To quit or not to quit, Student Accountant, November 2010
Bored, frustrated and in need of a change? Being stuck in a rut spurs many of us to look elsewhere but this hasty approach gives no guarantee of landing the job of our dreams. Iwona Tokc-Wilde finds out how to improve current job satisfaction before deciding if a letter of resignation is really a good idea.
In the post credit crunch marketplace the recruitment activity is picking up again. KPMG has recently announced it hopes to hire 8,000 staff across Europe in the next three years, including 3,000 in the UK alone. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu also intends to recruit more than 55,000 staff globally over the next five years. And the Big Four firms are not the only ones to set their sights on increasing their numbers: there is a flurry of recruitment activity amongst smaller firms, too. Therefore, it is likely that many of us will receive that knock on the proverbial door and will be tempted to consider our options, especially if we are dissatisfied with our current employment.
However, according to Lindsay Rutland-Dix, a career coach and partner at business consultancy Positive Momentum, many people search for new positions because they fail to recognise they are suffering from temporary frustration rather than a permanent dissatisfaction with their current job. ‘Before you do anything drastic,’ says Rutland-Dix, ‘ask yourself whether jumping ship is really what you want.’
There are many reasons for feeling depressed about work: difficult colleagues, bad managers, uninteresting assignments, and pay, and you need to pinpoint the ones responsible for your discontent. Once you have identified these, you can make changes to improve your working life without the need for exit.
Parameters and feedback
Some managers are vague about their expectations of you, and you may be equally uncertain of what your position and job entail. And if you do not know what the parameters are, how can you be certain you are doing well and progressing in the right direction? Reviewing your manager’s and your own expectations of your role is crucial, says Nisa Chitakasem, founder of Position Ignition, a career advice and consulting business. ‘Look at your job description, the role and the responsibilities you have, and discuss with your manager what they’re expecting from you. Also, you both need to agree on what each of you will do to make it work,’ says Chitakasem.
Clarifying your job description and your role will also help you understand the options for career progression, adds Becky Boston, Operations Director at Emphasis HR & Training. ‘I’d also recommend asking for the job description of the role you want to progress to so that you can set your goals and objectives with that in mind.’ Asking for regular feedback, or for a more formal performance review, is equally important, so that you know you are on the right track towards meeting your goals.
New challenges cure boredom
You may not always be up for it, but we all thrive on new challenges and working on something we care about can boost our confidence and sense of achievement. ‘To keep work fresh and interesting, get involved in new things that you can develop and make your own,’ says Chitakasem. Ask for new responsibilities, contribute to a project that uses skills you would like to learn or improve, or teach others. Nothing is more challenging, and rewarding, than passing your knowledge on to others.
Offering to take on challenging tasks and roles not only creates a platform for you to grow – it also raises your profile within the organisation, adds Boston. ‘You’re more likely to be noticed by the management team if you put yourself forward, and more challenges and variety should follow.’ It is also the quickest way to promotion and better pay.
Priorities and strengths
But how do you identify the areas to get involved in? One of the answers is to first clarify what is important to you both on the professional and personal level. What matters to you the most? What are you interested in? ‘Getting your work and personal priorities aligned is necessary in order for you to feel fulfilled and satisfied with your life in and outside of work,’ says Chitakasem. The next step is to match these priorities to possible new challenges so that you can see the purpose and the value in what you do.
The alternative approach is to harness your strengths and play on what you are good at, recommends Chitakasem. Since we normally enjoy doing what we are good at, this approach reduces the risk of boredom, and stops negative thoughts from entering the brain. ‘And, as an added benefit, you’ll probably spend less time working because, if you’re doing what you love, you are naturally more productive!’ says Chitakasem.
Are you having fun?
Work is less of a daily grind if it has a lighter side. Laughter is a great relaxing experience and, provided it is shared at the appropriate time and not at the expense of others, it adds to having a great day. ‘Try to introduce a lunchtime activity others can join in,’ says Boston, ‘for example, we bring dance and exercise DVD’s to our office. Or, you could arrange a group jog. If it’s a regular event, people will come prepared and it’s more likely to happen!’
Don’t be afraid to make suggestions to your employer – most bosses recognise that happy workforce is more productive workforce and will try to lighten your working day. Dominic Monkhouse, the UK Managing Director of PEER 1 Hosting and a frequent participant in public debate on the topic of creating great places to work, welcomes suggestions from his staff. ‘We have a putting green and games consoles in the office, fun staff days out and “beer o’clock” on Friday afternoons!’
Ultimately, however, there is nothing more important than cultivating a positive attitude towards our job and the people we work with. If we are permanently depressed, frustrated or angry, it is unlikely we will be satisfied with either. It is hard work but, over time, we can learn not to dwell on setbacks and to perceive obstacles and challenges as opportunities to grow. We can always leave, but we owe it to ourselves and others to at least try make it work.
Is your job dissatisfaction a temporary and manageable affliction? Probably, says Lindsay Rutland-Dix, if the answer to these questions is “Yes”:
1. Do you tell other people about your work?
2. Do you perceive your job in terms of the things that you do and achieve rather than merely the things that are done to you and the things achieved around you?
