How do you keep going in a job you hate?

Treehugged

custardy wrote: »

did it when i was at college. like yourself I hated it!

Tell me about it. Nah I've done well to do this for two years.

Maz

Treehugged wrote: »

Tell me about it. Nah I've done well to do this for two years.

2 years?? God, that's a long time to be miserable for the majority of your awake time!

What sort of job would you like and can see yourself being happy in?

Treehugged

Maz wrote: »

2 years?? God, that's a long time to be miserable for the majority of your awake time!

What sort of job would you like and can see yourself being happy in?

Good question. Well I'd worked in the third sector-community development both as a freelance tutor and project manager for over 13 years, but due to funding cuts I found myself redundant in Nov 2009. Hence telemarketing.

However I've been working as a volunteer fundraiser (1 day a week) for a community group for almost a year, just to keep myself in the loop. During my time there I've been writing bids, researching, helped with fundraising events etc. All in all, doing the good stuff that keeps me sane!

So to answer your question: I seem to have wandered into bid writing which makes me very happy. Failing that, back to community development work

TrickyWicky

LavenderLily wrote: »

the management is so rubbish it's making me dread going in! Everyone lives in fear of being pulled up on something because communication is terrible and policies change frequently without us knowing.

The boss is paranoid, he sees conspiracies where there are none, he flies of the handle at any tiny thing and everyone is fearful of him. It's a very tense, dog-eat-dog atmosphere and I hate it. My health has suffered in the year I've worked there and I'm now back on medication for depression.

Sounds like my last workplace and boss. Evil bloke who had a problem with everyone over everything. How did I keep going?.. good question. I guess I've got used to being trampled all over in various jobs so to a point I was used to it. It did come to a head a few times and there would be a blazing row between us which would clear the air but it wasn't long before he'd be recharging his vocal chords.

In short, every job I've had where I've had this **** I've walked out. I've shot myself in the foot every time doing it but its what I've always done when I've reached the point of snap or be snapped.

If you don't want to leave then its a case of hardening up to it and developing a mental barrier between you and the boss. Everytime they try to make something your problem turn it around and make it their problem somehow - they'll soon get fed up with it. It doesn't matter how you do it, pick up on a technicality with the issue at hand OR throw in a completely new issue (eg something about your pay, conditions, contract) anything that will be time consuming for them and a bit of a headache.

Treehugged

That's the thing, if you're so unhappy to the point of dreading going in as was the case with me, you have to think really hard about whether it's worth it. I don;t know you so I don't know your circumstances, but it's always best NOT to walk out of a job and to leave on good terms, because if there's one thing you do need, it's a solid reference. So if you've had enough, give yourself a cut-off date, save as much as you can to see you through the lean months, take your holiday and then resign. Register with loads of agencies!

I know the current job market is shaky and all that but your sanity and well being is important. I also think employers are using the current climate to keep employees in line. It's not that bad and if you keep at it you'll find something.