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Do You Hate Your Job? These Are the 7 Steps You Need to Take

Clark Rubber | News | 5 min read |
Do You Hate Your Job? These Are the 7 Steps You Need to Take

Your alarm rings. It’s 7am on a Monday. How do you feel about going to work? 

If the thought of another week at your current job fills you with dread, it may be time to move on. 

Read on to figure out if you hate your job (and what to do next).

Step One: Figure out WHY you hate your job


If you feel like your current job is leaving you dissatisfied, you’ll need to figure out why.

You’re not alone if you’ve dreamed about quitting in a blaze of glory (or a quiet email over the weekend), but unless you identify *why* you hate your job, there’s a good chance you’ll end up in another role that leaves you feeling the same way.

Try to look for objective reasons you’re no longer motivated, such as:

  • Inappropriate management
  • Unsatisfactory compensation
  • Zero opportunities for career progression

CLARK RUBBER TIP: Realising your job has lost its appeal isn’t a sign you should necessarily quit. Start by talking to your manager if you feel like you need more of a challenge, or you’re having issues with your company culture.


Step Two: Consider other potential career options


You’ve made the decision to pull the pin and head out for greener pastures; great.

But where are you going to go?

It’s common for people to get confused while choosing a new direction, so look to simplify this process. Instead of jumping on SEEK.com and comparing hundreds of job openings, ask yourself the following questions:

  • What am I passionate about?
  • What is my professional skill set?

A fulfilling career will typically fall at the intersection of these two answers. 

For example, if you’re passionate about outdoor living and your skill set lies in leadership and management, then opening a franchise would tick your boxes and offer you the type of fulfillment your previous job was lacking.


Step Three: Don’t burn your bridges


You never know who you’ll run into in the future, so it’s best not to leave on bad terms.

The connections you’ve built in your current job might come in handy down the line, so be careful about what you say and who you say it to. Even if your previous working experience wasn’t enjoyable or your relationship with your boss soured, take the high road and stay professional.

Networking is a valuable skill, so finish up on a positive note and keep your LinkedIn and phone contacts on your good side.


Step Four: Expand your skill set


Changing jobs isn’t easy.

If you’re looking to move sideways and switch to a new career, you may need to bone up on a few skills to help you stand out and make a smooth transition.

The skills you want to improve will fall into the category of ‘hard skills’, which are skills you bring to the table that have practical application in a certain industry. For example, coding. If you’re looking to get into web development, you’ll need coding as a hard skill.

These are contrasted by ‘soft skills’ which are more broad, and valuable in all industries. For example, time management or problem-solving skills which will help you no matter what industry you end up in.

You’ve probably got plenty of soft skills, but consider improving your hard skills through:

  • Online Courses
  • TAFE Degrees
  • University Short Courses
  • Open Learning Platforms

The more you fill your CV with hard skills, the more likely you are to find (and thrive) in a new role.

CLARK RUBBER TIP: Remember to match your hard skills with your passions. There’s no value in getting a certification for a skill or job that doesn’t motivate you.


Step Five: Consider a side hustle


While it’s easy to daydream about handing in your notice and waking up tomorrow with no responsibilities, this may leave you in financial stress.

No job can feel empowering, but no money to pay your bills isn’t nearly as fun.

Starting a side hustle can help solve your job woes in two ways. 

Firstly, you’ll have a little extra income to make sure you can pay your bills and keep food on the table. And secondly, you may be able to leverage your side hustle into a full-time gig - either by expanding your business or by using your side hustle to stand out in the eyes of future employers.


Step Six: Become your own boss


If your boss was the cause of your unhappiness then there’s a simple fix to avoid running into the same problem at your next job…

Become your own boss!

Starting a business may seem like a major leap from your previous role, but with the explosion in profitable franchises across Australia (with an estimated 90,612 franchise businesses from coast to coast) you can tap into an existing business model, loyal customer base, and trusted brand name.

The only thing you need to bring is a willingness to learn, and a strong work ethic.

Buying a franchise is like buying a business in a box, or a turnkey house. Everything is done for you so you can skip the hassle of building a business from the ground up and start enjoying each day at work.


Step Seven: Resign respectfully


You only get one life, and if you’re not feeling happy or fulfilled at your current job, there’s nothing wrong with resigning and looking for a job that gives you what you need.

Make sure to provide two to four weeks notice (although your job may require specific timeframes, so be sure to speak to your manager), and be open to training a replacement.

Then, with the job you hate in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to go out and start a new adventure.