Never Settle for the Job You Have

By Joey Trebif
Founder, CareerAlley

In the not too distant past, most people had to rely on jobs that were nearby or listed in the newspaper under the classified section. This all has changed since the growth and development of the Internet. Now, people are able to find a variety of work, whether it’s from home or offered in a completely new city. This means you don’t have to settle for a job that may be less than ideal for your needs. Landing a job instead that is great for your career and will provide positive impact for you in a variety of ways.

Stress Levels

One reason many people look for a new job is high stress levels in their current job. Too many people work day-to-day in jobs they don’t like. This adds to stress levels and could be dangerous for your mental and physical health. Studies show that those who are miserable at work are more likely to suffer from illnesses, anxiety, high-blood pressure, depression and may experience disrupted sleep patterns. Stress can contribute to severe complications and could eventually lead to heart attacks or stroke. Landing your dream job will certainly reduce your stress level. 

Self-Esteem

Many of those who work in jobs they don’t like do so because they don’t believe they can amount to more. Even those who have a high confidence level can find themselves with low self-esteem in a job they don’t like (or with poor working conditions).  Success is more centered around your determination to achieve more and being proactive in improving your situation. Although some people may have restrictions on what they can do, it shouldn’t contribute to a decision to stay at a job they loathe. Instead, find a great job that matches your background.

Improving Your Lifestyle

Although you may like the job you have, is it conducive to improving your lifestyle? Do you have the right work-life balance and can you move up in your current company? These are questions you should ask yourself. Perhaps this isn’t where you want to be in five years. Perhaps you want more out of life than what you have now. Many successful people in careers, such as Ian Mackechnie Amscot, started out with good jobs but wanted to do more. They went on to improve their situations further, even if it meant switching the focus of their careers completely. What you’re doing right now doesn’t have to be what you do in a decade.

[Related: Leverage Your Educational Experiences During Your Job Search]

Missed Opportunities

When you don’t put effort into improving your situation, you’ll never see the opportunities that may unfold before you. When you settle for the job you have, you won’t notice the career that you were qualified for that could have paid you much more than you’re making now. A career change can be a great experience. Don’t miss opportunities to improve your career, be proactive in your career management.

Improving Your Future

What you do today will contribute to your financial future. Although you might not consider retirement now, it’s a long term goal you should be focused on. Start building on your career achievements today. A better paying job will provide opportunities to save for retirement, college for your children and the ability to upgrade your lifestyle. 

There’s no time like the present to find your dream job. Leverage the power of social media. Are you on LinkedIn? If not, create a great LinkedIn profile. Start connecting with others, join groups, and contribute to discussions. Research hiring managers in your industry, and start contacting them directly. Show them how you are a great solution for whatever problem they’re facing in their company.

This article was written by Joey Trebif at CareerAlley and was republished with permission.