Comments on: Coping with a Job You Hate

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:43:06 +0000

Jack, thanks for the link, some good advice there. It seems like a lot of people are discontent w/ there jobs.

By: Jack @ Master Your Card

Jack @ Master Your Card — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:10:01 +0000

Great post – I especially liked the bit about identifying what it is that you don’t like about your job. I wrote a similar article on this topic over at Primer Magazine but I focused more on the “exit strategy” angle. I really enjoyed your take on this.

http://www.primermagazine.com/2009/earn/man-up-everyone-hates-their-job

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:36:18 +0000

Andrew, thanks for hilighting some of the tradeoffs. Sadly, mergers, acquisitions, shuffling of senior management is often done without consideration of how it will affect the staff. I’m glad you’re now much happier.

By: Andrew @ Financial Services

Andrew @ Financial Services — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:46:38 +0000

Unfortunately for me, the source of my unhappiness in my previous job was the change in management. I opted for the exit strategy and applied for another job while gracefully attempting to exit. My next job saw a pay cut of around 10% but I never regretted my decision. I’m now much happier in my new job as it allows me more time and less stress, which significantly improved my life overall.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:19:02 +0000

Gail, thank you. I’m really glad Gwen and Bret posted their experiences.

By: Gail

Gail — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:20:54 +0000

Very good suggestions! Thanks for a great post.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:04:56 +0000

Bret, you make a number of good points. Certainly I find myself much less tolerant of a bad situation than I used to be.

You say, “Don’t let one of these selfish companies suck your soul, no matter what they promise you in money or advancement. “ I agree, but I know when your in the midst of having your soul sucked, it can be hard to look think of alternatives.

Good to hear from someone who made it to the other side. Thanks for commenting

By: Bret @ Hope to Prosper

Bret @ Hope to Prosper — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:27:39 +0000

My last job was like this and I started to hate getting up in the morning. The problems were unrealistic deadlines, combined with rude, disorganized and unprofessional management. Since it was a family-owned business and it had been run like this for almost 20 years, I could see that nothing was going to change. It was definitely affecting my personality and my family life.

So, I started a job search and then I quit. It was dicey for a bit, but I now have the best job I have ever had in my career. I also make a lot more money and everybody in my family is much happier. BTW, I recomend getting a new job before quitting. But, they forced an issue with me and I handed them my resignation. Luckily it turned out OK.

The point I wanted to make is that I have had good jobs and bad jobs in my career. And, I now recognize bad jobs quickly and I am less inclined to stick it out and take one for the team. Bad jobs seem to have a couple of things in common; the company is poorly run, they allow personal attacks and unprofessional behavior and they expect the world from employees, while offering very little in return.

Don’t let one of these selfish companies suck your soul, no matter what they promise you in money or advancement. There are plenty of good companies who are looking for talented employees. You will be way better off, if you raise your standards when looking for an employer.

By: Carnival of Personal Finance #230 – New Site Edition - Canadian Finance Blog

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:04:30 +0000

[...] ElizabethG (Modern Gal) from Modern Gal presents Coping with a Job You Hate. [...]

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:12:38 +0000

Gwen, I’m so glad you commented. I find that many people, especially but not exclusively women, find their work environment troubling because one specific person is unpleasant. In many cases, the situation can be improved upon. Thanks for sharing your story. Best of luck in the office and your preparations for grad school.