Unhappy with your job/career? Welcome to the club. With deadlines, bosses, fatigue and salaries that don't quite measure up, generation x-ers are opting out. The entrepreneurial spirit has manifested itself in the 20-45 age range. We are not the factory workers our parents were who do their jobs with their heads down and ask no questions.
So, what to do about the job you hate? Change it. Yes it's that simple. Not always a pleasant process but once the transition is complete and you are in a position you are more comfortable with, it will all be worth it.
Negotiate Up Front: Most people are so concerned with whether or not they'll get the job that they don't consider if they really want the job. Look at all the aspects of the job, the hours, salary, duties, co-workers, environment among other things. How comfortable is your chair? How flexible with work/life balance is your employer? Are the people currently employed there happy? How long have they been there?
When you began dating, although worried whether the “date” would find you appealing, you were more concerned with whether you would find the “date” appealing, if you didn't, you simply moved on. If you decided, however, to try this “date” out for awhile because it seemed to fit, down the road if it went awry would you stay? With that in mind, treat job hunting like dating. There are a lot of dates and a few steadies before you find that perfect fit. Keep in mind, you are not married to your job, you don't owe them anything. You do a job for which they pay you, both parties receive something.
You Take A List: Prospective employers often have a list of questions and qualifications you must meet. Take your own list of questions and qualifications on the interview. A good employer will appreciate that you have taken the extra time to determine whether or not you'll be happy there, and not waste any more of either person's time if you won't.
Last, how progressive is your prospective employer. No matter how wonderful the environment, the people and the pay, if you are taking a step back technologically you have to re-evaluate. Say you are on this dream job for six years and very happy with it, you employer dies, retires, develops a medical condition, and you find yourself back in the job hunt. How marketable will you be if you have been in a technologically stagnant atmosphere? If you are not up to date with database features, software and Internet advances then you will be at the back of the line and no longer in the perfect bargaining position.
Have fun, don't take everything so seriously and remember, you don't like everyone, so chances are, everyone doesn't like you, it's not personal, just life, get on with it.
