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Most people, at some point of their career wake up one morning and realize they dread the thought of having to go to work. Not because they didn’t get enough sleep or they don’t feel well, but because they hate their job! Often, however, it’s not the ‘job’ they really hate, it’s the company, boss, peers, or circumstances. When you’re immersed in it every day though, it’s sometimes hard to distinguish the difference.
Many people have made poor career change decisions because they did not figure out what it was they really hated. Do you hate your job, or do you hate where you do your job? It’s an important distinction.
I’ve been blessed in my career to have found something I love to do. For the past 23 years I have been a technology recruiter. I have worked for consulting firms and search firms, and am currently self-employed. I thoroughly enjoy working with client companies in helping them define open positions and then find the right candidate to fill the role. I enjoy finding the right candidate, meeting and interviewing new people, finding ways to be of help in their job search whether I can place them or not. I’ve had the privilege of managing large organizations and training and developing others. However, for several months at one point in my career I was convinced I had to find something else to do with my life. I hated my job! I hated the thought each day of having to go back to something that seemed to make me miserable. I thought the industry must have changed and I didn’t like it anymore. Even though I had had great success in the past, I wasn’t experiencing success then and couldn’t see how I would ever become successful again. Oh, and by the way, I was working for a poor boss, in poor office space, and everyone around me seemed to be miserable too. I began to explore other possible careers, but wasn’t finding anything that I felt enthusiastic about or seemed to fit my greatest skills and abilities. I began to think I was in a hopeless situation. I hated what I was doing and couldn’t seem to find anything else I wanted to do. Fortunately, I decided to break down what it was I really liked and disliked, what I did well and what I did not do well, and what made me successful and what did not. I soon discovered that it wasn’t the process of recruiting that was making me miserable, it was where, and with whom I was doing it. The environment and culture of the organization was also keeping me from being successful. Since all of it was integrated in my day, it was very difficult to see what it was that was pulling me down. Soon I was out seeking another position, doing the same thing, but with a good mental checklist of what I was seeking in a new organization. Once I found it, my life was much improved. I was excited about going to work again. So, are you in a job you hate, or did you quit or get laid-off from one recently? Before you decide you have to change careers, take some time to break down what it is you actually dislike. You may find that you’re in the right career, just in the wrong place.
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Comments
07.30.09
Hey Chris - I think you pointed out something that is really important when looking for a job/career...it is just as important to know what you don't like as well as what you do like in a job.
One issue Gen Y and younger people face is that sometimes you don't know unless you try. So it is inevitable (and I think beneficial) for people to go into jobs that you don't like or even hate. The key is to view it as a learning and growing experience and when you had enough, you move on, take what you have learned, and find a better job that fits you much better now that you have greater self-knowledge.
I worked as a personal trainer right after college and loved it. But the learning curve leveled off and it was just not interesting. I would have hated it if I had stayed in it. But I took some time, just like you, to see what I liked and didn't like and decided it was time to move on. I then used the knowledge I learned (like working one-on-one with people to help them create better lives) and this moved into a job working as a case manager at a non-profit community mental health clinic. I was able to work one-on-one while utilizing my psychology background.
So just as you mentioned, it is important to continually be aware of your inner-signals, take that knowledge and use it to move forward in finding a job you love!
07.30.09
I think, as you emphasize, it's important to distinguish between the job and the employer. I had a job I hated. It seemed like it should be good, but it was awful. Then I got basically the same job at another company. And almost immediately, I found myself thinking, "I KNEW this could be a good job! I just didn't like doing it there!"
07.30.09
Thank you for this awesome post Chris! I think you are absolutely right- we need to look at WHERE we work and WHO we work with before we assume we are in the wrong industry.
I think almost any job can be great with the right people and environment around you!
This is a post I absolutely needed today!
07.30.09
I complete agree with Katenonymous, sometimes you might not realize; the culture affect your day to day such (The posters on the company wall are not their culture).
I remember once I meet my future co- worker when I went to sign my contract, and decided to cancel my acceptance the evening of the same day; because I felt their was too much silos that I can't see my self staying there for more than a few months.
Also nowadays a person can have multiple careers at the sametime. As per Marci Alboher from the below interview.
http://www.totalpicture.com/shows/success-strategies/marci-alboher.html
08.01.09
There are all sorts of bizarre employers in all sorts of ordinary industries--I've got a few examples posted on my blog--but I think there are sectors where people are pre-disposed to be a bit nuttier than the rest....say "loss prevention," otherwise known as "undercover in-store detective work", or "arresting shoplifters at JC Penney."
08.19.09
The values of the company you work for are very important. An employee will be more comfortable if he/she works for a company that shares the values of that employee. That said however the stated values of a company may not be its actual values. I recommend that my clients talk to the employees they will be working with to determine if the company is a good fit. The candidate needs to ask about the issues that are most important to him/her to see if there is a match. I agree you can be miserable doing work that you love in a company that isn't right for you.
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