It happens to everyone at one point or another. You land a job you think you’re going to love…maybe it’s even your dream job. But when it comes to the day-to-day, you quickly realize it’s not your dream job at all. In fact, you can’t think about anything else besides getting out and how to move on. Whether you don’t see eye to eye with your boss or you can’t stand the team or it’s the actual work that you just don’t love, when getting out is your number one priority, it’s tough to focus on anything else. No matter what – you have to have a plan. Simply quitting to quit is not an option – so what do you do? Here’s a look at five things to do before quitting a job you hate.
5 Things to Do Before Quitting a Job You Hate
#1. Sit down and make a list of all the pros and cons of your current position. Are there parts of the job that you really do love? Can you make changes within the firm or in your role to help you enjoy the position more? Once you’ve listed out everything, then it’s time to make a decision. If you truly are ready to move on – then it’s time to set yourself up for the job hunt.
#2. Identify some target companies. Having a plan is the name of the game in the job world, and giving yourself that chance to align a strategy is pretty essential. Sit down and make a list of companies that you’d really like to work for. Hone in on five to ten that seem to be the ideal fit – from company culture to the type of work they do. Dedicate yourself to figuring out who you know and how you can get a foot in the door rather than simply submitting applications.
#3. Work the networking angle. These days it’s all about knowing someone at the company to help connect you with the hiring managers. Without that connection to help fast track your resume to the right person, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of other resumes. Use social networking tools like LinkedIn to figure out where your connections are and who you can reach out to.
#4. Get your LinkedIn profile looking great. When you head back out into the job hunting world, it’s essential that you represent yourself in the best way possible. LinkedIn is one of the best ways to show the business community just what you’re made of. Add current and past positions, significant accomplishments you’ve had, showcase projects you’ve worked on and add a current photo. In other words, set yourself up for success.
#5. Be confident in your decision to move on. Being wishy washy is not the best way to approach your next steps – it’s confidence in yourself and for yourself that will give you the leg up when you go through the job hunting process. Know your worth and assess your skill set – be proud of everything you have accomplished so far and move on knowing that you’re ready for that next step and a new adventure.
Have you ever had to walk away from a job that you just didn’t love anymore? What steps did you take to put the process in motion?
