Now that you’ve taken the time to answer the questions, do you have a better idea of why you are not happy at work?
Let’s look at some possible solutions:
- I hate my boss – No picking up a Voodoo Doll is not the solution. Assess why you “hate” your boss. Is it because he/she lacks all people skills, expects you to do his/her work, or is it simply a question of differing personalities. Always remember that you don’t have to be friends with the people at work to get your work done. Is there something you can do to improve the situation?
- Company A pays better – That’s great, but what about the rest of the benefits? It’s no point getting a “bigger “salary, but you no longer have Medical Aid or Provident/Pension Fund. Not to mention that you are going to be sitting is rush hour traffic for an extra hour each day!
- Company B has a better Training Programme – Fantastic! What is the guarantee that you will be able to make use of the programme? Remember that Training programmes are linked to not only budget, but Equity Reports, succession plans etc.
- There’s no chance for promotion – If you have reached that “ceiling”, it is time to move. If the benefits & pay are, have you considered a lateral move, this could increase your skills & make you more of an all rounder in the business? This might be use full down the line when applying for a managerial position.
- My skills are not being used – That is quite possible, then we cannot expect all our skills to be utilized in every job that we do.
- It’s something outside of work causing the unhappiness – sort this out asap. Get professional help if necessary.
Then again, there are a few other things to look at:
- If the company values & your work values clash, it would be a good idea to start looking for work elsewhere. The stress you experience because of the clash simply isn’t worth it. Keep your head down & do your work.
- If your passion lies in an entirely different direction, assess whether a career in that direction is feasible. If it is, develop a realistic plan that will enable you to make the transition.
- Just bored. Look at the possibility on taking on more tasks, this may vary your day. Ask a colleague if you can assist them when they are snowed under. Or look at improving systems and procedures. Companies generally are happy for staff to provide improvement.
Finally, there are 2 things you don’t do:
- Simply resigning without a plan B is not the option for the following reasons:
- You add stress to your life as finding a job when you don’t have one is difficult & in today’s economic climate, work is scarce.
- It creates a VERY bad impression on your CV, because believe me you are going to have explain the gap.
- Resign without working out your notice period:
- Never burn bridges, you never know when that perfect career opportunity might become available.
- You can be sure that your reference will not be a good one.
So at the end of the day, when making a Career Change remember the following:
- Why are you really unhappy?
- What can you do to improve the situation
- Develop & Plan B that doesn’t include burning bridges.
If you are still stuck, find a Career Coach who will be able to assist & guide you through the process.
