The Working World

Instead of Ditching Your Day Job, You Could…

Feeling stuck in a job you hate? Get in line.

A recent survey of 5,000 households found that only 45 percent of Americans are satisfied with their jobs right now, the lowest level on record since the Conference Board research group began issuing the annual survey 22 years ago.

Why don’t these unhappy employees just leave if they’re so bummed out? It’s the economy, stupid. With unemployment levels at record highs, quitting a gig that pays the bills is not high on everyone’s list of comfortable risks.

So if you’re unhappily employed and not feeling gutsy enough to ditch your job, all is not lost. We’ve put together a handful of ways to get more out of the job you currently have without turning in your walking papers.

…take your vacation days.

Two-thirds of Americans opted not to use all of their vacation days in 2009, even though those days of relaxation could be exactly what’s needed to stay sane. Stop worrying about being fired for taking a few days off, and use the days that are rightfully yours. And remember, just because you take vacation days doesn’t mean you have to splurge on a pricey trip overseas. A few days spent soaking in the tub can do wonders for your psyche.

…freelance on the side.

Whether you’re not feeling challenged or you’re just looking for a little extra income, taking on a few freelance assignments when you’re not in the office is a great way to boost your satisfaction and bank account at the same time. Not only that, but a steady freelancing gig could provide a cushion if the axe falls and you’re laid off from your current position at some point in the future.

…ask to work from home.

More workers are telecommuting from home these days than ever before, so why shouldn’t you be one of them? Not only will avoiding the morning commute and staying away from office politics do a lot to improve your mood, but you’ll most likely save money by eating breakfast and lunch at home more frequently, too.

…negotiate for better assignments.

If the work you’re doing feels stagnate or mundane, it might be time to ask for a more challenging assignment. Rather than looking like a whiner who’s complaining about a lack of job satisfaction, make it clear that you’d like to help the company by working on more challenging projects from time to time. Not only will you boss likely say yes, but you’ll earn praise for your proactive attitude, as well.

…challenge yourself.

If you’re not feeling challenged by your bosses then it might be time to challenge yourself. Create your own productivity goals and work to meet them. These goals might include making more sales, or just getting more work done in a shorter amount of time. If nothing else, the praise you’ll likely get for the uptick in effort is likely to lead you to feel a little more satisfied and appreciated by your employer, which is always a good thing.

…ask for a raise.

If you think additional money might increase your job satisfaction, then it might be worth asking for a raise. Sure, a recession isn’t typically the best time to start asking for more money, but these tips should put you on the right track. Just remember in the long run its rarely the money that’s the problem when it comes to low job satisfaction, and there’s a chance you’ll feel just as blue even with the increase in your paycheck.

Tags: careers, freelancing, jobs