Hate Your Job? Learn How To Reassess Your Career

When you start hating your job, it can be hard to know what to do to change. Our experts share how to re-assess your job skills, career goals, and determine how to move forward.

• Assess your situation. Start by asking yourself what you like and don't like about your role. Make two lists and write it down. Is the problem to do with your tasks and responsibilities? Or is your low job satisfaction more to do with a difficult boss or coworker? If the problem is really your duties, try taking a career assessment questionnaire or seeking out the help of a career consultant. These can help you identify roles in other industries that you may not have considered. If the problem is your boss, you may solve the issue by simply transitioning to into another department or into another role within the organization. 
• Have a career conversation with your manager. What does she recommend for regaining your job satisfaction? Ask what she values in your job performance and skill mix. Your boss should also be able to help you understand how you fit into your organization and where to go for more training to make yourself more valuable to the company. Even if your organization does not have a budget to invest in your training, there are many options available - such as free online webinars or articles/blogs/vlogs or paid services that can put you in touch with professional career coaches that have expertise in your field. 
• Identify your purpose. Take a step back and assess how your job skills and career goals align with the causes you're most passionate about outside of work. Is it time to move into nonprofit work or a role that supports the ideals you care most about? If that's not an option, consider volunteering outside of work to help you fulfill that personal passion. 
• Seek out new ways to work. Today a growing number of people are opting for alternative models of work. Shark Tank celebrates entrepreneurship. Companies like Uber make it easy for people to work when they want, without being tied down to a desk. And the Googles of the work promote a culture of flexible work, where employees can telecommute from the local coffee shop or log in from home. If you have considerable experience at your job and want more autonomy, consider gig work, a consulting practice, or moving to a company that allows telecommuting.