Your Job Isn't the Right Fit - What Do You Do?

Posted January 9, 2017

Coming to the realization that the job you are in isn't right for you can be a troubling conclusion to reach. The situation can be particularly frustrating if you feel like you did all the right things in the hiring and onboarding processes.

In this situation, it is important to keep things in perspective and realize there are a number of options you can pursue.

Remember - No Job Is Perfect

If you find you want to leave your current job, it's important to consider that the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence.

A good way to determine if you truly should leave is to recall why you took the job in the first place. Was it the opportunity to gain experience? Was it the chance to advance to a higher position?

Then figure out if you can still achieve that goal in your current job, or if you can better achieve that goal somewhere else. If your best career opportunity is to stick it out, then you need to resolve yourself to making it work.

Consider Why You Are Unhappy

Think about the reasons behind your unhappiness and if the issues are temporary or baked in. For instance, if you've been working long hours, that might change when a major project ends or more staff is hired. Or you might hate the out-of-date facilities and there's no talk of moving to a newer building.

If you are having serious doubts, see your boss and make your concerns clear. Don't just up and quit without letting your boss know you're unhappy and the reasons behind your feelings. Your boss will appreciate if you come into the conversation with ideas on how to make the situation better for you. You may discover your boss isn’t conscious of how you feel or the problems you are facing, and is open to setting you up in a slightly different role. You just might be able to get yourself into more favorable conditions if you approach your boss with a problem-solving mindset. Or you could discover you and your boss are on completely different pages when it comes to your role with the company. Either way, you’ll walk away with more knowledge to help you decide whether or not you want to stay.

Develop an Exit Strategy

If you reach the conclusion that it isn't going to work out, the worst thing you can do is storm out in a huff - even though doing so might be extremely satisfying.

Instead, start thinking about how you can leave in a way that best sets you up for future career success. You could try contacting a previous employer to find out if your old job is still available. You could also get to know people in other departments to see if there are other positions in the company that might better suit your interests and skills.

At Ambassador Personnel, we are constantly connecting people with job opportunities that suit them better than their current job. If you are currently considering a job with a different organization, please contact us today to work with a full-service staffing firm.