Job hunting is stressful, and never so stressful when you have bills to pay, and no money coming in. It’s not just a financial worry, it strains your mental wellbeing and your sense of self worth, too. To be employed, at the very least, gives a sense of independence, usefulness and productivity. No shit, Sherlock, you might say. But in a world in which Universal Credit and benefits are treated by some as a wage from a career they are fairly cosy in, being employed feels to some like a choice between taking money away from others who need those benefits more, or having that feeling at the end of the day when you can put your feet up, knowing you’ve earned it.
But there comes a time in so many jobs that many of us often dread; the knowledge that we need to move on. Maybe it’s boring, or dead end, or it just doesn’t pay enough anymore. And while having a secure income during the pandemic has felt more and more like a privilege, this imposing shadow might only grow as the world begins to open up. I write this blog now, as this is currently what I’m going through. For around 9 months now, I’ve been experiencing what I can only define as anxiety around my job; there’s no chance of advancement, and, to me, it doesn’t feel like I’m contributing anything to society beyond my taxes. I’m not helping anyone in the way that I want to, and instead I sit for around eight hours a day wondering what the hell I’m doing.
So what’s stopping me from moving on? Nothing at all. Besides, in fact, job security. Today, that is a biggy. Not all of us can afford to chase our dream careers. Me? I want to be a counsellor. But in my neck of the woods, training and education beyond my degree and level four diplomas would take me out of work for more time than my managers would allow. I would need whole days to travel to a university an hour’s train ride away for lectures and placements and no earnings. Where I live, unless you want a career in finance, it’s very difficult to find anything.
But that doesn’t mean you should dismiss those concerns. So, what are the signs?
- Listlessness – listelessness, or boredom, or just absolute disinterest in your job is a red flag. This might be borne from a dull and monotonous task, a feeling that you’re not getting any closer to what you want to achieve, or frustration with work colleagues who seem to think that one mistake means the difference between life or death, even though it doesn’t.
- You can’t think of anything you like about it – at work, it’s not just the task in hand to think about. It’s the building, it’s the perks, it’s the colleagues. You spend more time with these people than most, maybe even anyone. That’s one terrifying thought, particularly if you’re not a fan. Maybe one of them has an annoying voice, while such and such over the way talks way too loudly about her personal life, and the guy behind you is too keen on telling everyone how educated and well connected he is socially. It might not be anything at all, and they might simply be lovely people who just don’t tickle your fancy. Work isn’t about making friends, but you spend around a third of your day with these people, so you may as well like them
- Any other job seems to have more purpose – There’s tons of jobs out there, some more desirable than others. That’s just how it is. But if they mostly seem like something else you’d sooner do because they tick a box that is presently unticked, don’t be too hasty. The grass isn’t always greener, but it’s worth the peek.
- Anything seems like it would be better than this – I once had a job that was so awful, I would look out of the window and envy the people sat outside on a bench, going about their day, simply because they didn’t work in this place. I left after three months with no job lined up, but it was the right thing to do. I do feel like I did myself a disservice by not walking out with my bag or calling in during my lunch of watching the ducks, but alas, when you’re favouring watching the ducks over work, maybe you should rethink your path.
- Anxiety – anxiety over going into work is not normal, and it shouldn’t be normalised. If you believe that your work is triggering it, have a word with your manager. But, don’t expect it to go away just like that. If you hate your job so much, or you’re simply so bored with it that it triggers anxiety attacks, take yourself away from the situation and nip it in the bud. I don’t mean quit, but mental health sick days need to be encouraged if they are ever going to be accepted as just as essential as actual sick days. No job that doesn’t feel important to you is worth making yourself sick over.
There are tons of other signs to look out for, because they are personal to you. The above are only my personal experiences. But what can you do in this situation? It’s always scary to make that choice to move on, but theres a way to go about it. If you’re having doubts about your employment, have a word with your immediate superior and let them know that you’re thinking about looking for another job. If you have that kind of relationship, they will only respect your openness for being so honest. Keeping your CV up to date can give you the sense of worth that you may have forgotten from months or years of doing the same thing over and over. We’re constantly learning new skills, and remember to include an ‘about me’ section, because not everything is learned on the job. Also, if you’re on the fence about leaving your job despite your reservations, volunteering might be for you.
Good luck!
Paint a Mental Picture 