skills, internal consulting skills & facilitation skills), team conflict resolution and retreat facilitation.
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