How to Make Positive Changes in a Negative Job Situation

It's easy to feel trapped in a bad career situation, but don't despair: With a little legwork, you can get yourself - and your career - to a better place.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Look at the Bright Side First

1. Tell yourself that no situation lasts forever when you're in a difficult situation, and that everything in life is transitory.
2. Look for lessons you'll be able to take away from your current situation, to make your next life or career move more suitable and enjoyable.
3. Learn as much as you can in your current circumstances, even if what you learn is that you never want to do the same thing again.
4. Network, network, network. The person who can lead you to a better alternative may be right in front of you!

Make a Move

5. Plan to move on before you actually have to if it becomes clear to you that your current situation is untenable. A gradual approach may be less intimidating or frightening.
6. Use what you have learned to guide you to what you want to do instead.
7. Consider working with a different group within your company, or another company within your industry. Sometimes these relatively minor changes will do the trick.
8. Make sure you get the training you need and set fresh goals if you decide a complete change of venue is what you need.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask yourself what you need to change - the entire "kit and kaboodle" or some relatively minor things - to make your current situation work better for you.
• If you are unhappy where you are, you will start thinking that everyone has it better than you. Try not to exaggerate the down sides of your situation and the up sides of everyone else's!
• Don't interview for other jobs by discussing how much you hate your current one. Say what you want, not just what you want to avoid or escape.
• Avoid waiting for your self-esteem to hit bottom before you start thinking about changing your situation.

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