It’s happened to me, so I’m certain you’ve experienced it too. You’re working a job for a company and you may enjoy it, you may not. You may have exceeded what your potential is at that company or in your position, or you may not feel like you’re getting what you’re worth. Where’s the appreciation for your efforts? The creativity in your tasks? The raise you were promised? I get it. We’ve all been in a position where we’ve felt stuck professionally. Even in my current position, I’ve been in situations where I’ve had to reassess my role, whether I was the issue or whether it was simply time for me to move on. Before you decide to throw in the towel and quit, follow the steps below to determine where you stand with your current company.
Weigh Your Options
Shopping around is the best way to determine other opportunities that may be a better fit for you, and it never hurts to do. I know for me personally, there are a lot of perks that may not be included should I choose to take another job. I have an exceptional work-life balance. If I need a vacation, an off-day or a short day, all I’ve got to do is say so. I do a lot of really fun things, eat a lot of good food and drink for free (yes that matters) and actually like my coworkers. Will the things that I claim to want like a higher salary, or a fancier office really outweigh the many advantages of my current position? The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Look for other opportunities that could potentially fill in the gap of what you feel like you’re missing.
Are You Staying Engaged?
Engagement without a doubt drives productivity. If you’ve checked out, that could be your biggest problem. Once we call ourselves being fed up, it’s easy to just ride a day-to-day wave waiting on 5 pm. We tend to quit caring whether or not we impress our boss, or are giving our responsibilities our best effort. No one works harder than they do during their first six months at a new company when they’re trying to prove their worth. Can you keep that momentum going? Try to put your annoyance on the back burner and actually put your best foot forward, giving your role 100% and see if the circumstances change. Don’t do the bare minimum and in return expect your situation to turn around. If you’re giving your job the best you’ve got and are still continually disappointed with the outcome, you may be a better fit elsewhere.
How Hard Are You Really Working?
This is the part where we really have to be self aware and honest with ourselves. Do you really deserve what you’re requesting? I’m not talking about things like respect and equal opportunities, those shouldn’t have to be negotiated. I’m talking about things we think we should be getting simply because we’ve been with a company a certain amount of time or get to work on time everyday. My mom used to always say “you don’t get a pat on the back for doing what you’re supposed to do” and that applies to work as well. Simply doing your job may not be enough to warrant a better position. Self entitlement in a big barrier in millennial growth, many of us want instant results. Chances are, your CEO isn’t a millennial and is still doing the things the old fashion corporate way: hard work, consistency and experience.
Are You The Issue?
Try to determine whether or not the issue is your job, your boss, your schedule… or if the issue is you. There could be hundreds of reasons for why you’d want to quit your job and hundreds of those reasons may be perfectly logical. Before I blame anyone else, I like to take a look at myself and be honest about my role in the problem. Everything from how you’re responding to the issue to you doing things to spite a coworker play a part in the dynamic of your role. Consider what you can be doing differently to better serve your department or avoid confrontation.
Communicate It
Who can you talk to about the discomfort you’re experiencing and have you already done so? Work-related relationships are still relationships and in all relationships, communication is key. Schedule a time to sit down your manager, your manager’s boss or HR (if your manager is the issue) to really express what issues you’re experiencing and what the options for a solution are. Before I talk to anyone, my boss included, I brainstorm and create a list of the things that I’m concerned about, as well as the things I feel need to brought to light. In situations like this, you have to be as willing to listen to feedback as much as you’re willing to talk about what’s wrong. Try your best to take emotions out of it and use facts, instead of saying “I feel”. Sometimes a company, boss or position won’t be able to give us what we’re hoping for, and that’s OK. If communicating your issue doesn’t yield the results you were hoping for, happily move on.
Careers are important. They will take up a large portion of your life and will play a huge role in your lifestyle. Your happiness and opportunities for growth shouldn’t have to be compromised. If you’ve done all you can to make the best out of your current role and haven’t been successful, feel no guilt in continuing your search for the perfect position.
