If you have a sinking feeling when Monday comes around, you’re not alone. More than half of the American workforce say they are unhappy in their current job. This is one of the contributing factors in the Great Resignation, a six month period where more than 24 million people quit jobs.
But is the grass always greener for these “job jumpers”? Financially, perhaps, but changing jobs is always a hassle and we wonder if these job seekers really made the effort to determine whether their job could be saved before they made the switch. So, let’s look at some things you can do in your current job to try to salvage it better before you give up and find something new.
What’s Making You Unhappy?
If you feel stuck in your current job, first assess what it is that’s making you unhappy. Some of the most common reasons to leave a job include:
- A bad relationship with your manager or teammates.
- Your life situation has changed in some way.
- There are no promotions in sight.
- Your values don’t align with the corporate culture.
- You’re bored, not challenged, and just not enjoying the work anymore.
- You’re working too many hours and burnt out.
Step one in figuring out whether you should look for something new is to figure out the problem. Step two is to find some ways to fix the issue or issues—if possible. For example, you could:
- Work on your relationships at work. Relationships can be repaired. Are there things you can begin to do to improve your relationship with your boss or change your perception amongst your teammates?
- Explore opportunities and ask for a transfer outside your current department for a fresh start and new challenges.
- If you need to spend more time with your family and less time commuting, ask for it. Many companies have transitioned to remote or hybrid work models.
- Ask for the promotion that you think you deserve and discuss with your manager what is needed to get to the next level.
- If your values don’t seem to fit the company anymore, reflect on what has changed.
- Figure out a new challenge. Does your company have an educational benefit? How about pursuing a new credential? Consider swapping assignments with a coworker or taking on a new project that reinvigorates your interest in the work you’re doing.
- Set boundaries to limit the amount of time spent working. Stop answering Slack or work emails on the weekends. Set aside time in the day to take a walk. If you feel like your work load is out of control, speak with your manager and ask for help.
Any of these efforts could rejuvenate your enthusiasm for the job. However, if they don’t, you have a resource in your corner to help you make a change. Blackstone Talent Group represents candidates in the IT field. We can help you light the spark in your career again. Call on us, your trusted career partner, and we can help.