Are you in the right job?

We spend on average a third of our lives at work, so it’s vital we’re in a job which creates fulfilment, motivation and satisfaction resulting in deeper connection within our personal lives.

If you’re not in a fulfilling career, it will affect your whole life.

As a recruiter, I have learnt a lot about why people leave jobs and how to avoid being trapped in a job you hate.

How do you know you’re in the wrong job?

Sunday night dread

You’ve just had an amazing weekend with your spouse, friends and family. 7pm on Sunday night appears and that dreaded feeling of prepping for the week creeps in, your mood changes, you start to feel anxious, frustrated and discontent. Is this how you want to live? Why do we accept this? I believe we should fit work into our lifestyle and not the other way around, we should work to live and not live to work.

No work/life harmony

You’ve just received a huge pay-check, have huge plans with how you want to spend and invest your money. Your partner is planning on the next renovation to the house. You don’t see your partner, family and friends often because you’re in the office late, on business trips and in hotels more than your own house. You do all this work, to pay for a house/car/lifestyle you don’t get to enjoy. Is it worth it?

No career trajectory

You’ve landed a new role, pay rise and flexible working. You’re excited to start and excel in your first 6 months. After 6 months you have a realisation, there is weak leadership and this role isn’t going to take you in the direction you’ve set for your career. Will you get to your goal any quicker? No.

Not paid your worth

Money isn’t the be-all and end-all of job satisfaction but depending on where you’re in life it’s vital you’re paid your worth. If you’re paid 20–30k on average less than your peers in different companies, you’ll fall behind and be playing catch up for the rest of your career. The average pay-rise is circa ￡5–10k when you move companies. If you’re making someone else richer, you may as well get paid your worth to help build for your future!

General dissatisfaction

If you go home most evenings, feeling frustrated, angry and discontent with your role it’s time to change.

“For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And whenever the answer has been ‘No’ for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.” — Steve Jobs.

Ok, Tom, How can I get more satisfaction from my job?

Build a strategy.

Don’t think too much into the future, but start taking into consideration when looking for a job.

• Leadership — will you be able to learn? Everyone wants/needs to be around inspiring people to up their game.
• Culture — Are the company highly rated to work for? Check Glassdoor, ask people who used to work there via LinkedIn or other forums.
• Work/Life harmony — Take into account travel to work, flexible working, meaningful work you’ll be doing, office environment, does this job make your life better all around?
• Money — are you getting paid what you’re worth?
• Will this job help you get where you want to be? — Have a flexible career timeline and execute it.
• Will they invest in your future? — courses, meet-ups, conferences etc.

A great place to work is vital for our mental health and overall health.

Don’t be sloppy and just accept your fate. Do something about it.