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 in your life:
Orient more junior employees. If you have several years of experience in your field, you can increase your job satisfaction by passing on your experience 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.
Join 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 can open the door to future job 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 by taking a few hours a week away from your workplace. This will distract you from your own problems and will also help someone else. You may be able to participate in the 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 take on 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 may want to consider using the tuition reimbursement program to earn that degree and increase your marketability. That way, when the economy improves, you’ll be well positioned to move on to a job you really love.