I Hate my Job

cvwallace

I know this is probably felt by every working person in this country at the mo but I am seriously, terminally, sick of my job. I was made redundant around this time last year and managed to find a job working for a large multinational. I've frankly hated the job since the moment I started but recently I moved home and my commute increased to an hour and a quarter, which, combined with a ten hour working day, is utterly soul-destroying. I find myself almost constantly depressed, exhausted and stressed both during and outside working hours and constantly on the verge of just jacking it in and going on the dole. I've been applying for positions since I started but I've only had 1 interview and no offers. Can anyone offer me any advice?

Mrs Garth Brooks

My best advice, jack it in.

That sounds like a long day for a job you dont like. Ive been there and know exactly how you feel.

I hate thinking negative and i even view my experience as a positive.

Sounds weird. But the place made me work on myself. I was overweight and lacked confidence. I tried getting work in something i would like to do. Even went into places and offered to do voluntary for the experience and to get in the door. I got nothing. Watched doctor phil one morning where it had a programme about fat people and how they are judged. That changed my life forever.

Lost 5 stone, payed off my debts, saved for college. And now i am loving college and have work experience sorted in my dream career. I am loving every minute of it. So much happier now.

Fck it in, its not worth your health.

Rebelheart

If somebody, some corporation or some third-level group could come up with a way to hugely reduce the number of people who choose careers and/or jobs which do not suit them, they could make a fortune. There's definitely a gap in the market for this.

Far too many people are in jobs that they aren't happy in. Nobody benefits from it, least of all them. Life is way too short to be spending half of each day doing something you have no grá for.

Best of luck.

Rebelheart

cvwallace wrote: »

I know this is probably felt by every working person in this country at the mo but I am seriously, terminally, sick of my job. I was made redundant around this time last year and managed to find a job working for a large multinational. I've frankly hated the job since the moment I started but recently I moved home and my commute increased to an hour and a quarter, which, combined with a ten hour working day, is utterly soul-destroying. I find myself almost constantly depressed, exhausted and stressed both during and outside working hours and constantly on the verge of just jacking it in and going on the dole. I've been applying for positions since I started but I've only had 1 interview and no offers. Can anyone offer me any advice?

By the way, would it be worth your while to talk to a career development person (e.g. in a university) about your situation, and what you might be best suited to? I did that recently and it was very useful and gave me much clarity. The person's perspective was very, very refreshing and allowed me to think differently about the possibilities in my career.

Queen-Mise

Rebelheart wrote: »

Life is way too short to be spending half of each day doing something you have no grá for.

+ one million.

Life is just too short. Keep the job till Christmas, and then hand your notice in.

If you are really serious about jacking the job in, go sick for a few weeks (at least two), really rest, and try and do some reevaluating. Talk to some people.

dan_d

+1 on all the above.

Try looking around for volunteering/internships too, to get you experience in something you'd like.

I'm glad not everyone is saying "keep your job it's a recession". No job is worth your health and happiness.

mikemac

"You're lucky to have a job" is one of the most overused phrases around.
I hate hearing it :mad:

You have experience OP and you're obviously capable if this place took you on. You'll get another job

Too many people trapped in jobs and it eventually ruins their mental health. Getting anxious, confidence destroyed, loseing sleep and standing in a toilet cubicle and breaking down into tears.

I've been there and don't wish it on you OP

Take your time, keep applying or even hey, head off traveling for a few months if you have savings.
Maybe keep the job until after Christmas

George Orwell 1982

Are you sure you are not depressed? Have you ever felt this way before? Being on the dole at a time like this may not be so much fun either. Thread carefully. Could you do something about reducing your commute time? Or even arrange to work part time? Or take sick leave and think things over.

Leaving a job without a plan for what you are going to do is not a good idea. You need a plan.

Are you living on your own? Are you happier at weekends?

