I hate my Job!!!

Pinkpenguin

Hi all,

I'm sure the title of my thread is a feeling which alot of people on this board can relate to but I feel like I am coming to the end of my tether and would appreciate a)guidance or b) reassurance that i'm not going mad....

My background is that I have studied at University for 4 years spending roughly £25,000 in total to accomplish my dreams of becoming a solicitor. 2 years after finishing my studies I have found myself in a job linked to my desired career but not nearly as close as where I would hope to be now. I am practising a really boring area of law that I have absolutely no interest in and I feel like I am losing my mind. I understand that not everyone enjoys what they do but trust me, this is a REALLY boring area of Law.

I can't get up in the morning because I dread the thought of work, my first thought EVERY DAY is 'shall I call in sick?'. I therefore get into work at least 10 mins late every day and sit on the internet ALL DAY doing as little work as I can get away with. I am treading on very thin ice - although nothing has been said to me about my behaviour as yet I know it is only a matter of time until it is. I am also a deeply ambitious person and my current position has led to me feeling utterly depressed - I just 'cant be bothered' to do anything any more. This transpires to my personal life too - my house is a mess because I cant be bothered to clean, I cant be bothered to go home and visit my parents etc...you get the idea.

This is by no means a tale of 'woe me' but feeling like I have worked for 4 years and got myself into a large amount of debt for nothing is something that I find really hard to take and I really want to do something about it!

I have attempted to apply for two other jobs within the same company I work for but both times I have not been supported by my boss and on one occasion actively discouraged from applying - this managed to completely obliterate what little self-confidence that I had!! I have been looking for other jobs elsewhere and submitted an application today so I am really trying to shake myself out of this.

I am 25 and I just cant continue living like this!!

Any advice from anyone who has been in a similar position would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance you wonderful bunch

PP xx

magenta22

Firstly I am sorry that you are feeling that way about your job but you have a job and consider yourself quite privileged to have one when so many people on this board don't.

Sorry to be sounding harsh but it really irritates me when people moan about their jobs when there are so many people who are out of work through redundancy etc....

Either you have to find some way to enjoy the job or look for something else.

want-it-all

I totally empathise with you hating your job - Lord knows I've been there many times over, in some despicable roles - but I can't sympathise for the way in which you appear to be throwing away an opportunity like this.

Yes, it’s boring, but you’re a practicing solicitor for crying out loud. Whilst this particular strand of law may be undesirable for you right now, are you bound to it in any way? Can you branch out? Even if you can, it’s not going to happen overnight, and maybe won’t happen at all if you mess up your current job and kiss goodbye to any chance of a decent reference.

Practising in a boring area of law is infinitely preferable to not having a job at all. And I don’t mean for that to sound preachy. You’re only 25, and you appear to already have the beginnings of a solid career, boring or not, whilst so many other brilliant graduates are on the scrapheap right now.

And as for the other roles you’ve had/applied for, you manager will only support you if you’re worthy of their time/effort investment. It’s a two-way street.

I wish you all the best, but it doesn’t sound like you’re helping yourself right now. Yes, I understand that depression and such can be serious illnesses, but is it all down to your boring/unpalatable work experiences? If it is, you need to suck it up and get on with it. You need to put in a lot more effort so that your current (or future) manager(s) will appreciate your potential, because it doesn’t sound like you’re a very good investment right now…

lincroft1710

Pinkpenguin wrote: »

I therefore get into work at least 10 mins late every day and sit on the internet ALL DAY doing as little work as I can get away with.

I have attempted to apply for two other jobs within the same company I work for but both times I have not been supported by my boss and on one occasion actively discouraged from applying -

I've juxtaposed these 2 sentences so that you can try and see if there could be a connection! Think! What manager is going to recommend a lazy, bad timekeeper for a better position?

Your attitude and demeanour will not get you anywhere. It may be a boring job, but that is where the new entrant is dumped (sorry, placed). Those who accept this, take it on board, knuckle down, get on with it, show willing, produce good results, will usually get on in the firm and also in life. Those who don't either stay there or are back out in the world of unemployment. From what I read there are far more law graduates than jobs so employers can take their pick and I can't see you having glowing references.

Yes I have been there (well similar) and learnt the hard way.

LadyMissA

Pinkpenguin wrote: »

Hi all,

I am practising a really boring area of law that I have absolutely no interest in and I feel like I am losing my mind. I understand that not everyone enjoys what they do but trust me, this is a REALLY boring area of Law.

I can't get up in the morning because I dread the thought of work, my first thought EVERY DAY is 'shall I call in sick?'. I therefore get into work at least 10 mins late every day and sit on the internet ALL DAY doing as little work as I can get away with. I am treading on very thin ice - although nothing has been said to me about my behaviour as yet I know it is only a matter of time until it is. I am also a deeply ambitious person and my current position has led to me feeling utterly depressed

think how depressed you'd be if you didnt have a job. No one makes anyone take a job and only you can change things so get another one that you may like.

Notmyrealname

Pinkpenguin wrote: »

I am 25 and I just cant continue living like this!!

Any advice from anyone who has been in a similar position would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance you wonderful bunch

PP xx

My brother and sis-in-law both trained to become solicitors. They survived 2 years before their morals would no longer allow them to continue. They're both now teachers.

Horseunderwater

What is the "boring" law sector that you so hate?

jubileee

I can totally relate to your situation - I was in a very similar position myself

The difference was that in my case, I started off in a job I loved but after a time, the company decided they needed to cut costs and that particular job went. I was offered another role, which I accepted because 'it was a job' but ended up with the same feelings as yourself. I also tread that fine line, my sick absence was terrible, I was on the internet all day, etc

I appreciate that some people think any job is a blessing but I found this period in my life soul destroying. Eventually, I realised that I could not continue in the job any longer and thankfully I managed to get another quite quickly

I urge people not to condemn the OP as I know all to well the feelings of dread when Mon morning looms again. To the OP - sorry but in my case the feelings didn't shift and I HAD to get out of that role as it was damaging me as a person

Best of luck to you xx

cmw1212

Sorry you are feeling so low, I looked at a few of your prevoius posts and you sounded like you were feeling more positive... though I know how hard it is at the moment I bet part of you thinks "at least I have a job millions don't" but that does not make you feel better.
Sorry if I'm rambling a bit... have you spoken to any recruitment consultants (specialist legal ones) and are people aware you are in the market for a new position are you on linkedin for example?

dandelionclock30

I've been in this position, I know what its like to really hate your job. If you really hate it, the people who work with you will know as you cant really fully disguise how you feel no matter how hard you try. Its like when a partner isnt into you anymore but doesnt tell you. You just know.
You have two choices really either leave on your terms now or if you can bear it stay and pull out all the stops to get another job.
I personally dont think its a good idea to stay in a job that you detest just to say you have a job.
However,many jobs are boring mundane and horrible,thats the world of work Im afraid.

hawk30

I really do know how you feel, as I was in a similar position myself. Are you sure it is the area of law that is boring you or is it being a solicitor that you dislike? Sometimes the people who struggle are those who are really academic and like the intellectual challenge of the law, because they find that practice is more about procedure and paperwork.

When I was in a similar situation I decided to walk...but this was around 5 years ago when jobs were a little easier to get. It worked for me as I'm now in a job I love, but it's a risk in today's market. And I have to agree that you are not doing yourself any favours by messing around - if you want to stay in law you have to think about your reputation. That said, I really understand the feelings of dread and would suggest that you work at getting yourself out of there as soon as possible.