The search for the perfect job is a difficult and complex journey littered with variable life occurrences and expectations. It is not an uncommon thought to be excited one minute and downtrodden the next over your current or future position. From my discussions with employed professionals of all ages, it is a shared view that sometimes they “just aren’t sure” whether or not they love their job. Most of the time I hear, “I love the people at my job … ” or “I love parts of my job … ” but it seems a special rarity these days for people to say “I really, really love what I do,” especially young women.
Well, if you are feeling “just not sure” about your career, you are not alone. In a study of career longitude and labor market activity, the U.S. Department of Labor found that persons born in the baby boom generation held an average of 10.8 jobs from the ages eighteen to forty-two. What is even more significant is that two thirds (7.2) of these jobs were held during the ages of eighteen to twenty-four. A similar study is currently in process to analyze career longitude for persons born between 1980 and 1984.
Changing jobs is a rite of passage that can help a young person grow toward a career path of real opportunity and professional development. But sometimes, understanding that your current role doesn’t have that opportunity can be difficult due to factors like friends, fear, and money. Don’t get me wrong, I think putting your time into a place that you are not sure about has its benefits as well. I have learned a lot from places that were not right from me, but took the time I needed to learn and recognize that, and then happily moved on. Sometimes that “unsure” feeling is really a self-editing tool that we (women especially, I think) default to when we aren’t sure we measure up. That’s a whole other issue that we won’t get into, and it relates back to giving it your best and believing in yourself—things that are sometimes easier said then done, but that we always strive for. To put this into a simple perspective, you always need to look out for yourself in life, love, and work. We know this, and even if it sounds selfish—it’s not. If you really loved your job, isn’t it safe to say you would perform better, be in a better mood, and contribute to the longevity of your firm with enthusiasm and passion? I think so.
Lastly, isn’t your perfect job really about you getting what is best for you? Here are some quick Job Audit steps that will help you determine whether or not its time to leave or stick it out:
1. You can’t get up in the morning, struggle to make it in on time, and can’t wait for a lunch break.
A relatively intuitive sign that something is amiss. Take a cue from your inner-self here and ask why you can’t get up in the morning or struggle to make it in on time. If it’s because you had too many glasses of wine at the industry event, that’s one thing. But if it’s because you can’t stand the thought of a uninspiring work day, it might be another. Take some time to meditate on your feelings towards your boss, the work you are doing, and the environment. After you clear away the superficial things like they never have wheat bagels and the sound of your boss’s accent, you’ll start feeling the reality of your situation: Do I feel challenged? Do I feel satisfied when I accomplish a project? Do I feel happy when I am given a new project?
If you can’t answer those questions with solid, prosperity-filled answers, it might be time to rethink this particular role.