Mrs Garth Brooks

George Orwell 1982 wrote: »

Are you sure you are not depressed? Have you ever felt this way before? Being on the dole at a time like this may not be so much fun either. Thread carefully. Could you do something about reducing your commute time? Or even arrange to work part time? Or take sick leave and think things over.

Leaving a job without a plan for what you are going to do is not a good idea. You need a plan.

Are you living on your own? Are you happier at weekends?

He could be depressed because of his job. The only reason i stayed in my job was cause i did have a plan. But if that wasn't going to work out, i was going to get out regardless.

He doesn't need a plan. Get out of there.

George Orwell 1982

HardLuckWoman wrote: »

He could be depressed because of his job. The only reason i stayed in my job was cause i did have a plan. But if that wasn't going to work out, i was going to get out regardless.

He doesn't need a plan. Get out of there.

Its easier get a job when you are in a job. Going straight onto the dole is not a good idea. Better off not making any hasty decisions. First he needs to find out if the way he is feeling really is all this job's fault. I think that is unlikely unless he is being treated very badly in some way. You could hate any job when you are depressed.

TheQ47

Just one word of caution, according to this page on the Department of Social Protection website

a person may be disqualified for receiving Jobseekers Benefit for up to 9 weeks from the date of leaving employment if s/he has left the employment voluntarily and without just cause.

'Good cause' is not defined and it is for the Deciding Officer to apply a common sense meaning to the expression in considering the case. Factors that may be taken into account could include the circumstances surrounding any changes in working conditions, the financial situation of the firm; whether leaving the employment amounted to constructive dismissal (i.e. the person left the employment following harassment/abuse from the employer).

Just an extra thing to think about before walking out.

LegacyUser

Something similar happened to me OP, a few times actually. I've started jobs before and realised within a few days that I was going to absolutely hate it. Usually when that happens, it rarely gets better, at least in my experience.

In my head I go past a point where I officially stop giving a f*** about my current job. I throttle back and literally do the bare minimum to get by and enough that no-one will complain and I literally spend every other moment, at work and at home, trying to find another job. I mean I will literally almost carpet bomb companies and recruitment agencies trying to get work. I will be utterly relentless and the more unhappy I am, the more relentless I will be.

One particular job I was in I realised I hated it within the first 2 or 3 days. I ended up getting another job with a company I liked and I took a huge pay cut in order to go there. When I say a huge pay cut, I think it was something like €15,000 euro less per year. I can't remember exactly but it was a big cut. But I was so desperate to get out of that place and I really wanted to get into this other company that I was willing to take it. I had interviewed at this other company previously and really liked it and they had offered me work but it was only a contract at that time whereas they now had a permanent job open which is the one I got.

But I think most people have felt like they were in your shoes too. I'm not particularly happy in my current job. I get massively stressed at times and I think I've developed an anxiety disorder over it. Some mornings I just can't face going in as it does my head in so much.

It is soul destroying when you apply and don't seem to be getting anywhere. I don't know if you have much in the way of savings and while others have said its easier to get work while in a job, sometimes if it goes too far, you just have to leave. A friend of mine was suffering from stress and his doctor put him off work for a month sick. He then went back to work but had to leave. He told me he was having thoughts of ending it all but thankfully he went to speak to a professional and got some help as it seems the job has caused him to suffer from depression.

He packed in his job anyway and is now looking into other areas for work and probably a complete career change. And he was just after becoming a father too so I'm sure financially, it wasn't the best time for him to leave his job. But I think he's happier now.

I'm not saying you should leave your job, and I'm not saying you should stay, just wanted to pass on my own experiences and that of others. The only thing I would say is don't leave it so long that your health begins to suffer. It's just not worth it and most likely, you'll get no thanks for it either.

LegacyUser

TheQ47 wrote: »

Just one word of caution, according to this page on the Department of Social Protection website


Just an extra thing to think about before walking out.

Thats easy....just get yourself fired OP!!

