Is Your Job Giving You A Reason To Stay In 2016?

By Selipha Kihagi

Are you always complaining how your job is hectic? How the salary you earn is not enough or how terrible your boss and co-workers are? Or even how much you hate your job? If you are, there is nothing unique about it. Almost every employed Kenyan has something to complain about their jobs. From the numerous happy cats and monkeys posted on Social Media on a Friday evening to the sad faces on Monday mornings, it is clear the higher percentage of Kenyans work for the weekends.

But even in the midst of these complains, some employees have found a reason to stay in their jobs. It could be the benefits package with full medical cover, the everyday lunch your company buys or the Friday evening open bar you get to enjoy. For some it could be the numerous travels you get to be part of or the flexible hours you will not find anywhere else.

And then there are those who are still lost and unhappy, who are yet to find a reason for staying in their jobs and who are considering leaving their jobs for something better. Are you in this category? Read on to weigh your options.

Reasons To Stay Or Not Stay In Your Job This Year

1. The job provides you with networking opportunities
For those struggling to find a reason to stay in a job you really hate, then your number one consideration should be networking opportunities. Getting a job in the current job market is getting tougher and only those daring enough to reach out to employers directly have a better chance. Before leaving your job, ask yourself, “Does this job give me networking opportunities?”

If your job allows you to meet and talk to potential employers or HR professionals and people who can refer you to a job, then you might want to stay and find your next job through them. That is already reason enough to keep going. If it doesn’t, then maybe these other reasons apply to you.

2. If the salary is good
While this may be the one thing that almost any career coach will warn you about, the money can be a good reason to stay for some. Remember this is not for everyone, but if your salary keeps you smiling every weekend because you can take trips whenever you want and not care about where the money is coming from, then you might want to stay in that job. Motivation to perform in a job can be anything, and money is usually among the top next to passion.

So, if you have a good steady pay check every end month, you might want to hold on a little longer this year. And maybe you can plan out your exit still in the job. But if you are complaining about the job and the salary too, honey, it’s time you start saying your goodbyes.

3.You are not sure of what next
If your job lacks in everything you consider beneficial enough to stay, and most importantly does not have growth potential or a good salary package, then you are probably leaning towards leaving. But after leaving, what are you going to do next? If you can answer this question with a concrete plan, then go ahead and tender that resignation letter.

But if you are not sure and your answer is “I’ll just find another job” or something close to that, then you are better off staying at your current soul-sucking job. It might be the last place you want to be and might even be against that one resolution you made, but staying is your best bet.

4. Opportunity to start a side job
Some jobs may be draining and with the worst working hours in the history of Kenyan employment, but if being at the job gives you resources to start a side job or start off your business, then you might want to stay. Think about it, most employers want their staff to stay from 8 to 5 or 9 to 5 depending on where you work, but how many hours are you actually involved in your daily tasks?

Most of you will find they have at least 3 hours to spare on a good day. This is opportunity to build your side project and plan your exit. It also gives you time to look for other jobs and make applications.

You might hate your job a lot and can’t stop letting your friends and colleagues know about it, but what are you going to do about it? You can follow up on that resolution to quit or you can find a reason to stay in the job. Be smart!!

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