What To Do If You Hate Your Job: How To Start Over
Starting over with a new job can be a daunting process. Knowing the best way to prepare yourself for applying to new jobs while coping with a job you hate can make it easier.
Many people start new jobs with the hope that they will make more money, get a fresh start, or maybe learn new skills. For a lot of these people, new jobs bring all these things and more.
Sadly, some people don't feel rewarded by their job and need a fresh start. For workers who haven't been in a job search for a long time, it can be daunting to consider looking for new work, especially if there is a career change involved.
Knowing when to start looking for a new job can help you make the job you hate a thing of the past.
Signs It's Time To Start the Job Search
Just having a rough day at work doesn't always mean you need to look for a new job, but several signs can indicate that it is time to brush up your resume and begin contacting hiring managers.
Some of the most common red flags that indicate you might need to find a new job are:
- poor work-life balance
- declining mental health or physical well-being
- no room for career growth
- your company culture is changing or stagnating
- you don't feel appreciated
- you want a different challenge
It's okay to start over even without any of these reasons. Ultimately your career path should be left up to you and changing jobs can happen for many reasons.
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How To Start Over
If you're looking to change jobs there are multiple steps you should take to try to ensure success in finding a new job.
1. Fully Evaluate Your Current Role or Job
Before switching careers, you will want more supporting evidence than just saying 'I hate my job' over and over. Consider what you like and don't like about your current job, this will give you things to look for when it comes to finding new work.
Ask yourself questions like:
- Do I hate my work or do I hate the company?
- What kind of management style do I thrive under?
- What is my dream job?
- To change jobs, do I need to go back to school?
Once you get a better idea of what you want to leave behind and what you want to go to, you'll be better positioned to make the change.
2. Touch Up Your Resume
Before applying to new jobs, you'll want to make sure your resume is up to date. Beyond including relevant experience that has been gained since you last updated your resume, you'll want to make sure that it is formatted properly for some of the tools that recruiters and hiring managers use.
3. Consider Talking to a Career Coach
If you haven't had a job search in a while, or are looking to change careers entirely, it might be a good idea to meet with a career coach. Career coaches can help you:
- fine-tune your resume
- write cover letters
- provide career advice
- provide inside information about various job postings
Although this isn't a required step, it can help guide you to finding your new job.
4. Start Applying for Jobs
After you figure out what you want from your new opportunity, the next step is to start applying. Sites like Indeed and LinkedIn are great places to filter job postings that fit your qualifications.
Questions Answered: Coping with a Job You Hate
It's easy to have questions about hating a job, so it's important to find answers to those questions.
How Soon Is Too Soon To Quit a New Job?
There is no set time that you have to stay in a new position. After a long job interview process, sometimes you feel like the job wasn't what you interviewed for or maybe you learned more about the work environment of your new role. Although it's best to give a new role time before job hopping again, you should never force yourself to stay in a job you don't like or in a toxic company culture.
Is It Normal To Feel Like Giving Up on the First Days at a New Job?
Having 'shift shock' is a normal part of the first day on a new job. It's often overwhelming to learn new company policies, meet new coworkers, and possibly be on the first day of an entirely new career path.
How Long Should You Give a New Job a Chance?
You'll rarely have a deep enough grasp on your new job within the first weeks to know if you should leave. Unless there are obvious red flags or you quickly find yourself in a similar situation as your previous job, it's best to give your new job at least a month or longer to allow yourself to settle in.
Is It Okay To Quit a Job After Two Weeks?
If you're truly feeling like there is no chance of improvement, it is okay to quit a job at any point. However, if you do this often, you might start sending the wrong signals to recruiters. When possible, try to give your new role a longer trial period before looking for your next job.
Can I Resign from a New Job Because of a Company Culture Mismatch?
A company culture mismatch is one of the most valid reasons to resign from a job. Your work environment is almost as essential to enjoying a job as the actual work itself. If you find yourself in a company culture that doesn't align with your values or forces you to compromise on your ethics, it is probably time to move on.
What Are Effective Strategies for Coping with a Job I Hate?
If you are stuck in a job you hate but aren't in a position to pursue a new job, you can employ these strategies to try to make the most of your bad situation:
- Try to reduce the amount of hours you're working by limiting overtime and non-essential work time.
- Think of any benefits of the job for you and your loved ones.
- Use your current position to develop skills that can make you attractive to recruiters.
Trying to make the most of your current job might not last long, but it can often help you bridge the gap between your current role and your next job.
