Are You in the Wrong Job?

The wrong job can seriously curtain your career development. You can’t move your professional life forward, and you make yourself miserable in the meantime. The problem? It’s sometimes hard to tell when you’re in the wrong job.

A bad job is like a bad relationship. It can go on for years and, when it’s over, you end up asking yourself, “why did I do that for so long?”

But there are warning signs. There are aspects of your job you can identify that help you figure out whether or not the position truly fits into your long-term development.

With that in mind, here are a few signs that you might be in the wrong job:

You Dread Going to Work

You hit snooze as many times as possible in the morning. Every Sunday, you feel a growing pit in your stomach as it gets closer to Monday morning. You get to work exactly on time and leave right when it’s time to quit. Those are all signs that you are in the wrong job.

Your work should fill you with excitement and anticipation. A negative feeling toward it might signify you need a change.

The Day Passes Slowly

When you love your work, there never seems to be enough time. You arrive at nine, and the next time you look at the clock, it’s already past five. That’s a job you know engages you on a deep level.

If the opposite is true, you’re probably in the wrong position.

You’ve Stopped Learning

You build a career by constantly developing your skills. If you get stuck in a rut, constantly repeating the same tasks over and over, your professional life will never evolve to its next phase.

Don’t stick with the job you have today if you aren’t building skills for tomorrow.

You Clash with Your Boss

You might not always love your boss. Even in a constructive working environment, annoyance or frustration with management is common. However, you shouldn’t routinely plot open rebellion. To put it mildly, that’s a bad sign.

If your relationship with your boss has become unprofessional or openly toxic, you should consider moving on. At the very least, look into the possibility of switching teams. A new supervisor might go a long way to improve your opinion of the job.

You Don’t Get Along With Your Coworkers

Team dynamics can get touchy. Personalities don’t always mesh. We get that. But, we aren’t talking a single coworker here. You shouldn’t quit just because you don’t like an individual or because of an isolated conflict.

We’re talking about a more pervasive problem here. We’re talking about a situation where you have an entire group of coworkers that don’t seem to be on the same page as you. If you’re having trouble finding common ground with the majority of your coworkers, you might be in the wrong situation.

Your General Health Suffers (Including Your Mental Health)

A bad environment will run you down. Facing a job, you don’t want day after day will eventually take a physical and mental poll.

If you notice that you are calling in sick a lot, that’s a bad sign. Or if you are suffering anxiety, or even more serious mental health issues, you should take a close look at the situation.

The Job Doesn’t Fit Your Long-Term Plans

Picture where you want to be ten years from now. How does your current job help you get there? If you can’t give a clear answer to that question, you’re probably in the wrong place.

Getting out of a bad professional situation can be tricky. You don’t want to switch to another dead-end job. By teaming with a strong recruiting partner, like SmartTalent, you open yourself up to the best opportunities available.

Looking for a great job in Washington State?

Contact SmartTalent today to find out how they can put you in the ideal position for your skills and personality.

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