Seriuosly though,i'm in the same boast as yourself,I hate my job,its soul destroying.Nothing worse than doing a job you hate.If you can afford to jack it in,just do it.
Best of luck OP..

cafecolour

I would start looking for a job before you quit, but if it's too much, yes it's not worth your health.

You could also try negotiate to work at home a few days a week or the like. I did that with a job I could barely stand (2 days a week at home), and that improved it a bit. Another job I negotiated to go to 80% time (ie 4 days a week) - and 80% pay of course, but still full benefits (ie health care, etc.). If you do that, you have to make sure you aren't still expected to do 100% of your old workload in 80% time/80% pay.

silkworm53

There is a recession at the moment and there are no jobs available anywhere. You would have to be crazy to give your up job and live on the dole. The government are going to cut 6 billion from the national budget so if you live on the dole - that's going to be cut along with fuel and rent allowance and everything else. What are you going to live on? 196 euro a week? Your social life would be flushed down the toilet. There more than 500,000 people unemployed and rising. Many of those people are surviving on tins of salmon.
You should be happy you have a job.
There are thousands who would love to be in your shoes.

Naikon

Stick with the job. Any job is better than no job, especially in the current climate. Sitting on the dole should be a last option.

( Experience + Money ) > ( Money )

silkworm53

silkworm53 wrote: »

There is a recession at the moment and there are no jobs available anywhere. You would have to be crazy to give your up job and live on the dole. The government are going to cut 6 billion from the national budget so if you live on the dole - that's going to be cut along with fuel and rent allowance and everything else. What are you going to live on? 196 euro a week? Your social life would be flushed down the toilet. There more than 500,000 people unemployed and rising. Many of those people are surviving on tins of salmon.
You should be happy you have a job.
There are thousands who would love to be in your shoes.

Jesus, what an annoying phrase that is. Just because others are out of work, that doesn't mean that OP can't hate his job! There are few things more soul destroying than going in every day to a job you hate, especially when it essentially takes up every waking moment. What kind of life is that? Sure, being on the dole is (probably) miserable for lots of people, but doing something you hate isn't much better. I would never tell anyone they were 'lucky' for having a job that made them feel like this.

Now, the point about the dole is valid. That isn't much fun either. I'd recommend doing something totally different like teaching English abroad or another 'non-traditional' job. Personally, I hate desk jobs, they do my head in, and so I jacked mine in a few years ago to teach abroad and work as a freelance translator/interpreter (granted, I have the skills to do that), and it was so much better. You actually feel alive, you have a real challenge each day, meet new people, learn things. I don't know how anyone ever survives 2 hour commutes and long days in a cubicle day in, day out. Some people just aren't cut out for that.

I would also recommend taking up hobbies and doing things outside work, so that you're not just living to work, but that's more difficult when you have super long hours. Still, it worked for me when I was doing jobs I hated, I just got through the day by keeping as busy as possible, then when the clock struck 6, I was out of the door to live my 'real' life with my real friends. It's not always easy if you don't work regular hours, though.

Naikon

Jeremias Alive Glue wrote: »

Jesus, what an annoying phrase that is. Just because others are out of work, that doesn't mean that OP can't hate his job! There are few things more soul destroying than going in every day to a job you hate, especially when it essentially takes up every waking moment. What kind of life is that? Sure, being on the dole is (probably) miserable for lots of people, but doing something you hate isn't much better. I would never tell anyone they were 'lucky' for having a job that made them feel like this.

Now, the point about the dole is valid. That isn't much fun either. I'd recommend doing something totally different like teaching English abroad or another 'non-traditional' job. Personally, I hate desk jobs, they do my head in, and so I jacked mine in a few years ago to teach abroad and work as a freelance translator/interpreter (granted, I have the skills to do that), and it was so much better. You actually feel alive, you have a real challenge each day, meet new people, learn things. I don't know how anyone ever survives 2 hour commutes and long days in a cubicle day in, day out. Some people just aren't cut out for that.

