Sumit was recruited to his dream job right out of college less than three years back. After a few paychecks, Sumit walked up to a car showroom and got a brand new car on a five-year loan. Soon lifestyle for Sumit seemed like great credit cards, iPhone, Pubs, and the works. All sounds great. Wrong.
About a year into his job, COVID -19 struck, and his employer merged with another company in a few months. Sumit's boss, who was also his mentor, left. Sumit now has a new boss who pays little or no attention to what Sumit is doing except when he wishes to criticizes him. Sumit's job is still a dream, but a bad one!
The situation added little to his experience. Sumit could start looking for a job elsewhere. However, jobs aren't plentiful in his field right now — at least not for someone with as little experience as he has, and most organizations are struggling with financial pressure because of the Pandemic. A good reference is also not an assurance that he has from his current employer.
Sumit's situation isn't all that unusual. Many people get stuck in jobs they don't like (or even hate). As in Sumit's case, quitting isn't an option. He has a loan to pay, while others in similar positions may have a family to support. Much like Sumit, others may not have the experience or skill needed to get a better job. Whatever your reason for staying at a job you dislike, there are ways to make the best of a less than ideal situation.
Make a note of what you Like and What You Don't.
The first thing you need to do is sit down and make a list of the things you don't like about your job. Don't say "everything." Sometimes, when you hate your job or several aspects of your job, it makes you so miserable that you believe you hate every bit of it. Reason well with yourself. This will allow you to see things more pragmatically. Be specific. If you say you don't get along with your boss, list the things about him that bother you.
Now, list the things you like about your job. Again, don't say "nothing." Sometimes all the awful stuff overshadows the good, but if you look hard enough, you indeed can find something that you like about your job. Maybe it's your boss, or your co-workers, or a part of your job.
Look at the list of things you dislike and identify if you can resolve any of the listed issues? Probably there are. Most situations are not as hopeless as they seem. For example, if you're having problems with your boss, can you sit down and discuss him? Before you do, try to look at the situation objectively. There are two sides to every story. Try to see your boss's side. Maybe you can orchestrate some changes at your end that might help change the relationship a bit, and at times that's enough to hang on in these challenging times.
Are you unhappy with the work itself? Sometimes a job evolves and what you were hired to do isn't exactly what you are doing. If you are doing work that you aren't interested in, you need to do something about it. Decide what shall it take to get the assignment that you want. Please don't seek the impossible. Please don't do this to yourself. Settle in for what is doable. Once you know what is it that would intrest you. Map it to these three measurement criteria's. How is it quantified? How is it measured? Who measures it, and why? Now research well, draw a map with timelines. Start now, gather or upgrade all the necessary skills to do what you would like to do if you already don't have the skill possess them.
In case you find your intrest outside of your organization. You must be proactive, or you'll just be dragged along. You need to get experience in your field of interest. Please get to know people in your area of interest and do an assignment or two for them pro bono. This would help you build your resume. Of course, this isn't what you want to tell your boss.
In case you are overworked, the Pandemic has forced downsizing, and the remaining employees end up with an excessive amount of work to do. Having additional responsibilities isn't necessarily a bad thing. Your boss may have given them to you because he felt you could handle it. Suppose you are truly overwhelmed and can't complete your work within a reasonable amount of time. In that case, you should talk to your boss. Be mindful that responsibilities or workload can not be negotiated; thus, bargain your extra efforts for something you like and one that is possible.
People complain that they are bored with their jobs. They feel they can handle greater responsibilities than they've been given. In that case, ask for more responsibility. Express an interest in projects you know you can handle. If you get turned down, don't worry. Prove yourself instead—volunteer for opportunities where you can hone your skills. Call for your boss's attention to what you're accomplishing outside of your assigned work. If your new experience isn't currently being acknowledged, be assured it will be appreciated sometime in the future when it becomes part of your resume.
Find out what educational benefits your company offers. Many larger companies provide courses assistance or fee reimbursement to their employees. Your organization may expect you to stay for a specific duration after benefiting from a course. Making this commitment might be worth it.
Following the suggestions in this article can help you make the most of a less than perfect situation. If you have no choice but to stay with your current employer, you have nothing to lose anyway. You may not only find that you can tolerate your job, but you may also begin to enjoy it. You may even gain something — new skills, education, and more.
