This article on what to do if you hate your job is part of the Content Collective series, featuring tips and expertise from Flatiron School staff members on topics ranging from program success to the job search. This series is a glimpse of the expertise you can access during your program at Flatiron School.
Congrats, you’ve found a job! After weeks or months of searching and interviewing, you’ve landed a position. You’re excited to start this new step in your career, but after a few weeks on the job, you realize something is wrong. You hate your job.
You may be wondering what to do next. After all, you’ve put a lot of time and effort into finding this position, and you don’t want to start the job search process all over again. However, your happiness in your work is important. If you’re miserable in your job, it’s going to affect your work performance, your mental and physical health, and your overall quality of life.
So, what do you do if you hate your job? Here are some tips:
Identify the Problem(s) & Reflect
Take some time to reflect on why you dislike your job. Is it the work itself? Is it your coworkers or manager? Is it the company culture? Once you’ve identified the specific problems, you can start to think about how to address them.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- What are the specific parts of my job that I dislike?
- Are these problems temporary or long-term?
- How does this job fit into my long-term career goals?
Once you have a better understanding of the problem, you can start to develop a plan to address it.
Take Action
Depending on the specific problems you’re facing, there are a few things you can do to try to improve your situation:
- Try to find aspects of your job that you enjoy. There’s probably something that you can find tolerable or even satisfying. Focus on these aspects of your job.
- Set small, achievable goals for yourself, such as completing a certain task or project each week.
- Talk to your manager or HR department. They may be able to offer solutions or adjustments.
Make Time For Yourself
When you’re unhappy with your working situation, it is critical to acknowledge your emotions and make time for rest. It’s okay to be unhappy or frustrated with your situation, but don’t make any rash decisions based on your current feelings. If you’re overwhelmed or stressed, take some time to relax and recharge before you start to build a plan of action.
Here are a few things you can do:
- Talk to a friend, family member, therapist, or career coach about how you’re feeling.
- Practice self-care activities such as exercise, spending time outside, or journaling.
- Get enough sleep and eat healthy.
- Engage in activities that you enjoy, such as reading, spending time with loved ones, or pursuing hobbies.
It’s also important to be patient with yourself and with the job. It takes time to adjust to a new position. Prioritize rest, and give it a few more weeks or months to see if things start to improve. If they do, great! But, if it continues to be a miserable experience, it’s time to strategize your next steps.
Strategize Your Next Steps
If you’ve tried everything to improve your situation but you’re still unhappy, it may be time to start looking for a new job. However, it’s important to have a strategy in place before you resign.
Here are a few things to consider if you’re thinking about re-starting the job search process:
- Update your resume and start networking with industry contacts as soon as possible, securing a new job may take some time.
- Don’t storm out in a rage – have a new job or clear plan before resigning (gracefully).
- Leave on the best terms possible. Give your employer two weeks’ notice and tie up any loose ends before leaving.
Learn From The Experience
Even if you end up leaving your job, view this experience as a learning opportunity. What can you learn from this experience that will help you make better career decisions in the future?
Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- What will I do differently next time?
- What did I learn about myself and my career goals?
- What kind of work environment and culture am I looking for?
Adjusting to a new job, or leaving one you are dissatisfied with, can be challenging, but it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Many people experience some discomfort when they first start a new job. If you find that you hate your job, practice self-care, take some time to reflect on why, and develop a plan to address the problem. If you’ve tried everything and you’re still unhappy, it may be time to start looking for a new job. But whatever you do, don’t give up on pursuing your career goals.
About Aimee Thompson
Aimee Thompson is an ICF Certified Coach with Flatiron School. Her background is in coaching, human resources, customer success, recruiting, and learning and development. Her passion is partnering with her clients to help them thrive outside of their comfort zone and create a life they love.