I would also recommend taking up hobbies and doing things outside work, so that you're not just living to work, but that's more difficult when you have super long hours. Still, it worked for me when I was doing jobs I hated, I just got through the day by keeping as busy as possible, then when the clock struck 6, I was out of the door to live my 'real' life with my real friends. It's not always easy if you don't work regular hours, though.

It's really quite simple. It's easier to get a job while already in a job. That, and normally employers aren't keen on any gaps in employment. No point burning any bridges imo. The concept of "loving your job" is a modern idea. Most people will hate their job simply because it is an form of physical/intellectual prostitution in exchange for money. May as well just get on with the job I reckon. OP, don't throw away the job. It could be an asset to you yet no matter how if makes you feel. Just be glad you don't live in Victorian times where 15 hours days weren't uncommon. A Job > no Job imo. Employers will want to know why he jacked in his job should he leave it. It's an employers market out there.

Sorry dude, but as it stands, silkworm53 is the one talking sense here.

Naikon

Naikon wrote: »

It's really quite simple. It's easier to get a job while already in a job. That, and normally employers aren't keen on any gaps in employment. No point burning any bridges imo. The concept of "loving your job" is a modern idea. Most people will hate their job simply because it is an form of physical/intellectual prostitution in exchange for money. May as well just get on with the job I reckon. OP, don't throw away the job. It could be an asset to you yet no matter how if makes you feel. Just be glad you don't live in Victorian times where 15 hours days weren't uncommon. A Job > no Job imo. Employers will want to know why he jacked in his job should he leave it. It's an employers market out there.

Sorry dude, but as it stands, silkworm53 is the one talking sense here.

Well, if you actually read my post, you'd see that I said myself I didn't agree with leaving a job to sit on the dole. I said he could consider going into something completely different. Obviously something he could set up before leaving his current position. I just don't agree with this mentality that 'sure everyone hates their job' and that he should feel lucky to have one. Life is too short to be that miserable for a long time and there's nothing worse than venting about an awful job and being told you're lucky to have it. Being told that other people have it worse and that people worked more in Victorian times isn't going to make him any happier. I haven't been out of work for more than a week since leaving college (bar when I was doing MA exams and my thesis). I've left jobs that other people told me I was lucky to have, simply because I couldn't stick it any longer. There ARE plenty of jobs which are pretty fun and enjoyable. I haven't had the need to do the awful commute and monotonous 10 hour office job in quite some time. I'm just pointing out that there are alternatives. The thought of doing a job like that for the next few years would make me extremely depressed.

silkworm53

Jeremias Alive Glue wrote: »

Well, if you actually read my post, you'd see that I said myself I didn't agree with leaving a job to sit on the dole. I said he could consider going into something completely different. Obviously something he could set up before leaving his current position. I just don't agree with this mentality that 'sure everyone hates their job' and that he should feel lucky to have one. Life is too short to be that miserable for a long time and there's nothing worse than venting about an awful job and being told you're lucky to have it. Being told that other people have it worse and that people worked more in Victorian times isn't going to make him any happier. I haven't been out of work for more than a week since leaving college (bar when I was doing MA exams and my thesis). I've left jobs that other people told me I was lucky to have, simply because I couldn't stick it any longer. There ARE plenty of jobs which are pretty fun and enjoyable. I haven't had the need to do the awful commute and monotonous 10 hour office job in quite some time. I'm just pointing out that there are alternatives. The thought of doing a job like that for the next few years would make me extremely depressed.

