Leave the Wrong Job, Find Your Right Job.

Chances are if you are reading this article you are going through a job search or a career transition. If you have ever wondered if your job was the right one for you or if you should accept a job offer, then there are some key aspects that you need to consider before making a decision about your career. Rather than just writing your resume and jumping into the application process, you need to make a plan so that you end up with a job you love. If you are currently employed but aren’t sure if it is the right job for you, this is a great time for you to evaluate your work environment which will help you determine your next career move.

Tell Tale Signs You Are in The Wrong Job

You Feel Depressed – Following the daily grind for even the most enthusiastic of employees can have its periods of boredom. However, when your job seems to be taking over your life and leaving a dark cloud wherever you go; this could be a serious sign that not only is this job not right for you. It could seriously affect your health. When experiencing a low point in your career be sure to seek out the assistance of your EAP and see what support your benefits can offer you. If these efforts still do not seem to help, you might want to consider devising a plan to move onto the next phase of your career. Always remember, it is easier to find a new job when you already have a job.

No Chance for Growth and No Sign of it Being Offered When You Ask – You follow the coaching your manager gives you, you bring results, but still there seems to be no chance of growth. You ask your manager about new opportunities, and still no internal openings seem to be presenting themselves. Perhaps your manager is less than excited about the prospect of you moving away from their team of employees. This is not the time to panic, and it doesn’t mean that you will not learn anything during this period, take advantage of any professional development portals your employer offers, master skills you already have, and seek out ways to improve processes. Do this while in the midst of looking for your next job, who knows you might end up impressing the right person and achieve that career move you are looking for!

Poor Management – Unfortunately, amongst all of the great managers, there are some not so great managers. A manager often sets the tone of the workplace and is the backbone of the entire operation. It is often said that employees leave managers, not the company. If you are in a work situation that feels like a never ending struggle with your manager, and your work morale is being crushed then it might be time to seek new horizons.

Communication with Colleagues – Connecting with your colleagues is not just a part of the job to get work done, it’s a part of the employee experience and the organization’s culture. If you feel that your job is the place you want to be, but are having a hard time relating with colleagues, try connecting with them in different ways. First, ensure that your communication is clear, friendly and respectful when connecting with others and that you are all on the same page. Listen to what others have to say and validate their ideas. What about the worker who never seems to pull their own weight? Connect with them in an empathetic manner and see how you can help them out, always avoid an accusation approach. Try I statements, they can often bring about a more supportive atmosphere and create a clear line of communication.

What if you are in the situation where you are clear, friendly, collaborative and have discussed with your manager that you are having trouble connecting with your colleagues? If you have made every effort to connect with others and you still feel that you are getting nowhere, this could be an indicator that this company is not the right fit for you, it doesn’t necessary mean that your communication style is wrong, but it can be a chance for you to evaluate the next organization or department that you might want to consider moving on to.

How to Set the Track to Find the Right Job 

Determining what work environment is acceptable for you and what you are willing to tolerate in a workplace is extremely important when going about a new job search. Ask yourself the following questions – the key to this stage is being realistic while determining your acceptable working conditions.

1. What is your acceptable hourly/yearly wage? Benefits?
2. Where is an acceptable location?
3. What is your ideal company? Culture? Management Style? Do you like an open office or a closed office?
4. Level of autonomy or involvement with others and your manager.
5. What opportunities do you want to achieve? Professional Development?
6. What are you not willing to do or tolerate?

When writing a resume and making a decision about your career, you need to determine how would you feel about the work environment and what the organization can offer you, along with how well you can fulfill the requirements of the position.

Consider Changing Departments, and not Companies

In the event that you are working in a position and you feel like the challenge that the position once presented is no longer available, and you are working for a large corporation, consider moving to another department or office.  Begin with using the questions above to help plan your next career move, while keeping your organization in mind. The next step is to seek out internal job postings, most large organizations have job boards that are only available to employees. Like they say, once you are in the organization, it is easier to get the best positions. Also, look for opportunities to connect with colleagues who have advanced their career within the organization, often they can give you tips on how to grow your career.

Just Accepted a Job, and Now Aren’t Sure About It

So you just got a new job, you are a few months in, and are beginning to question if this job is the right opportunity for you? Rather than going about a whole new job search you should first step back and evaluate your current work environment. Consider the relationships you have with your colleagues. Are they healthy or could they use some improvement? How do you feel when you go to work – are you fulfilling a purpose or just counting the minutes on the clock? Make sure the work still matters to you and gives you a sense of purpose.

The first several months on the job are the most critical, they can be the most challenging and stressful. You are in a new environment and are learning a whole new set of processes and practices. Before you give up all together think about what interested you in the job to begin with? Was it the manager, the opportunities, the location or salary? Often we get so caught up in the challenges of the day to day environment, that we forget to see the bigger picture. When you are new with a company this is the time to set the tone of your career. Start by speaking with your manager or mentor, tell them where you are feeling stuck, they might be able to provide you with ways to improve your performance or help you connect with the right people within the company who can provide you with opportunities.

Is It a Pay Cheque or a Lifestyle?

Are you comfortable simply going to work, fulfilling your responsibilities and collecting your pay? Or are you looking for your job to be a part of your lifestyle? For the most part, the average employee is looking for their career to become a purposeful part of their life. If you choose a career that fulfills your personal as well as your professional needs, chances are you’ll be much happier and go much further in your career.

According to Forbes the average amount of years an employee will stay in their job is just 4.4 years, and with the millennial generation heading into their thirties and with the changes in the economy, it is becoming less common to see people stay in the same job for ten or more years. Along with the possibility of companies restructuring and more and more contract jobs being offered than permanent ones, the chances of a job seeker keeping a job for a lifetime is becoming far less probable.  With these changing trends, it is increasingly important to maintain a strong professional network and seek out job opportunities that will allow you to gain the maximum amount of skills. When evaluating your job, or if you have simply decided to move on all together, as a job seeker, you must know what you are accepting when you decide to move into your next position. Research, ask questions and know the direction you want to move your career into.

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