Do You Hate Your Job? Here’s What You Can Do to Find a Job You Love

Do you sometimes get the sense that you’re taken for granted at work – or that you do not realize your full potential?

Are you tired of working in a dull job that’s “just paying the bills?”

Are you feeling stuck in a rut with your career?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above, you deserve better.

The good news? You’re only as “stuck” as you think you are. With the right mindset and a smart plan, you can ditch that job you loathe and find one you truly enjoy. Here are a few tips to get started:

Determine if there’s a way to fall back in love with your job.

Before you head for the hills, consider whether you could turn things around with your current position. Sometimes, a frank conversation or a small change in your responsibilities can make a big difference in your job satisfaction. In this post, we share a 4-step plan for reigniting your passion for your job. And in this one, we share 10 ways to make your work more enjoyable.

Reflect on what you want – and don’t want.

The best way to find a new job you love starts with introspection. Consider:

• Areas in which you naturally excel. In “What Are You Great At?” we explain a simple process for uncovering your talents and strengths and then applying what you learn to find a new job that aligns with your innate abilities.
• What you don’t like about your current job. Whether it’s a personality or culture clash, lack of challenge, micromanagement, or any other aspect of your work, make a list of what works – and doesn’t – so you can avoid the same situation in the future.
• Your career goals. Write a detailed description of your ideal career and keep it in a place where you’ll see it often to “keep your eyes on the prize.”
• What’s most important to you. Do you value flexibility, serving others, maximizing your compensation, or career growth opportunities? Make a prioritized list of what matters most, and use it as a guide for evaluating job opportunities.
• Where your talents and values overlap. Once you understand where you excel and what you value most, do some research to develop a list of potential jobs and industries that might be a good fit.

Create your job search plan.

• Update your resume and social accounts. Identify and weave your transferable skills through your resume and professional social accounts to improve your marketability.
• Develop a plan to remove roadblocks that stand between you and a job you love. Create a list of potential barriers to success, and then brainstorm ways to remove the ones you can. Taking small steps like this can be just what you need to get “unstuck” and find the motivation to make a move.
• Enlist the help of others. Connect with a wide variety of people who could potentially assist you: family, friends, members of professional associations, perhaps even former teachers. Ask for their insights to uncover new job leads or opportunities for professional development that may further your efforts.

Consider temporary assignments through PrideStaff.

Temporary work is a great way to earn money while you find a job you love. You can:

• Try out different types of job responsibilities and work in a variety of settings – so you can find the type of role and environment that suits you best.
• Get your foot in the door with your dream employer. While you’re on assignment, you can make connections internally and build your professional network to increase your chances of being considered for a direct job.
• Access unadvertised job opportunities. Many organizations work exclusively with staffing and recruiting agencies like PrideStaff – so you won’t find those jobs advertised elsewhere.
• Get hired directly. Many associates who work on temporary assignments wind up being offered full-time, direct roles with the employer.

Leave without burning bridges.

When you’re ready to make a move, do it professionally. Submit your resignation in writing (preferably in person) and offer two weeks’ notice. Your employer may not take you up on it, but following accepted protocols for leaving your current job will increase the likelihood that your employer will give you a positive job reference.

Ready to find a job you love?

Connect with a PrideStaff recruiter. Our employment experts can help examine your skills, interests, and career goals – and find a gratifying job. Contact the PrideStaff office in your area to find out more about great local job opportunities.