Working and unhappy
THESE days when friends ask me how was my work going, instead of my customary `great guns response' I prefer to roll my eyes and sigh from the depths of my being. That says it all and they understand that I am on the lookout again! But what many of them cannot understand is why I am ready to chuck up a perfectly decent job, especially as in my industry (media) there aren't too many opportunities going a begging. Nobody wants to hear of a person who has a seemingly good job with a good pay and still is unhappy and cribbing. Working yet unhappy does sound like an oxymoron in today's economy. Isn't one asking for too much here? A natural reaction is if you hate your work so much then why don't you leave. And, go where? Jobs are so hard to come by that quitting for being unhappy seems like a stupid reason.
Meanwhile, if you are indeed waiting to move on to something more worthwhile, the biggest challenge that you could be facing is how to keep up your enthusiasm for your present work. Author (Work Smart) and career consultant Marci Taub, suggests that you look at the present job not as a source of misery but as a stepping-stone to your future assignments. "Determine how relationship and skill-building, on and off the job, will get you there, so when the time is right you can move quickly," she advises.
Some more dos and don'ts:
`Career management' continues to be a hot buzzword. If you haven't yet started on making that plan, Do It Now! Continue to assess your career at every stage so that you can survive and thrive. Network systematically. Make a list of people and resources that can help you with good leads and keep contact information. Current. If you are shy, find a style of networking that suits your personality. Be open
Create at least a two-year plan for your career. Write down your objectives and goals; the process will make you feel more secure about your future. Develop new skills and learn something new about your business
Build your personal brand based on your skills, qualifications, professional strengths and unique characteristics. Make it your PUSP (personal unique selling proposition) and see how people perceive you differently and in a in a more positive fashion. Who knows, a self-evaluation may see you in a new career direction!
A great way to market yourself is to be interesting and be interested. If you share career information with others, chances are they will reciprocate. Know your industry and how you can fit in the field that interests you. But, remember to always have a backup plan
Keep your CV current and updated. Wherever possible, quantify your accomplishments and give examples of your contribution to the organisation
Most importantly, cultivate a good attitude. That will help you deal with rejection and if needed also keep your ego in check! Work on it so that you come across as a positive, confident and flexible professional. It is important that you sport this attitude at interviews or else your true feelings will show through despite your best efforts - and hurt your professional image
In the meantime, enjoy what you are doing and consider yourself fortunate that you still have work to do!
PADMA RAMESH
Padma.hyd@cnkonline.com
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