Job Search Guidance
Job Search Guidance
"The grass is not, in fact, always greener on the other side of the fence. No, not at all. Fences have nothing to do with it. The grass is greenest where it is watered. When crossing over fences, carry water with you and tend the grass wherever you may be."
- Robert Fulghum
Frustration in a job is not unusual. We are a vast collection of very unique people living and working should to shoulder with each other much of the time. People will have different motivators, ideas of right/wrong, principals, likes/dislikes, senses of humor, etc. This creates a situation where we will not all agree on the correct path forward and sometimes we will be very frustrated or angry.
I have been there and know that most people have experienced varying degrees of this sort of situation. The ability to deal with this seems to vary greatly across the wide spectrum of humanity. This allows some of us to 'grin and bear it' and others of us 'vote with our feet' and charge off to a new village.
There is no right or wrong answer to the question of what to do with extreme levels of frustration in the work place. Well, legally, I suppose, there are some actions which are certainly not the right ones. Refrain from violence or illegal activity. After that boundary condition, each person and situation will respond uniquely. The one thing you shouldn't do is react in the moment with decisive and career changing action. Swallow hard for the moment and buy yourself some time to think thoughtfully about next steps.
Things to think through:
Did the action in the situation cross a legal boundary line? Should it be reported or do you need to get legal representation?
If you quit this position today, what happens for you and the people you are responsible for?
Is there a single event or a pattern of similar activity that drives your dissatisfaction with the work place?
Do the frustrations you share seem to be similar to others that you talk with or is it very unique.
What is the economic condition in the marketplace?
How is the companies performance situation?
Do you believe that things will be different in a different role or organization?
If you decide you are going to leave, do you quit immediately or start your job search and hold out for a time to create a more stable transition for yourself?
We are back to the discussion about the grass being greener on the other side of the fence. Most of us have a fairly optimistic gene in our DNA that assumes the work situation can be better in other organizations, and while that is certainly true, there is a big difference between 'it could' be and 'it will' be. When you switch and begin to work for a new company, there are certain realities of a business environment with bosses, egos, drivers for profitability and the reality of people interacting together that complicate this hope.
This doesn't mean that it will be worse on the other side of the fence and you shouldn't make a jump. It just means that you should know that it will be 'different' and likely not a utopia. Manage your expectations appropriately. Prepare yourself for new tasks, new bosses, new personalities, new operating rules and new expectations.
You will need to embrace the idea of 'starting over.' Be prepared to prove yourself and your co-workers of your skills and capabilities. This can be really positive and healthy. Lean into the newness and understand the differences in culture, roles, responsibilities and performance.
There are many people that have stayed in the same organization for decades and ridden out the ups and downs of the company's journey and been very happy with their choice. There are equally as many people that have chosen to work in multiple organizations and have had fulfilling careers and lives also.
If you find yourself staring across the fence and feel the pull of the grass on the other side. Just recognize that a different field of grass to operate in will bring with it it's own share of challenges.
