How To Tell If You’re in the Wrong Job
Work, work, work…
Almost everyone will have a job at some point in their life. Usually, it’s just a matter of time. After finishing university or starting your professional journey even earlier, you’re likely to join a community of employees in one industry or another. Although it might not feel that way initially, you must recognise that there is a wide range of job opportunities to choose from, and the choice is ultimately up to you. However, it isn’t always an easy choice to make.
Getting a job is a success, but it is also important that you feel the job is right for you. Otherwise, over time, you will grow tired, irritated, or even spiteful because you will not feel happy with the choices you might have made and stuck to throughout the years. To avoid such a future, it is best to recognise when the job is wrong for you, before time and the workload takes its toll.
In this brief article, I will invite you to consider a 7 signs that might mean you’re in the wrong job, and offer some pieces of advice on your next step…
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You’re Longing for the weekend
This symptom accompanies most workers in any area of industry and is a soft sign of something going wrong. If you’re like most people, waiting for the weekend might be a simple reminder that you need to slow down and appreciate your after work hours more. It does not necessarily mean you should quit your employment.
If this feeling of weekend-craze is constantly on your mind, you might want to consider some changes. Whether you’re willing to look elsewhere because of this feeling or not, it is important to recognise when it is becoming an obsession, and think about why that might be the case. It can hurt to be in the wrong job, so it’s important to be proactive.
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You feel exhausted and drained
Of course, not every day at a workplace will be an adventurous, wonderful, and joyful one. There ought to be days that make us feel a little worse afterwards, that’s just life. But it should not become a routine. If it is, something is certainly wrong.
As a rule of thumb, think of it every week. How many days in the week do you feel exhausted and drained after your shift? Does it happen often? With your health in a priority position, you should be cautious of the kind of jobs that bring you unhappiness on a daily basis. If that’s already the case, you better start looking for alternatives.
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You lack passion for your job.
A job is, well, just a job. It doesn’t have to be the essence of your life. That is why you should consider how passionate you are about it. Feeling a sense of purpose and fulfilment when doing something worthy is a great situation to find yourself in. If what you’re doing bores you and you feel like you’re wasting time, you might want to consider a change.
For a week, try to recognise the activities and aspects of your employment that make you feel good about doing it, and see if it’s a worthy hassle. If there is nothing there that fills your heart with passion, ask yourself ‘what could’? And take a step to make it happen. Additionally, bringing enthusiasm into your workplace can open up opportunities, as detailed in our piece ‘Why Networking is Important’.
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You’re there for the money
Working on a job should, of course, provide you with the funds your life requires. Moreover, it can easily provide you with enough means to enjoy your free time to its fullest, but it should not be the only reason that motivates you out of your bed each morning.
If your only excuse to keep the job is the pay, you better think again. Over time, money won’t offset all the nibbling struggles and pains that unsuitable employment might bring you.
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You’re seeing no growth
For many, progress equals happiness. Whether you agree with such a statement or not, allowing yourself to stagnate due to your employment arrangements is a bad idea. If you reflect on the time that has passed in your role and don’t feel as though your achievements have been rewarded with meaningful progress, you might need to consider that you’re in the wrong job.
Although this might sound slightly dramatic, it is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle. Are you learning new things? Are you becoming a better person? Are you growing? Asking those questions and answering honestly will help you decide whether the job is still serving you well or not. Alternatively, maybe it’s time to grow by yourself by becoming a digital freelancer.
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You aren’t yourself
Do you feel like being in your workplace makes you a different person? Do you push yourself to act in a way you wouldn’t otherwise? If so, then maybe it is time for a change. This sign can be a harmful one, as many workers fall victim to bringing home their alternate selves and hurting those around them.
No matter what excuses you have, abandoning your personality will bring you plenty of suffering over time. It is better to recognise it early and act swiftly than to let it undermine your feeling of self-worth and integrity.
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You hate it
Now, that’s a big one, which doesn’t need much explanation. How do you think it will affect you going forward? If you think having such strong, negative emotions every working day will make you worse off in the long-term, then that’s a serious red flag.
It might be difficult to admit, but if you do hate your job, then seek out change ASAP. No questions asked.
Embrace the change
Change is a constant. One of the few that life has to offer. If after reading the points above, you feel slightly worried, that’s okay. Now is the time to act and embrace this change.
Remember that what you’re going to choose should ultimately be good for you. You are ‘the master of your ship and the captain of your soul’, so take responsibility for your life and make it work for you. The best way to go about it is to look for the job you’d really like to do while still working for your present employer. Take your time, make a plan, and take the first step. It might be a difficult transition, but it will prove its worth over time.
Before you go, be sure to check out our article ‘How to find a job that will make you happy?’, and find a job that’s right for you. Ever considered pathing your own way in business? Join Revolancer today and benefit from a freelancing marketplace that puts you first.
Freelance marketplace: Revolancer