What should you do if you are stuck in a bad job? After all, the economy is bad, and after you’ve evaluated your field, you may have determined that it’s best to stay where you are for a while. But what do you do in the meantime?
Here are some tips that can help you get through this time of your life:
Advise younger employees. If you have several years of experience in your field, you can increase your job satisfaction by passing your experience on to employees who are newer to the organization. There is satisfaction in helping others, and mentoring other employees can make your time at your current job more enjoyable.
Get involved in committees to increase your visibility in the organization and make a contribution outside of your department. Many large companies have committees to review processes or improve employee retention. Joining such a committee can expose you to others in a large organization that you might not otherwise know about, and it can open the door to future career opportunities.
Take advantage of employer-sponsored community service programs. If your employer has a community service program, use it as an opportunity to do good for someone else and get away from your workplace a few hours a week. This will divert your mind from your own problems and will also help someone else. You may be able to get involved at your local public school or help out at a homeless shelter. Community service programs can also have the added benefit of positioning you for future opportunities if you do volunteer work that will give you skills in a different area.
Use a company-sponsored tuition reimbursement program to your advantage. If your company offers tuition reimbursement, take classes that will enhance your resume. You might consider getting certified in your field, as certifications have become very common in many fields. If you don’t already have an advanced degree, you might consider using the tuition reimbursement program to earn that degree and increase your marketability. That way, when the economy turns around, you’ll be well positioned to move on to a job that you really enjoy.