If you hate your job, you need to discover where the frustration is coming from and what you can to stop hating your job. In general, any frustration you feel at work is because your expectations about something were not met.
Are you feeling any of the following:
- Your work is tedious, repetitive or does not put your skills to the test.
- The pay you receive does not equal the value you bring.
- Your boss is not an effective leader.
- Your co-workers do not fulfill their roles adequately.
- The tools or means to achieve your work are inadequate.
- You do not have opportunities to expand your contribution.
Do you recognize some of these situations as the source of your work frustration? If so, you will need a clear strategy to attack the problems in order to stop hating your job.
If your problem is that you have a large workload, focus on being more productive instead of just being busy
Identify which tasks keep you “busy” and try to eliminate or automate them. If this is not possible or you need authorization from your boss to do it, look for the authorization as soon as possible. This will have 2 effects: (1) you optimize your work and (2) you show your interest/ability to improve the company. In case your work is inherently boring or tedious and cannot be substantially improved, look for other ways to offer value: change departments, go to another leader or team to see what you can help or what you can learn in your free time, etc.
If you are aware that your value is not equivalent to what you receive in salary … talk!
Meet with your boss and tell him what you think, explain where you’re coming from and negotiate your salary. You must take into account your true power in the negotiation. If your position is easily replaceable, consider it best to change your position before asking for an increase. Gain negotiation power by providing value makes you difficult to replace.
If the problem is that your boss is not an effective leader, the first step is to talk to him
Be honest and politely assertive on what he can do to improve. If speaking honestly to your boss causes fear, this should be a good indicator that your boss doesn’t have (1) the ability or intention to change and (2) therefore, resigning (or changing departments) may be a viable option. Be realistic and patient.this is not an easy thing to do.
The problem may be that your coworkers do not do their part
The first step is to talk with them (see the pattern?). Explain what you think is the problem and try to solve it with them directly. Talking openly is therapeutic for many different aspects of your life, so it’s not that strange that it can help you stop hating your job as well. If you do not see a positive change, talk to them again and explain how poor work habits hurt you, the company and themselves. Tell them openly that you will take the problem to your boss if necessary. Remember that your loyalty should be with your principles, values, and goals, not with people in particular. Explain that you are approaching them because you care about them and because your work is affected. This situation can be extended to other relationships: clients, suppliers, subordinates, partners, etc.
If your frustration is caused by lack of adequate tools and means to do your job, look for the true reasons why these are missing
If, for example, the company is going through “bad times” this could be a valid reason for the lack of necessary means/tools; there’s also the possibility to create a new culture that maximizes the use of the tools you do have. This is your chance to show that you can contribute more value during “lean times”. If, on the other hand, the lack of means/tools is simply because no one knows what’s needed or there is no interest– you guessed it – talk and negotiate.
Finally, if the problem is that your employer does not give you opportunities to expand your contribution (promotions, personal and professional training, etc.)
Simply stop waiting for your employer to give you the opportunities and look for them yourself. Look for seminars or courses in your industry and ask your bosses to book them for you. (Or at least, give you the necessary time to go). Or make a proposal to create a workgroup to improve some specific aspect of the company. If you want to have your own office and your own subordinates, do not wait for someone to creating an opportunity, do it yourself!
When there is no possibility of repair and you just can’t find a way to stop hating your job for whatever reason, the only solution left is to quit. If you did your best to address your main cause(s) of frustration at work and no one cares, there simply isn’t anything more for you at that position. You can always strive for more with our help at Systems Personnel. Contact us and browse our jobs database to discover your perfect job and a career path.
What’s your next step?
Send us your resume today and one of our top recruiters will be in contact to help you find your next role.