So you hate your job…

Written by Jana Lanigan

Is it Monday again?  Can I call in sick?  If I put my head back under the covers will it be the weekend again?

Are you reading this thinking, yes that is so me! I need a new job!

Here are some things to think about when pondering that thought.  What is it that you really don’t like about your role, is it something small that you could change or is it a larger issue?

You’d be surprised what having a meeting with your manager and voicing your concerns can do.  This is always worth trying before taking the leap back out into the job market.  Your manager is not your enemy.  If you’re drowning, let them know! There could be some things in your current role that you can modify to make you happy again; such as start or finish times, adjusting workloads/delegating, learning new tasks, utilising training opportunities or even being able to park at work.  Ask your manager if you can grab a coffee, and have the conversation. Let them know you are feeling a bit flat and need some motivation.  A conversation just might open the door to making things a little better.  If you don’t speak up, they won’t know.

If it’s a more complex issue like not getting along with work colleagues, travel distance or the role itself growing a little tiresome, it might be time to think about a change.  Sometimes those larger issues overshadow everything that excited you when you first took on the role.

As recruiters, we hear all kinds of reasons why people are looking for a new job. Some need a new challenge, or their role has changed. Some are bored or are struggling with management!  If this is the case, have a think about dusting off your resume, and starting the search for your new dream role.

When searching for your new role remember:

• Your resume should not be a ‘one size fits all’ – for each job application, revise your details to suit the job your applying for.
• Get rid of the hotmail address you made when you were in high school – while we do get a laugh out of it, it’s best to leave it behind.
• Check, check, check for spelling and grammatical errors!
• Ensure your resume has consistent formatting, reads well and tells your story.
• Include ALL of the tasks you were responsible for.
• Don’t add your bathroom selfie to your resume!
• Update your LinkedIn profile – make sure you are selling yourself across all available platforms.
• Make your Facebook page private – yes, we do snoop sometimes!
• Keep track of what you apply for – there is nothing more off-putting than talking to a candidate who can’t remember what job they applied for!

Now, let’s fast forward… you’ve been offered a role… Woohoo!  We’re onto the next hurdle – resigning!  Remember you never want to burn bridges, as this can inevitably come back to bite you on the proverbial.  Here are a couple of things to remember when you decide to move out of a role and into a new one;

1. Always try to work with your outgoing employer as well as your new employer.  If you have to give four weeks’ notice it is best practise to honour this.  If your new employer needs you sooner, it’s all about communication, be honest with your current employer and see if you can work out an exit strategy.
2. Work hard right up until the last moment.  You want to go out on a high, be the person they remember for being awesome, not the other kind we won’t mention.
3. One hurdle you can face resigning is when your current manager counter offers you! Aghast!! Contrary to what you thought, they want you to stay!  There are lots of stats about counter offers which basically come down to this – approximately 80% of people who accept the counter offer, won’t be there in 6 months and approximately 93% of people won’t last 18 months. What this means is money isn’t everything.  No amount of money will make your terrible boss better, nor will it make work colleagues nicer or change the environment you work in.  These things will remain the same, no matter your salary package.  So that quick grab for more money will have you right back where you started, miserable and wanting out. So stick to your guns, and take that new job if you want it.

In a nutshell, if things turn pear shaped in your role, it’s best to sit back and really take stock of what you want. Keep the communication open with your current employer and fix the little things.  Have the conversation, let your employer know how you are feeling and give it a second chance.   If you feel that you are at the end of the road, go and find yourself that shiny new role. The most important thing of all is to BE HAPPY & LOVE WHAT YOU DO!