| Fish Out of Water Q: "I started a new job at a web design agency a few months ago and, so far, it's not what I expected. I have both good and bad days, and after an extended search, I'm honestly just thankful to be employed. It's hard to put a finger on what's making me unhappy, but from speaking to friends, I know there are better opportunities out there. Should I risk losing the stability of this job to look for something better, or stick it out for a while longer?" A: While a so-so job may be fine in the short term, holding a position that's not a great fit for you over an extended period of time can take a toll on your health and happiness. The good news is, if you have the skills employers seek, you may have more choices than you think. Those who possess diverse skill sets – creatives who can design for print and the Web, and who know basic hand-coding, for example – are in strong demand and often have their pick of employers. Here are six signs to help you determine if you're out of your element: - You feel like you're swimming upstream. Your days are jam-packed and your plate is fully loaded, yet nothing you do seems to make a difference. If you feel you have no purpose in the organization or your efforts are being put to waste, you're bound to lose interest in the job.
- You're stuck in a bowl that's too small. The market for your talents is changing every day, and unless you're evolving, too, you run the risk of becoming obsolete. If you feel underchallenged at work, ask your current employer for new responsibilities. If none are forthcoming, it may be time to jump ship.
- You're swimming in a tank of sharks. Employees who take credit for your work or steal your ideas may be sabotaging your career. If competition around the office seems far from friendly, it may not be the best environment for you.
- You suspect your employer is playing a game of "catch and release." If no one further up the food chain says anything to you about your future, it could be a sign that there's no room to grow. Finding out you're not on the fast track can be painful, but it's better to know sooner rather than later.
- Your supervisor makes you feel like pond scum. There will be days where you're not thrilled by your supervisor's behavior, but you're in danger if these instances become habit. It's no fun working for someone who maintains unreasonable expectations, overlooks your needs or questions your commitment. If you suspect your boss takes you for granted or has little confidence in your abilities, you're probably better off working for someone else.
- You can't acclimate to the environment. It's not uncommon for small mismatches to crop up between your personal and professional interests. Perhaps you dislike the inflexible hours or your casual style doesn't fly with the company's buttoned-down dress code. But when these discrepancies involve more serious matters – ethics or values, for example – you likely won't last in the long run.
If these scenarios strike home, it's likely you're not just going through a bad patch. While it may be scary to say goodbye to your current employer, you'll be better off planning a career change later so you can find a job that really has you hooked. |
