Many people get stuck in jobs because of necessity, convenience or both. They’re not happy, but with the economy like it is these days, it’s not always smart to give up a paying job. This is especially true if you’ve got benefits such as health insurance with the job. There are ways to get out of a job you hate and into a career you’ll love.
Try some of the following:
Figure out why you’re not happy with your job. Is it the work you do or is it your boss, salary, co-workers, or office environment? Just because you hate WHERE you work doesn’t mean you hate your actual WORK. Knowing the answer to this question lets you know what direction to take.
Discover your passion. Ask yourself what you love doing above all else. List the top 3 activities that you love most. Be realistic and select activities you may be able to make money with.
Assess your strengths as in what you do the best. Think about everything; not only technical skills. Decide if you like following or leading, simplifying or analyzing, or alone or in a group.
Do your research into what careers will let you use what you love and what you’re good at to make a decent income.
Look into alternatives to jobs. Many people decide to start their own businesses when they get tired of their jobs. Turn your passions into the career of your dreams.
Create a game plan. When you’ve decided what you want to do, it’s time to figure out what to do to accomplish it. Decide what you need to do, how long it will take, and how much it’s going to cost. It’s always better not to quit your current job until your new career is in place.
Get the help you need. It’s amazing how much people like being helpful once you’ve told your plans to them. Ask for advice from family, friends, professionals and online forums. Network as much as possible.
When you follow these steps, you’ll soon find yourself on the path to having the career of your dreams, or at least one that you’ll actually enjoy working at. Life’s too short to be miserable especially when you must work to support yourself. You may as well like your work.