What do you do when you hate your career?

Don't be concerned! When you're trapped in a job that makes you hate everything, from your morning commute to the rest of your day, it could be difficult to figure out the best approach for breaking out of this rut, but getting out of this rut is no different from fixing any other issue. You must act deliberately and with some forethought.

Just Catch Your Breath

Seriously, do yourself a favor and inhale deeply right this second. In circumstances similar to yours, it may seem as if every day presents you with a cause to make a hasty choice; nonetheless, it is essential that you recognize that you are free to take your time and should do so.

It is OK not to pursue returning to school at this time if you are aware that doing so will need a significant amount of work and effort on your part. At the very least, you should know that much to put your mind at ease. Leaving your job without having any kind of contingency plan in place is a hazardous move; thus, it is in your best interest to continue working there while you focus all of your energy on finding a new one. In addition, if you are already employed when you get an offer from a different employer, you will have more power with which to negotiate.

Determine the Nature of the Issue

After you've collected yourself and taken a few deep breaths, the first step in devising a solution is to make sure you fully comprehend the nature of the issue at hand.

Put in writing everything that drives you crazy about the work that you have now. Getting them out in the open will help you figure out what the problem is. Take a look at your list and ask yourself whether the things you detest are connected to your organization, your field, or merely the position you play in the organization. For example, if you despise the method in which your coworkers compete against one another, the problem most certainly lies with the culture of your firm. If you find that you can't take putting together repetitive reports every day, the problem is usually not with you but with the position.

And if the reports, along with virtually everything else that you do during the day, are the things that get on your nerves, then you could be working in the wrong field. This list will assist you in determining what not to do while searching for a new job, which is necessary before it is worth your time to look.

Plan Your Solution

You should now be aware of the true source of the issue, which might be with your work, the firm, or the industry as a whole—or all three. Your plan of action will change according on the results of your investigation. The importance of networking cannot be overstated, though, and this holds true regardless of whether or not you want to remain with the current firm.

Have conversations with your pals regarding their jobs. Invite a coworker out for coffee and use the time to ask them questions. Make use of LinkedIn to make new contacts, and when you already have some, ask them to introduce you to others. Find a local meeting to attend and introduce yourself to individuals who work in businesses and fields outside of your own if you are feeling up to the challenge.

As soon as you've finished your investigation, you'll be able to decide what steps to take depending on which of the following scenarios best applies to you:

If You Enjoy Your Job but Despise the Company You Work For

In the event that you discover that your company is the source of the issue, it is time to begin the application process. Before you do so, make sure that your CV is up to date, that you highlight your successes and the outcomes of your job, and that you always have a good attitude while talking about your present employer. Talk about the practical talents you've picked up or the ones you wish to pick up in the future and put to use. During a job interview, it is inappropriate to criticize a prior employer in any way.

If You Despise Both Your Job and the Industry It's In,

If you come to the conclusion that your specific role (such as the data you work with, the clients you serve, the amount of writing that is required) and the industry itself are contributing factors to the stress you feel, then the tasks you are responsible for performing will become somewhat more difficult.

This is due to the fact that you will need to determine the things that are important to you. Instead of attempting to pin down your passion, which can be a very difficult process!, consider asking yourself the questions that are recommended by author Whitney Johnson, including the following:

Which talents have been most beneficial to your success?

What is it that gives you a sense of power?

What was it about you as a kid that made you stand out?

What kinds of praises do you often disregard?

I can guarantee that you are skilled at something. If you find that coming up with these answers does not help, consider following the advice of communication expert Alexandra Franzen and coming up with a life project rather than a life purpose.

And lastly, if you're still having trouble figuring things out, you may want to try working with a career coach who can guide you through the process (for more information on scheduling a 30-minute appointment with a coach, click here).

Keep in mind that you shouldn't go too far ahead of yourself. Finding a new job, a new line of work, or even a completely new interest may take some time and is a challenge that a large number of us face. You will figure out how to get out of the scenario in which you are ignorant if you slow down, pinpoint the issue, formulate a strategy for addressing it, and consciously concentrate on bringing about a change.

This post is part of our monthly Ask a Career Coach series, which is a column devoted to assisting you in addressing the most pressing problems you have with your professional life. Send us an email at askacareercoach (at) themuse (dot) com if you have a burning question about your career that you'd want one of our coaches to address. They'll be happy to do so.

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