What to Do When You Are Genuinely Unhappy With Your Job

Posted

While there are dream jobs, no job is perfect. Every role has its own challenges, and based on circumstances, some days are simply better than others. However, the bad days should not outweigh the good. If your job makes you miserable more often than not, it might be time for a change.

Whether you are simply disengaged in your current work or truly dejected with your entire role, now is the time to evaluate your situation. No matter how far along you are in your career, it is never too late to change course and pursue opportunities that make you happy. Follow these steps to transform your unpleasant work life into something truly satisfying.

 

3 Steps to Finding Career Happiness

1. Get to the Root of the Problem

When you are miserable at work, pursuing new opportunities probably seems like the obvious solution. While this may be true, avoid making rash decisions. Begin by figuring out exactly what it is about your current job that makes you despondent. When it comes down to it, your unhappiness might stem from a single aspect of the job, such as an unreasonable workload, but it could also be the result of a number of issues, such as an unreasonable workload along with a toxic work environment, a hectic schedule and a micromanaging boss. Once you have identified the root cause(s) of your unhappiness, you can plan how to move forward.

2. Decide What You Want

Create a plan to more forward, whether that is with your current company or somewhere else. This may involve having an open and honest conversation with your boss to see if something can be done to keep you from resigning. They might be able to work with you to improve your situation.

If it is looks like you might need to move on to find career happiness, begin mapping out a new career path. As you look for new opportunities, remember what you enjoyed about the job, but keep the current issues in mind as well. You do not want to go through the effort of finding a new job, only to wind up in the same situation. Only you can decide what needs to happen for you to feel happy and fulfilled in your career, so make sure the choice is entirely your own.

3. Keep Working Until You Find Career Satisfaction

Any career change worth making cannot be completed overnight. Quick fixes simply serve as a Band-Aid. Once you commit to making a change, you owe it to yourself to focus on the transition. You deserve to be happy, so keep working towards the job you want — no matter how many obstacles fall in your path. When you finally land your dream job, it will definitely be worth the effort.

Build a Bright Future

Stop wasting time at a job that makes you unhappy and work with RealStreet to make a fresh start. Our team is here to connect you with resume-building architecture, engineering and construction opportunities with top employers, nationwide. Contact us to learn more!

I have worked with RealStreet for the past five years to provide supplemental staffing for two federal government contracts. It has been a great partnership. I find RealStreet to be attentive and responsive to our needs, reliable, and they consistently find great people that fit what we need for multiple roles on two different programs.

Kevin T. Fitzpatrick, PMP, Peer Review Program Manager

See All Testimonials

Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our monthly emails for up-to-date industry news and insights.