“I hate my job” What to do When you Hate your Job

My first full time job after college was in a toxic work environment. When my alarm blared every morning, one of my first thoughts was always, “Ugh, I hate my job.”

It’s terrible when you hate your job, especially because you know you’re a kickass hard worker who’d do much better in a job they’re passionate about.

That’s why I’m here to teach you what to do when you hate your job. I want to help you find a job that sets your soul on fire, because you deserve it!

So, let’s dive into what steps you should take when you start thinking, “I hate my job.”

Remember you’re not alone

First, take a deep breath and remind yourself you’re not alone and this isn’t permanent. You’re not the first person to think, “Oh shit, I hate my job.” You’re also not stuck in this job forever: you can and will find another job.

Did you know over 80% of jobs are on the hidden market? That means they’re only found with networking! Sign up for my free training to network with confidence and transform your career!

Once you start using the right strategies, you’ll find a new job in no time. And, if that job starts to sour, you’ll know how to easily transition to another one.

No job has to be permanent, so keep in mind throughout this process that you ARE capable of finding and excelling in another job!

Add self-care to your workday

When you hate your job, the first thing you need to do is add self-care to your work routine. Whether it’s squeezing in 5 minutes of journaling between meetings or taking a 20 minute walk during your lunch break, you need to take care of yourself.

Yes, you’re at work and being paid, but you’re still a human. And that has to come first. YOU come before any company or profit margin. So, take some time to plan how you’re going to add self-care to your workday.

This will give you checkpoints to look forward to during the day and make it easier to get through. Then, after work, take time for some longer self-care activities, like baking, watching movies, or doing yoga.

Whatever you do, make sure you prioritize your mental health when you hate your job. You’re too important to not! And, it’ll make it easier to focus on getting tf out of that job!

Still confused about how to add self-care to your workday? Check out these unique ideas!

Find the root of the problem

There’s a reason you’ve started thinking, “I hate my job.” It didn’t come out of nowhere, so it’s time to dig into what the problem really is.

Is your boss terrible? Are the working conditions unfair? Have you lost your passion for this field?

Once you figure out the problem with the job you hate, you’ll know what direction to go in next. If you love your field but not your company, then look for jobs at other companies in the same field. If you hate this industry but don’t know what to pivot to, start to explore other careers (we’ll talk more about that in a minute!)

 

You need to identify what exactly you hate about your job, so you don’t end up getting another one with the same issues. Maybe you already know, or maybe you need some time to journal out the answer. After you address the reason(s) you hate your job, it’s time to work on changing them!

Do you know it’s def time to quit your job? Then check out my guide on how to write a resignation letter!

Network, network, network!

This is HUGE. If you’ve ever wondered how people land unique, amazing jobs at great companies, it’s probably because they networked.

Now, I know what you might be thinking, “I don’t have any fancy connections.” Here’s the best kept secret of the professional world: You DO have connections, you just haven’t started using them.

If you’re part of a family, a high school or college graduate, or a former employee, then you have plenty of connections. Every adult you’ve ever met has connections, so your job is to get them to share them with you.

Reach out to your family members, past professors, or coworkers and ask if they know anyone in the city or field(s) you’re in/considering. You won’t know if your aunt’s college roommate’s brother’s fiance works for your dream company unless you ask.

Dip your toe into the world of professional networking by connecting with people your immediate network knows. If you’re a little confused by how this whole networking thing works, check out my free training on networking with confidence!

Explore other fields/jobs

If the reason you’ve been saying (or screaming), “I hate my job” is because you’ve lost your passion for the field or position you’re in, then it’s time to explore!

That’s right, you need to pull a Dora the Explorer and start learning more about other possible industries or jobs.

The best way to start is researching other possible fields, listing them out, and then using LinkedIn or your school’s alumni directory. Look up alum who work in the fields you’re considering and send them an outreach email to ask about doing an informational interview.

An informational interview is when you ask them questions about their career and journey. At the end, ask if you can shadow them at work or talk to another employee to get a different job’s perspective.

After your interview, keep in touch, be polite and professional, and they will (hopefully) reach out when they hear about open positions!

Yes, that’s a quick networking tutorial! Even though it sounds intimidating, it’s really just having mutually beneficial conversations! 

If that still scares the shit outta you (believe me, I get it), then check out my free training on networking with confidence!

 

Start a job search

When you hate your job, the obvious thing to do is start a job search. Networking is definitely the best way to find a high quality job, but it’s not always the fastest.

While you’re growing your network with confidence, you should also start searching for and applying to other jobs. Sometimes, just finding a less toxic job- even if it’s not your “dream job”- is good enough. Then, while you do that, grow and use your network to find the job you’re really passionate about.

I know when you’re saying “I hate my job,” you don’t want to spend a ton of time still working it. So, check out these expert tips to speed up your job search– they will definitely help you get outta there faster!

Talk to coworkers

Finally, when you hate your job, sometimes it really helps to talk to your coworkers. Make sure you trust the people you’re talking to and never get too unprofessional, because you don’t want to risk losing your job.

However, talking to coworkers can be transformative for a few reasons. If they’re experiencing the same issues with your workplace- especially if they involve unfair or illegal working conditions- then it’s important you come together.

You, as a worker, have rights, but companies think they have the power to infringe on them in the name of profit. If your workplace uses language like “We’re a family” to pressure you to work longer hours or do free labor, your rights are being violated.

Banding together with your coworkers is how you build the power you need to take on unjust working conditions. If you love everything else about your job except the people you work for or the way you’re treated, then consider joining or forming a union with your coworkers.

You deserve fair working conditions and you have the power to demand them with your coworkers- I believe in you!

When you start saying “I hate my job,” there are a few strategies to get outta there ASAP. First, remember you’re not alone and add self-care to your work routine. Then, identify the problem(s) with your job, start networking, explore other fields or positions, and start a job search. Finally, if it’s safe, talk to your coworkers about the working conditions and consider unionizing. 

Remember: your job doesn’t have to be permanent! You deserve a healthy workplace that helps you thrive, not just survive. Go out there and get it!

Did you know over 80% of jobs are only found through networking? Discover your dream career with my free training on networking with confidence! Just press the button to transform your career!