What Can I Do If I Hate My Job? Tips and advice (Solved!)

I have worked the same job for three years and in the same career since I was 21. Whilst the money is OK, I have grown to hate my job more and more, and I cannot face the prospect of doing this until I retire. What can I do if I hate my job? Do you have any advice? Michelle – Austin, Texas USA

Like millions of people worldwide, Michelle has grown to hate her job. For many people, having a stable, secure and financially rewarding job is enough to make them happy at work.

Loving your work is also a huge bonus, but finding something you love and can earn a good salary can be difficult.

There is hope, though, and it is possible if you stop, reflect and work to search for a career that matches enough of your needs to make you happy at work.

Finding a job that can lead to a fulfilling career is your responsibility alone. Leaving a job you thought you’d like or that your parents wanted you to do isn’t as difficult as you might think.

One thing is for sure if you hate your job, then now is the time to start planning a major job or career change.

This article will help you find out how to move away from what you hate and work towards a career that is personally fulfilling, financially rewarding, and something you can be proud of and gain identity from.

Experts on Job Satisfaction

Researchers at Curtin University have found that about 12 million people in Australia work for around 20 billion paid hours, with men spending 50% of their waking life at work. Women were found to spend about 40% of their awake time in paid employment.

Therefore it is plain to see that being such a huge part of the human experience, we owe it to ourselves to find the type of job and career that we are satisfied with; otherwise, we risk becoming unhappy, stressed and disillusioned with our jobs.

It sounds like common sense, but many of us become slaves to our jobs even if we are not satisfied. Indeed, in the USA, only 49% of workers state that they are very satisfied with their current job, according to the Pew Research Center. So what can you do to find a job you can be satisfied with?

Finances and Personal Circumstances

Researchers at the University of Florida and Jacksonville University have found examples of where money doesn’t necessarily buy happiness. They found that while higher-paid jobs can correlate with levels of job satisfaction, this is not always the case.

For example, they discovered that lawyers who earned around $150,000 per year were less satisfied with their jobs than childcare workers who earned only $23,500 per year.

So what does this all mean? First and foremost, we must earn enough money to provide us with the basic necessities to survive, such as food, accommodation, bills and transport.

If the job that you have doesn’t pay enough for these basic life necessities, then you are going to get unhappy very quickly.

In reality, people must earn enough for these essentials and provide enough income to cover savings, transport, hobbies and vacations.

It is important to work out a realistic budget and ensure that the job you have at least covers those essentials.

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

Confucius

Make a Financial Foundation and Then Go For Success

Once you are at an income level where you can afford the essentials, you can start to be pickier when it comes to finding a new job or career that will give you more satisfaction and enjoyment and that you won’t hate.

The choice will be more limited for many, especially those starting off in the job market. Still, with more experience, transferrable skills and education, higher-salary jobs become more accessible. For example, you might start doing manual labour or retail work but save enough money to gain more qualifications to help you move to a more rewarding and better-paid career.

Can Your Boss and Colleagues Affect Your Happiness in the Workplace?

Before deciding to change jobs or careers, looking at the main reasons for wanting a move or a new direction is essential. Sure, if your wages fall far short of your living expenses despite your having an excellent weekly budget, then it is time to start planning a change as soon as possible.

However, if you only hate your job due to a dislike of or poor treatment by your bosses and colleagues, then all that might really be needed is to move to a different company or organisation rather than making a complete career change.

Having a bad boss isn’t your fault. Staying with one is.

Nora Denzel

If you cannot improve your relationship with your boss and colleagues, then maybe it is time to look for a move, as there is no reason to stay in a job where you do not feel valued or respected unless you absolutely desperately need the money.

Try and stay in your current role while searching but stay aware of your mental health and personal relationships. As an unhappy workplace can have a very detrimental effect on your personal life.

Does Your Age, Experience and Education Relate to Job Satisfaction?

Age can have a significant impact on people’s levels of job satisfaction. An example of this could be a student paying their way through university by working in a local bar. You might not be your dream job or industry on a stepping stone to a different and better career.

An older person working bar might not be as satisfied if they hoped to go into hospitality management but didn’t have the skills, training or temperament. Similarly, an older person with more experience and education might enjoy a more demanding and high-pressure role than a younger person in the same role who lacks the experience and skills.

Whatever your age, there is always time to change, improve, train and increase your experience be it within your current role, through additional education or by volunteering in your space-time.

Does Employment Sector and Job Type Impact Happiness at Work?

Being in the right field of work can greatly impact your levels of happiness and satisfaction in your career. For some people, working with people in a caring or teaching capacity is more enjoyable, while for others, working with numbers or doing physical work outdoors can be the most rewarding.

If you can work in various work sectors early in your life, you will have more of an idea of what you like and dislike. If you don’t have the time or the opportunity to try out different job types and industries, try asking people in your social networks what they like about the sectors or job types they are employed in.

Volunteering outside of work hours can be a good way to try out new and different roles without the financial risk of leaving your current job.

Ask For Help to Find the Right Job or Career

Also, engaging a career expert to help you find a job based on your personality, values, and ambitions can be a great way to find the job type or industry that will suit you the most and lead to a more satisfying and enjoyable career.

Another important point is that you might be unhappy with your job not because of the job itself but because of the type of company or organisation in which you work. For example, an accountant or IT support worker might hate their current job in a government department but might absolutely love and thrive in the same role at a media company, a community organisation or a large hospitality company.

You always have options if you are willing to be open and creative and put in the research, even if you need to go to night school to get additional qualifications or do voluntary work in your spare time to gain valuable experience, which may help you find your dream job.

Find out what you like doing best and get someone to pay you for doing it.

Katherine Whitehorn

Conclusion – How to Stop Hating Your Job

We spend much of our adult life at work, so it is important to move towards a career you enjoy eventually and can sustain your lifestyle adequately. Not finding a job you like can negatively affect your work life, personal life and finances.

Finding an organisation where you enjoy working with your bosses and colleagues is important. If you don’t, you should start looking for a place where you will enjoy working with a good team and feel valued, respected and liked.

If you are struggling to find a career you enjoy, do not be afraid to invest in the help of a career advisor and shop around if the first one you see doesn’t give you the answers you require. Ensure you are honest about why you might dislike your work, colleagues or bosses.

The most important thing is to gradually seek out a job that you enjoy and one which matches your own set of personal values, ambitions and realistic financial expectations.

Leave a comment below if you have any questions or advice you can give to others who might be unhappy with their work.