Sorry mate but I have to reiterate that there is a massive recession which could turn into a full blown depression and there are no jobs. So it would be utter madness to give up a paying job and go on the dole especially when the IMF is probably going to take over the economic management of the country and slash social welfare.
Out of work for a week? Well there are thousands and thousands of people who have been out of work for more than 2 years and can't even get a job in Burger King - these people are architects, accountants, stock broker, solicitors, doctors, civil engineers - you name it are applying for door to door sales jobs because there is nothing else available.

silkworm53

silkworm53 wrote: »

Sorry mate but I have to reiterate that there is a massive recession which could turn into a full blown depression and there are no jobs. So it would be utter madness to give up a paying job and go on the dole especially when the IMF is probably going to take over the economic management of the country and slash social welfare.
Out of work for a week? Well there are thousands and thousands of people who have been out of work for more than 2 years and can't even get a job in Burger King - these people are architects, accountants, stock broker, solicitors, doctors, civil engineers - you name it are applying for door to door sales jobs because there is nothing else available.

You know, it really would be helpful to read what I'm actually saying. I never said he should give up a job to go on the dole. I said he should find an alternative job and then leave the current one. There ARE jobs. It's quite simply sheep-like thinking to state that there are no jobs and that ten hour days and 3 hour commutes are necessary. I managed to stay employed all through the recession. How did I do that, then, if there are no jobs? How come all my friends have jobs? If you're willing to change career and especially if you're able to move abroad, there are quite a few options available. I'm getting paid to stay in nice hotels in various European capitals several times a month while my friend is still moaning about her boring 9-5 job in Dublin. The only difference between us is that she subscribed to the mentality that the steady 9-5 was necessary, despite having no kids, no mortgage and no commitments at all. In fact she has fewer ties to home than I do. And she could still be let go with a week's notice. There's nothing particularly special about me, I just realised I couldn't hack that rubbish any longer. Life is for living, not sitting on the motorway or in a windowless cubicle for almost all your waking hours.

Now, obviously I'm aware that having a family and a mortgage cuts down your options considerably, but OP hasn't mentioned anything about that, so I'm assuming a career change or working abroad are possible. I just think you shouldn't underestimate how truly soul destroying it is to do something you hate day in, day out. Some people can put up with that if they have money coming in and food on the table, some can't. I'm definitely not suggesting he should go on the dole, I'm suggesting that there might just be a way to change things.

silkworm53

Jeremias Alive Glue wrote: »

You know, it really would be helpful to read what I'm actually saying. I never said he should give up a job to go on the dole. I said he should find an alternative job and then leave the current one. There ARE jobs. It's quite simply sheep-like thinking to state that there are no jobs and that ten hour days and 3 hour commutes are necessary. I managed to stay employed all through the recession. How did I do that, then, if there are no jobs? How come all my friends have jobs? If you're willing to change career and especially if you're able to move abroad, there are quite a few options available. I'm getting paid to stay in nice hotels in various European capitals several times a month while my friend is still moaning about her boring 9-5 job in Dublin. The only difference between us is that she subscribed to the mentality that the steady 9-5 was necessary, despite having no kids, no mortgage and no commitments at all. In fact she has fewer ties to home than I do. And she could still be let go with a week's notice. There's nothing particularly special about me, I just realised I couldn't hack that rubbish any longer. Life is for living, not sitting on the motorway or in a windowless cubicle for almost all your waking hours.

Now, obviously I'm aware that having a family and a mortgage cuts down your options considerably, but OP hasn't mentioned anything about that, so I'm assuming a career change or working abroad are possible. I just think you shouldn't underestimate how truly soul destroying it is to do something you hate day in, day out. Some people can put up with that if they have money coming in and food on the table, some can't. I'm definitely not suggesting he should go on the dole, I'm suggesting that there might just be a way to change things.

There are no jobs. Seriously. There are no jobs.:D

George Orwell 1982

silkworm53 wrote: »

There are no jobs. Seriously. There are no jobs.:D

I'm inclined to agree. Things are bad and they are getting worse.

The OP has a job. He should focus on ways that he can make his working day more enjoyable and improve his mood. Unless he is being very badly treated (which the OP doesn't mention) I think its unlikely that his job is soley responsible for the way he is feeling.

Perhaps the OP could explain what it is that is so bad about the job and if he is feeling low all the time or just in work?

silkworm53

silkworm53 wrote: »

There are no jobs. Seriously. There are no jobs.:D

Yeah, I must have an imaginary job and so must all my friends. There are just no jobs in the entire world. You're right.

