It is not only in Egypt, that many people are discontent with their jobs, this happens all over the world. But let’s agree on something, although it is our right to change our life, especially our career trajectory, sometimes we change it and discover that it took a turn for the worse, and this makes us regret our choice. Such remorse makes us really sad, desperate, and it makes us feel like we do not want to go on anymore.
Undoubtedly, you may have left a bad job to find out a month later that you have moved to an even worse one. Perhaps because you wanted to get rid of your first job, or because you did not calculate the risks of changing it, or as economists call it, the “opportunity cost”, which is a loss of other alternatives when one alternative is chosen. Have you ever thought about this in relation to your current job? Do you consider it when you have to trade-off one choice for another? What is the cost of leaving the bad job which is in hand and move to an unknown environment of another job? Is it really worth it? All of these questions should be considered. And to tell you the truth, you should not let them pass just because this makes you feel better. So, I have two sets of advice for those who are running through this career drama.
- Advice Set 1
First, if you are unhappy with your job, try to stay in it for at least six months, and stick to your decision, as typically, people start searching for new jobs after the 4th month of working in the undesired job, unless, of course, there was any kind of unethical practices. Only then you have the absolute right to leave; to maintain your integrity and ethics. These elements are irreplaceable and if lost, one would never find true happiness again even if he/she became a millionaire.
Sometimes we experience “the bad for a reason”. What I mean is, if you grow in a career that you do not like, this implies that you have learned a new skill called “endurance”. This will really help you when you have to work with new assignments that you feel unhappy about, and will make you contented to accept them as a challenge, which will help your professional muscle grow. Also, if you have problems with your managers, as it’s said that people do not leave good companies, but they leave bad managers, you should try to open up with your managers and speak with them about your concerns, and list the things that you favor and things that you do not, it is healthy for both of you as professionals. Team-up for a common goal to understand how to respect one another to achieve business objectives. This does not mean you are friends, it means a reciprocal obligation of respect.
- Advice Set 2
1- Career Choice: Have you thought about reading a book related to you career, or going through psychometric tests to understand more about your behavioral competencies, and how they relate to your personality? Many colleges and even recruitment agencies do this especially for fresh graduates, and for those who do not know where to begin from. My advice is to take these tests. It might inspire you to pursue the career that you mostly like, as you will be astonished about how you did not make a good use of some skills you have. One of the best career advices for the middle-east can be found in HR Revolution middle-East Magazine by sending an e-mail request for career advice on: info@hrrevolution.me
2- Volunteer: Whether working or not, volunteering makes one feel like there is an addition to the world, it makes you feel that you made someone happy and that you were of value to others. Volunteering is not limited to going to the public and help, you can even volunteer with your family and help them, you can write an article about something you know and share it with others, or writing an e-book and provide it for free to people on-line. Just share what you can to learn what it means to be part of a whole.
3- Be Present: One should attend classes, workshops and training programs that make him/her feel fulfilled emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Go and attend a musical concert or learn a new instrument, attend a new language class and get acquainted with new people and culture, participate in conferences and know how to learn from them. Just do something that you feel would make you survive even with a bad job.
4- Communicate with the Deity: Establish a healthy relation with God, this will not only increase your spiritual happiness, but it will also correct your behavior and attitude, and even improve your mental health. Go and give charity to the needy, help the elderly and give them a hug of love and appreciation, and pray for all those in need. Just become the good person that the corporate world might have damaged in you.
Being human is something that we all must cherish. Employers and employees must understand that they cannot change this fact, a human being is a human being, and a machine is a machine. A job responsibility is a duty. Choices, even the worse of them, can be taken from a positive perspective to improve performance, and promote positive attitude in organizations.
By: Ahmed Saadalla – CEO HR Revolution
Photography: Hadeer Hisham El Masry
Editor: Marina Eshak