3. If you take money out of the equation, can you still find enough that gives you satisfaction?
4. Do you wake up with inspired ideas for things you are currently working on?
5. Do you find you wake up without needing to set an alarm?
6. Is there little difference between your work and home persona?
7. Do you look forward to work social events such as the Christmas party?
8. Do you choose to keep up-to-date with developments and activity across your industry?
9. Do you find ways to help your colleagues and care about the outcome?
10. Can you imagine yourself in three years having achieved the career progression you desire?
THE END
In the post credit crunch marketplace the recruitment activity is picking up again. KPMG has recently announced it hopes to hire 8,000 staff across Europe in the next three years, including 3,000 in the UK alone. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu also intends to recruit more than 55,000 staff globally over the next five years. And the Big Four firms are not the only ones to set their sights on increasing their numbers: there is a flurry of recruitment activity amongst smaller firms, too. Therefore, it is likely that many of us will receive that knock on the proverbial door and will be tempted to consider our options, especially if we are dissatisfied with our current employment.
However, according to Lindsay Rutland-Dix, a career coach and partner at business consultancy Positive Momentum, many people search for new positions because they fail to recognise they are suffering from temporary frustration rather than a permanent dissatisfaction with their current job. ‘Before you do anything drastic,’ says Rutland-Dix, ‘ask yourself whether jumping ship is really what you want.’
There are many reasons for feeling depressed about work: difficult colleagues, bad managers, uninteresting assignments, and pay, and you need to pinpoint the ones responsible for your discontent. Once you have identified these, you can make changes to improve your working life without the need for exit.
Parameters and feedback
Some managers are vague about their expectations of you, and you may be equally uncertain of what your position and job entail. And if you do not know what the parameters are, how can you be certain you are doing well and progressing in the right direction? Reviewing your manager’s and your own expectations of your role is crucial, says Nisa Chitakasem, founder of Position Ignition, a career advice and consulting business. ‘Look at your job description, the role and the responsibilities you have, and discuss with your manager what they’re expecting from you. Also, you both need to agree on what each of you will do to make it work,’ says Chitakasem.
Clarifying your job description and your role will also help you understand the options for career progression, adds Becky Boston, Operations Director at Emphasis HR & Training. ‘I’d also recommend asking for the job description of the role you want to progress to so that you can set your goals and objectives with that in mind.’ Asking for regular feedback, or for a more formal performance review, is equally important, so that you know you are on the right track towards meeting your goals.
New challenges cure boredom
You may not always be up for it, but we all thrive on new challenges and working on something we care about can boost our confidence and sense of achievement. ‘To keep work fresh and interesting, get involved in new things that you can develop and make your own,’ says Chitakasem. Ask for new responsibilities, contribute to a project that uses skills you would like to learn or improve, or teach others. Nothing is more challenging, and rewarding, than passing your knowledge on to others.
Offering to take on challenging tasks and roles not only creates a platform for you to grow – it also raises your profile within the organisation, adds Boston. ‘You’re more likely to be noticed by the management team if you put yourself forward, and more challenges and variety should follow.’ It is also the quickest way to promotion and better pay.
Priorities and strengths
But how do you identify the areas to get involved in? One of the answers is to first clarify what is important to you both on the professional and personal level. What matters to you the most? What are you interested in? ‘Getting your work and personal priorities aligned is necessary in order for you to feel fulfilled and satisfied with your life in and outside of work,’ says Chitakasem. The next step is to match these priorities to possible new challenges so that you can see the purpose and the value in what you do.
The alternative approach is to harness your strengths and play on what you are good at, recommends Chitakasem. Since we normally enjoy doing what we are good at, this approach reduces the risk of boredom, and stops negative thoughts from entering the brain. ‘And, as an added benefit, you’ll probably spend less time working because, if you’re doing what you love, you are naturally more productive!’ says Chitakasem.
Are you having fun?
Work is less of a daily grind if it has a lighter side. Laughter is a great relaxing experience and, provided it is shared at the appropriate time and not at the expense of others, it adds to having a great day. ‘Try to introduce a lunchtime activity others can join in,’ says Boston, ‘for example, we bring dance and exercise DVD’s to our office. Or, you could arrange a group jog. If it’s a regular event, people will come prepared and it’s more likely to happen!’
Don’t be afraid to make suggestions to your employer – most bosses recognise that happy workforce is more productive workforce and will try to lighten your working day. Dominic Monkhouse, the UK Managing Director of PEER 1 Hosting and a frequent participant in public debate on the topic of creating great places to work, welcomes suggestions from his staff. ‘We have a putting green and games consoles in the office, fun staff days out and “beer o’clock” on Friday afternoons!’
Ultimately, however, there is nothing more important than cultivating a positive attitude towards our job and the people we work with. If we are permanently depressed, frustrated or angry, it is unlikely we will be satisfied with either. It is hard work but, over time, we can learn not to dwell on setbacks and to perceive obstacles and challenges as opportunities to grow. We can always leave, but we owe it to ourselves and others to at least try make it work.
Is your job dissatisfaction a temporary and manageable affliction? Probably, says Lindsay Rutland-Dix, if the answer to these questions is “Yes”:
1. Do you tell other people about your work?
2. Do you perceive your job in terms of the things that you do and achieve rather than merely the things that are done to you and the things achieved around you?
3. If you take money out of the equation, can you still find enough that gives you satisfaction?
4. Do you wake up with inspired ideas for things you are currently working on?
5. Do you find you wake up without needing to set an alarm?
6. Is there little difference between your work and home persona?
7. Do you look forward to work social events such as the Christmas party?
8. Do you choose to keep up-to-date with developments and activity across your industry?
9. Do you find ways to help your colleagues and care about the outcome?
10. Can you imagine yourself in three years having achieved the career progression you desire?
THE END
© Iwona Tokc-Wilde