What to Do When You Hate Your Job

"I hate my job." You may or may not be surprised how common the sentiment is. Many people hate something or other about their work. A recent McKinsey report found that 40% of workers globally are thinking about leaving their jobs. Respondents said they wanted to leave to find work that pays better, is more satisfying, or both.

What can you do if you hate your job, company, boss, industry, or even everything about your working life? We'll walk through some tips for what to do while you're still on the job.

Should I Quit If I Hate My Job?

Don't just quit your job. The frustration of working at a place you can't stand can be hard to handle. But most of us can’t afford to resign in haste—not without another job waiting in the wings.

Begin by considering options for making the job work:

• Are you sure you really need to quit, or could you just be going through a tough time?
• Is there anything you could be doing differently to be happier at work?
• Could you ask for a transfer or a shift change? Is there anything that would make a difference and convince you to stay?

Perhaps there's a way to turn things around so you at least like, if not love, your job. Consider the alternatives before you decide to leave. Finding a new job isn't always easy. If there's a fix, it's worth pursuing.

Keep Your Negative Feelings Private

If that doesn't work, you may feel even more frustrated. It's understandable to want to vent, and it can even be healthy for you. But keep most of your negative comments to yourself and your family or close friends. It won't help to constantly complain to your colleagues and management.

Speaking badly about work compromises the level of professional integrity you convey, and might even lead to you getting the boot.

Don't blast complaints about your job out to the world on social media, either. The more you broadcast your distaste, the more likely it is that the wrong person will come across your complaints and share them with co-workers, supervisors, or even company executives.

And it's not just your current employer you need to worry about, but also hiring managers at potential future employers. A survey by The Harris Poll for Express Employment Professionals found that 70% of employers use social networking sites to research potential candidates.

It’s easy to avoid losing your job by not complaining about it. It makes more sense to quietly plan your exit from the company when the time is right.

Know It's Not Just You

Any of us can wind up stuck in a job we hate. It happens. The job might not be what you expected. Or, the job itself may be okay, but your boss or co-workers are awful. Perhaps you don't like the schedule or your customers, or something else about the work environment.

Get Ready to Job Search

If there's no way you can stay, that's fine, too. Again, at least you know. Still, don't quit your job yet. It's easier to find a job when you have a job, and you probably won't be eligible for unemployment if you quit.

The better prepared you are before you actually start looking, the easier your job search will be. Take the time to create or update your LinkedIn profile. Update your resume. Get some references lined up. Build your network by connecting with everyone you know on LinkedIn and the other top networking sites.

Start Your Job Hunt—Carefully

Start a job search, quietly and discreetly. Don't broadcast the fact that you're job searching for the same reasons you're keeping quiet about hating your job. You don't want your boss or someone else to know that you're planning to leave until you're ready to share the news.

Job search engines are the perfect platform to see what jobs are available for candidates with your background. Spend some time perusing a few, then test the waters. Start applying for jobs and talking privately with your contacts about your intentions to make a move to a new job.

Still unsure how to proceed? A few helpful pointers may be all you need to get your job search started and keep it on track. Do keep in mind that it might take a while to find a new position, so be prepared for the long haul.

Be Careful About What You Say and to Whom

When you think you've finally found that new plum position and you've been asked to interview, you'll probably want to shout it from the rooftops. Even if you do share your good fortune, don’t broadcast the fact that you hated your last job. Companies check references. They ask about previous employers in interviews, and what you say matters.

Recruiters and prospective employers look for people who are going to build up their businesses and reputations, not tear them down. Talking trash about a former employer during a job interview says more about you than the company. What's more, you never know who your interviewer might know.

How Should I Resign If I Hate My Job?

Resign gracefully, giving two weeks' notice. Offer to provide assistance during the transition and leave the company behind with no hard feelings.

Aside from costing you opportunities, a scorched-Earth approach to separation isn't worth your time. You're better served by focusing your energy and perspective on your new job and improving your experience this time around.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)