Most people only get jobs they hate in order to survive… but is that really the only way?

The truth is that you probably hate your job and really want to quit. It’s nothing to be ashamed of and a lot of people feel the same. But realistically, that’s probably not the best or smartest thing you can do.

You really shouldn’t suddenly quit your job on the spur of the moment. 

But what should you do if that’s the case? Here’s some ideas about what you should do when you don’t want to work anymore.

Figure out how you can make your job more bearable.  

There’s no doubt that this option will take a ton of discipline on your part. However, it’s usually a better idea if you can tough it out and make your job bearable instead of just quitting out of the blue. 

Consider talking to your boss and asking them how you can make your job more manageable. This is a daunting task for most workers but if you were thinking about quitting anyway, then there’s not much for you to lose in this case. Work out something with your boss and compromise on things like deliverables and deadlines to potentially improve your work life significantly. 

If talking to your boss isn’t an option or ends up just flat out failing, try and talk with your coworkers or acquaintances for support. If your coworkers are willing and able, ask them for help with your workload or problems with your job. Then, if that doesn’t work, consider asking for help from your acquaintances who have knowledge in your field of work. That is as long as your job and boss allow outside help.  

If the pressure from your job is unbearable and there’s no immediate solution, consider taking up a calming hobby. For example, yoga and tai chi have been shown to decrease stress levels for pretty much anyone who does them. Adult colouring books have also been shown to help working adults deal with stress.

Keep an open mind for this one; Try practising mindfulness and meditation. Mindfulness involves focusing on your breath flow and being present with your feelings. Concentrating on clearing your mind is the main goal of meditation. Doing a combination of these things will help relieve at least some of your stress and frustration that comes from your job.

The last piece of advice we have is to take care of your health. Having a healthy body and mind will help get you through a lot, even a less than ideal job. Make sure you’re getting regular amounts of exercise throughout the week and are getting at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night.

While the strategies mentioned can improve your work experience, they aren’t foolproof solutions. If that’s the case then you should…

Look for something better… while working at the job you already have. 

If you really can’t stand the job you’re working anymore, then you should definitely quit. No job is worth that kind of mental and physical strain. 

That being said, the smart thing to do would be to look for work while you’re still working at your job instead of quitting without having anything lined up. Most employers definitely don’t like it when you do this so you need to be careful doing it. However, it’s well within your rights to look for better work elsewhere and this is especially true if your current job treats you badly. 

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Here’s some tips that’ll help make it easier for you to look for better work while you’re working at your current job.

• Don’t talk to your coworkers about your job hunt in case they’re rats that’ll tell your employer about your job hunt.
• Keep your LinkedIn profile up to date for recruiters and potential employers.
• Be 100% clear on the job and type of work you’re looking for so that you don’t jump from one job you hate to another job you hate.
• To actively manage your job search alongside your current workload, you need to become more efficient with your time.
• Do not post your resume on job boards otherwise your current employer might catch you in the act.
• Do some networking and get in touch with recruiters who can help find a job that fits you.
• Do not use your work computer or work phone while you’re job hunting.
• Do not post about wanting to leave work or looking for work on your social media accounts since your coworkers or employers might see it.
• Do not browse for jobs while you’re working your office hours at your current job. Many people make a grave mistake: they do it without thinking and then get chewed out by their bosses.
• Always check for missed calls, emails and other messages from recruiters or potential employers. You don’t want to miss opportunities because you weren’t careful with checking your phone.
• Make sure to take your job hunting related calls away from the office. Be more discreet in your job search this time.
• Make sure to schedule your job interviews outside of your office hours. If you can’t do this, make sure you have time off prepared just in case of anything.
• Don’t give off obvious signs that you’re looking for work elsewhere while you’re working your current job. Don’t check out of your work responsibilities and don’t wear interview clothes to work for starters!
• Be honest with recruiters and potential employers. They’ll probably want to know exactly why you’re looking for another job while you’re still working at one and you need to be honest about why that’s the case.
• This should be obvious but use your former employers as references instead of your current employers. If your current boss gets called as a reference out of the blue, it probably won’t go well for you.
• Politely ask that your recruiters and prospective employers be discreet about your hiring until everything is set in stone.
• Once you have a new job lined up and confirmed, be professional with your current employers. Hand in your two weeks notice instead of surprising them and your coworkers. 

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Closing 

Hopefully you found the advice and tips in this article helpful. We really do hope that your situation gets better if you’re not doing so well at your job. Remember to stay positive and that there’s always a solution to all of your problems!

Even if that solution is to quit and look for better things elsewhere.