There’s no denying that today’s workforce is career-focused. People are going to school longer, holding down more jobs and even elongating the workweek. Work and career development is a large part of our lives and often a huge contributor to our happiness and fulfillment. But what happens when the sacrifice becomes too great? How do you know when you’re working for your job, but your job is no longer working for you?
- You’ve hit a developmental wall.
From the high school job to the position from which you retire, there is something to be gained from working experience, but to feel fulfilled in a job, it’s important that you actually are challenged to be a better employee and professional. You should be given opportunities to improve your current skills while learning new ones.
How to give it one last try: Be sure you are proactive in finding development opportunities as well. Can you sign up for a conference or set of courses that will benefit your skill set? Discuss aspirations with leadership and express interest in using your skills when another department needs additional support.
- There’s no support from management.
Bad management has been a business affliction for as long as businesses have needed bosses. That’s just what happens when you put multiple individuals on a team and expect them to work together. However, what crosses the line is when you no longer feel support from leadership to thrive and grow. For example, it should never feel unnatural or make you nervous to approach management with a skill-development opportunity or workplace issue.
How to give it one last try: Before deciding your boss doesn’t care and never will, overcome your discomfort and schedule a meeting. Don’t spring these important, possibly career-altering conversations on them. They might be busy or feel ambushed and it may seem like they aren’t invested in what you have to say, when that may not be the case. Instead, formally set aside time and explain exactly what you want to cover in the meeting. Communication is important to the health of your career.
- You’re constantly overwhelmed and stressed.
Do you get a bit nervous when leaving the office for fear you’ve forgotten to do something important? Does your leader spring time-sensitive projects on you close to the end of your shift, causing you to stay late on a day you came in early? Work can play a huge part in your mental health, and if you find that you’re more concerned about what is happening at the office than any other part of your life, it could be a sign that too much rests on your shoulders.
How to give it one last try: Check your organizational habits and ensure you’re working efficiently with the hours you put in. Grab a planner and practice setting weekly goals and daily tasks. You might find that you have a scheduling problem, not a workload problem.
- You don’t fit the company culture.
The culture of a company can have a sweeping impact on organizational life. Because everything from leadership, location and employees has an effect on the culture, these traits are generally slow to change. That means whether you’re new or tenured, if the environment doesn’t seem to fit for you, it probably won’t get better in a few months. This is especially true when there’s moral misalignment.
How to give it one last try: Culture isn’t something you can influence directly and on your own, but it is something which you contribute. Do you participate in team-building activities or can you organize one? Do you find yourself being proactive or reactive?
- You dread work every day you have to go.
According to Gallup, only 8 percent of full-time employees report working less than 40 hours a week, with most working well over. While that number may vary according to occupation and industry, the point remains that you spend a great deal of your life at your job. That’s a lot of time to be unhappy, which inevitably will affect your emotional and physical health. Career satisfaction is important.
How to give it one last try: Are you entering work with a positive mind? Sometimes it’s all about your attitude and how you are approaching the situation. A positive vibe might change everything, even if your discomfort stems from conflict with co-workers. You also can learn to manage your time more efficiently so you don’t leave work drained.
Making a career change can be a daunting and stressful task, but if you relate to any of these five points, it may be time to re-evaluate your current employer. Plenty of companies offer training to further your development, support from management, work-life balance and a company culture that truly fits you and that you’re excited to experience every day. These are all extremely invaluable to workplace happiness. If making a final personal effort toward attaining these five tips doesn’t help, it may be time to look for a new career.
