That was the case for me a week ago. Last Saturday was my last day at Children and Families of Iowa (CFI). I loved working for a company that made families the center of their mission. I also loved working with the co-workers I had at CFI and I made lifelong friends with some of those people. Talk about blessed.
But I realized, not even two months into working at CFI, that my position wasn't the place for me. And that's okay. It is okay to find out that wherever you are working isn't where you belong. That happens all of the time. I needed to get out and I knew I still wanted to work with people. After speaking with my mentor, I found that working in Human Resources would be a better, more reliable career path for me.
Just on my fifth day at my new job, a co-worker of mine got fired. Why? Because she tried to convince me to quit on just my third day there, without realizing how her negativity was effecting the team. That is huge.
In honor of my new job, I wanted to share a list of tips on what you should do when you decide your current job is not the one for you. These are in no particular order, besides the order they popped into my brain. Here they are:
- Tell your current boss that you aren't happy. Although this is likely going to be difficult, it is important to be specific on what aspects you are not happy with (the hours, the pay, the workload, co-workers...you get the picture). You don't want to approach this like a pity party because it's possible you knew of these complaints when you started, but they may be more severe than you expected. Just approach it as a coaching moment for your boss, and hopefully they will appreciate the feedback. It is possible they may be able to change what is keeping you from loving your job
- Actively search and apply for other jobs. With social media, there are limitless places to look for jobs these days. I began looking at CareerBuilder, Indeed, and Monster. These websites became my best friend because between the three, they listed a large portion of the jobs in my ideal career field. It is also important to utilize social media, such as LinkedIn and Twitter. I will talk about LinkedIn later, but on Twitter, you can follow job boards, follow companies you are interested in working at, and reach out to hiring managers. This article on Mashable is a great resource for those wanting to use Twitter to find jobs.
- Utilize your network. In college, I felt like "networking" became a 4-letter word. I heard it in every business class I took and many professors incorporated networking into projects. Needless to say, I didn't realize how beneficial a good network would be until I graduated college. Find someone in your network who has the job you want and pick their brain. Find out how they got there and what they can do to help you get there. She became my mentor and helped me every step of the way to find my current job. Also, reach out to people on LinkedIn in your network who work at the company you want to work at or who have the job you want. LinkedIn is just as professional as face-to-face interactions if you can't meet someone in person for whatever reason.
- If possible, inform your boss that you are looking elsewhere for a new job. This is something I have done with most jobs, but I didn't do with my last job. Sometimes, telling your current boss that you are leaving, as unfair as it may seem, may result in loss of hours, harder projects, or simply unfair treatment. If you have an understanding boss and your position isn't easily replaceable, then it is always a good idea to inform your boss that you are applying for other positions. This way, you can use your boss as a reference for your most current working traits. However, if you don't have a good relationship with your boss, it is still good to inform them you are looking, but only allow future employers to contact them if you feel they would benefit you in obtaining a new position. If not, don't put them down and cut your losses. Sure, some employers may look over your application, but many employers are understanding and will consider you anyway.
- Be patient. From the moment I knew CFI wasn't for me to the moment I got a new job offer, I had applied for 30-something jobs and waited 4 months. It is important to get the ideal job for you, not a temporary fix that you may possibly kind of like. You need a job where you are almost certain you will be happy. Don't settle. The perfect match will come into your life when God means for it to come. Until then, work on building your interviewing skills, perfecting your resume, and cleaning up any social media accounts that have things you aren't proud of. Eventually, the job will come knocking on your door.
I am no expert, but I can offer advice on taking the next step in your career. I am now at a place I love, working in Human Resources, and using my strengths to better myself and my company. What could be better?