George Orwell1982 wrote:

Perhaps the OP could explain what it is that is so bad about the job and if he is feeling low all the time or just in work?

He said he hated the job. If you're spending all your time in a job you hate, how could you NOT be miserable? He's working ten hour days, probably sitting at a desk staring at spreadsheets or something equally boring, and spending 2.5 hours a day commuting to and from work. Sure, it's better than being broke and homeless. Sure, he's better off than many people. But it could be so much better. When I used to say how miserable I was with my dull desk job, a lot of people told me to just put up with it because 'nobody likes their job.' It's utter BS. No job is perfect, many jobs aren't easy, but plenty of people get at least some level of satisfaction from their job. I realised that sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day wasn't for me. The numerous advantages other people go on about (unlimited tea/coffee, generous lunch break, no physical exertion etc) didn't really make a difference. I'm not going to convince you, but I just think life is far too short to be miserable for such a long time, especially if you have no serious commitments like a family or a mortgage.

George Orwell 1982

Jeremias Alive Glue wrote: »

He said he hated the job. If you're spending all your time in a job you hate, how could you NOT be miserable?

Maybe he hates his job because he is suffering from depression. I suspect what is happening here is that the OP is feeling low and he is blaming everything on his job, when in reality he is in a very fortunate position in that he is in full time paid employment.

The OP needs to establish if his job really is the problem (I doubt it) and if it isn't he needs to be thinking about how he can lift his mood/ self esteem and feel better about himself and his life.

George Orwell 1982

Jeremias Alive Glue wrote: »

When I used to say how miserable I was with my dull desk job, a lot of people told me to just put up with it because 'nobody likes their job.' It's utter BS. No job is perfect, many jobs aren't easy, but plenty of people get at least some level of satisfaction from their job. I realised that sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day wasn't for me. The numerous advantages other people go on about (unlimited tea/coffee, generous lunch break, no physical exertion etc) didn't really make a difference. I'm not going to convince you, but I just think life is far too short to be miserable for such a long time, especially if you have no serious commitments like a family or a mortgage.

And lots of people go from job to job wondering why they are unhappy. Sometimes the problem isn't the job its a more long term issue to do with self-esteem and self confidence.

nyarlothothep

Jobs can be the sole source of making an individual misreable, it could be bullying, or just the fact that the individual isn't suited to the rigours of long commutes and the daily grind, not all people are the same or suited to the same professions, thats basic sociology, that there are variables. To the OP I would advise you to have a plan B should you wish to quit your job, ie a different career path/job lined up/degree. Do what you want, not what others expect of you.

medici

Eh, I'm quitting my job in a few days' time because I'm not completely happy with it....also keep getting told "Cop on, you should be happy you have a job"...

The company is going to re-hire somebody to replace me and could do so at the drop of a hat - I'm happy that somebody else who's probably going to be delighted with getting my job has the opportunity to do so.

Dinge

OP I suggest you keep your job and put a big effort into finding another one. Do you really think things will be made easier on that front if you leave your job? I once walked out of a job that I hated and ended up on the dole. While I did manage to find another one after a while, I found that being on the jam roll made it harder for me to even get interviews. Employers do look at gaps in CVs and ask why the person applying isn't working. I don't know how things work now because there are so many people unemployed but perhaps it's the same.

It made a big hole in my savings because I had to continue to pay my car loan and a couple of other non-avoidable expenses out of my dole money. It was also horrible not knowing when I'd get another job. Don't underestimate the ****e-ness of that.

When you go for interviews for jobs and you're already in a job, it takes the pressure off a bit. Go for an interview for a job when you're on the dole and that changes matters entirely. Things aren't being helped either by the sheer volume of people who are on the dole and the competition you will be facing to even get another job.

No doubt others in this thread will disagree with what I've said but I'm putting forward my experience