The Anti 9-to-5 Guide » Can this job be saved? How to know when it’s time to go

Can this job be saved? How to know when it’s time to go

October 12th, 2007

Here’s my latest article on PayScale. Enjoy…

We’ve all been there. Sunday night rolls around and suddenly we’re covered with hives. Or we find ourselves frantically searching WebMD for some exotic new disease to call in sick with the next morning. Or we begin entertaining “kill the boss” fantasies that rival the pink-collar revenge scenes in the movie “Nine to Five.”

But suffering from a chronic case of the Mondays doesn’t necessarily mean you should dust off your resume and start looking for greener pastures. Some workplace woes are fixable. The trick is knowing which ones — and how to mend them.

The magic is gone
So you’ve been at your job a couple years and now you’re bored. Or frustrated. Or disgruntled. Sound familiar? It’s possible you’ve just fallen into the age-old workplace habit of griping for griping’s sake, says Cynthia Shapiro, author of Corporate Confidential: 50 Secrets Your Company Doesn’t Want You to Know — And What to Do About Them.

Instead of pissing and moaning, Shapiro advises, try to tap into what you originally appreciated about your gig and company. If you come up empty, take a long, hard look at your job: Has it changed for the worse since you started? Has the company? Have you changed, perhaps outgrowing the work? If the answer’s yes to any of these, it’s indeed time fly like the wind.

“I hate my boss” syndrome
Sure, a lot of bosses are crummy managers, but only a small percentage of them are sociopathic misanthropes. “If your boss looks like he’s terrible, it’s probably just that you’re terrible at managing up,” says Penelope Trunk, author of Brazen Careerist: The New Rules for Success.

The solution, says Trunk, is to tell your boss what you need to succeed in your job — be it more lead time on deadlines or more backup when the workload’s piled sky high. But remember, it’s not all about you. It’s about supporting your boss and doing a bang-up job so that she impresses her superiors. Keep your boss happy and you hold the keys to the kingdom.

“I think my boss hates me” syndrome
But what if you are doing a heckuva job, only to be snubbed when your boss hands out the plum projects, pay raises, and promotions? Maybe you’re constantly getting the difficult clients dumped in your lap. Or your job title’s changed so many times your coworkers have no idea what you do anymore. Or you just received a poor performance review, seemingly out of the blue.

If no matter how hard you shine, you’re ignored or sidelined by management, it’s time to wake up and smell the pink slip. “That is not just job ennui,” says Shapiro. “That is danger — you’re in the exit lane.” And while it may be tempting to sulk, your focus should on looking for a new employer. Pronto.

Want more? Read the rest of the article here.

Entry Filed under: Overworked and underpaid, My articles

5 Comments Add your own

1. Rebecca | October 12th, 2007 at 8:30 am

Great article, I’m so glad I left my job, I suffered from all three: the magic is gone, “I hate my boss” syndrome, and “I think my boss hates me” syndrome!
2. boo | November 15th, 2007 at 5:07 pm

“try to tap into what you originally appreciated about your gig and company”

Did I ever like anything about the company to begin with? I have never been offered a job I wanted and contrary to popular belief bad companies are always hiring to fill miserable high turnover positions. I think most folks who are unhappy with their jobs simply appreciate a steady paycheck and the ability to go to the doctor without taking out a loan.

“tell your boss what you need to succeed in your job”

What about asking to do a different job in the company that you actually want to do? People get stuck in jobs they hate because they can’t get on the job training and the resume experience to do what they really want to do later. If no one will give you a chance to do something you like with on the job experience, how will you get your foot in the door to get that better job later? Companies these days are cross training averse and its not likely a person will get a lateral move to a department with projects they like.

“That is not just job ennui,” says Shapiro. “That is danger — you’re in the exit lane.” And while it may be tempting to sulk, your focus should on looking for a new employer. Pronto.

This is the best statement of all and is the only one that rings true
3. french panic | December 4th, 2007 at 10:35 am

Sunday night hives? In the past few months, I’ve gone from Sunday evening nauseated tummy to Saturday afternoon panic attacks that the weekend is half over to Friday evening “crap. I have to come back here in 2 days.”

yep, need a change. yep, been planning it for a while (yep, got your book!). my daily crying jags have now become somewhat sporadic (haven’t had one in a week! wooooo!) but it’s still super tough to maintain some sort of perspective.

Thank you for all the tips and encouragement in your blog and in your book!
4. Michelle Goodman | December 4th, 2007 at 10:54 am

FP, ugh. so sorry to hear it. i’m glad you’re feeling encouraged and i hope you dig the book. here’s to your great escape!
5. A Lost Writer | February 11th, 2008 at 2:45 am

I’m smelling the pink slip like never before! I think my boss has lost his marbles, I think he feels I have no contribution to make to help the firm progress (although I do keep things going) and the magic went away six months ago. I’m performing a couple of critical functions so I’m safe for now. And yes, I’m searching for another job. Hope I can find one soon. I’m not in a position to quit coz I have a family to feed.
Hope to read your book soon.