I’ve Been At My Job For Six Months And Hate It; Should I Quit?

Have you started a new job and realized very quickly that it was an error? (I have.) At one point or another in your career, it is sentenced to happen. You may make a thoughtful, even prayerful decision about finding a job and building a career and still make a mistake. What then?

If the position requires that you violate your personal moral code, the principles of integrity or other values you hold dear, you may simply just have to quit and take your lumps. There are sure things that are just more important than money.

On the other hand, if you simply don’t like the work, can’t stand the loss, or find the commute insufferable, then consider the following ideas for a transition.

1. Don’t quit before you get a new job. Remember, you have a duty not only to yourself but to your family.

2. Quickly and quietly reach out to the company you left (if you’d think going back). It is surprisingly common to see people return to former employers and have successful careers there.

3. Reach out to other companies, you were talking about before you took your current position. If they were impressed, perhaps they’ll be pleased to hear from you.

4. Make sure your profile is owned by date on LinkedIn (linked.In/ht0d), Facebook(in.Feb.Me/3vBg88), Google+ (bit.Ly/lhORdi) and other social media sites, so that if anyone is looking for the skills you’ve got you’re easy to find.

5. Be on your best behavior on-line. Engage actively with your friends and colleagues but always be respectful. Employers are carefully screening shared media to learn about candidates; show them your best self.

6. Bide your time. If reaching out to your past employer and to the people you were considering before taking your current job doesn’t land you a new position, you may wish to simply bide your time until you’ve clocked a year on the job—simply to establish your ability to persevere through a challenge.

7. Be quiet. When you’re really ready to fire up a new job search, be discreet about it. As you talk to people about your search, tell them to keep it confidential.

8. Work your network. If you have a position that enables you to escape for an hour at lunch, make sure you use every day to talk to someone further outside the company. Establish contacts with old friends in an effort to reach. Find out what’s unfamiliar with them. Offer to help. Say that you are looking for a fresh opportunity.

9. Follow up your efforts. JibberJobber (it.Ly/1PGA) is a website you can use to track all of your networking, resumes sent, responses, interviews, etc.
10. Don’t be discouraged. Remind yourself every day that everyone who ever looked for a job, heard “no” plenty of times. A “no” doesn’t mean you are unemployable—you’ve got a job. A “no” doesn’t mean you’re ugly, dumb, or poorly educated. A “no” generally just means they don’t have an open position. Keep your head up and keep looking.

When you have to get to work every day at a job you hate, keep in mind that things could be worse. You could be trying to find a job without having one at all. A crummy job is generally better than no job—and a good job is likely just around the corner.