There are three moments when your job seems most ideal: The day you spot the job posting, the day they say yes, and your first week of work. Months later — after a variety of workplace stressors reveal themselves — the job that was once shiny and new typically loses some luster. You may even start looking for greener professional pastures.
How to Make the Most of the Job You Already Have
Before you start rationalizing a significant job shift, consider some ways to make the job you have more interesting and fulfilling. Start by asking your manager or human resources department what kind of help they need, and be realistic about your bandwidth. If your contributions become a regular activity, it’s fair to ask your manager to adjust your job description or even your professional title to reflect that added responsibility, which can have an obvious impact on your career advancement. See if there are ways to leverage your skills and experience to support colleagues, and be sure to give meaningful public credit to others to reinforce your reputation as a compassionate and valuable team player. Consider that it may be your skills — not your job — that need a boost. Identify skills or insight you need to develop and look for educational opportunities to accomplish that. Try socializing with colleagues more often. You’ll find that the bonds you form outside of work will enhance the ones you have during the workday. Switch up your workspace from time to time, and pay close attention to your work/life balance: Take vacations — or just minibreaks — and take them seriously. That means unplugging from your work and work tools as much as possible. These ideas may not only keep you happier at work, but also help you sustain the benefits, comfort level, and reputation you’ve worked so hard to earn.