What Happens When You Hate Your Job But Don’t Know What To Do?

By Perminus Wainaina

James was so excited when he landed his first job two years ago. He had been unemployed for almost three years and this new opportunity was something he looked forward to.

He recently walked into my office wanting guidance on his career.

Eight months after landing the job, James realized he did not like it. The work environment was intolerable, the boss was mean and his workload was always increasing. “This is not what I signed up for,” he mentioned.

Each morning he thinks of quitting. However, what holds him back is the fact that the same job he hates is the same one paying his bills.

“I want to leave. But the fact that I will be jobless scares me,” he went on.

Like James, you too could be feeling stuck in a job you hate that not only drains your energy and purpose but your happiness too.

Why then is it so hard to quit?

Fear of testing new waters

After working in a company for quite a long time, you may be scared to try out something new. The fear of unknown waters may be making you stagnate at the same point. You may be battling with questions such as “What if it does not work out?” or “Where am I going to?”

Money concerns

Having to deal with the cost of living and unpaid bills is something that you may face when you quit your job without another source of income. As such, you’d rather stay at a job you hate that ultimately pays all your bills, rather than struggle with bills and unemployment.

Being miserable is okay

You may be telling yourself that being miserable is okay especially because many people hate their jobs and that you don’t have to like what you do. This is especially because the same job you hate is giving your family a good life which according to you is not worth the sacrifice.

However, is being miserable truly okay?

So what should you do when you hate your job? 

Staying put at a job you hate and not doing anything about it, is ultimately not good for you, your job and even your future.

A job you don’t enjoy will turn into a job you are not good at it. You will procrastinate, avoid added responsibilities, and complain about it all day long – much to the ire of your colleagues, and the boss. If your whining reaches the boss’s ears, you will be out of the job in any case.

As Maya Angelou put it, “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”

1. Find out what you “hate” about the job

The only way to find a solution to hating your job is to get clear about what it is about the job that upsets you.

Is it the mean boss? Is it the sneering and overly competitive colleagues? A new and added responsibility that you cannot handle or are not equipped to do well? Has the workload suddenly increased or decreased? Has your job profile been changed?

Make a pros and cons list of your current job as a step to sort out this problem.

Once you understand exactly what you don’t like about your current situation, you will be better placed to decide your next move. It may not feel like it, but this job is helping you shape your future career. It’s giving you the vital information you need for your next career move because now you know exactly what you don’t want from a job.

2. Unless unbearable, don’t quit

If your job is paying your bills and compensating you decently for your troubles, quitting may not make you as happy as you think. This is especially so if you don’t have another job.

Remember that haste always makes waste. You might regret your decision of hurriedly resigning from your job, especially if you are unable to find another job soon enough.

Before resigning, try to make your job work by exploring different options available to you. Also, try different things to be happier in your workplace.

Leverage every possible opportunity that you can. Use this opportunity to network with your colleagues and professional contacts that you have met through that job. Also, take on those big projects or presentations at work.

For example, if you are in admin and your passion is in communication, you can help out in that department, while still doing your job. This may make you feel better about your job in the long run. Do everything that can make a difference. This will help set you up nicely for future job opportunities.

If you have to leave your job, make sure you have landed another one that has all the attributes your current job lacks.

3. Do not overshare your feelings

If all you do is moan, groan and complain to your colleagues about how you feel, many of them will start avoiding you. Your complaints will alienate you at a job you already dislike and even make it more unbearable.

Also, when you secure an interview at a different company and they ask about your previous employer, what you say matters.

Prospective employers look for people who are going to build up their businesses and reputations, not tear them down. Talking trash about a former employer during a job interview says more about you than the company. What’s more, you never know who your interviewer might know.

In Conclusion,

If a job starts affecting your life in a bad way, maybe it is time to quit. However, it is always good to have a good exit strategy beforehand – another job, before you quit.

If you’re not sure or you’re seeking clarity on where to start, with your job search, get advice from a mentor, family and friends, or a career coach.

Perminus Wainaina is the C.E.O and Managing Partner at Corporate Staffing Services, a leading HR consultancy firm based in Westlands. Through personalized career coaching he assists mid-level and senior professionals get solutions to complex and challenging career issues that they are facing. Click here for more on career coaching.