What do I do if I'm dissatisfied with my job?
If you're dissatisfied with your job, first decide whether your unhappiness will go with you to another job. So many people find that they go from job to job and they're equally unhappy; this is the same reason that many people move all the time. They figure that "If I only found a better place; a better geography, or whatever." Usually problems go with them. So, I first invite you to take a hard look inward and ask yourself if your unhappiness is really because of that miserable boss or the job, or how much is within you. Are you a kvetch? Or, is it that you really don't have the skills and you're being a difficult personality? You probably don't know. We live in the land of self-esteem in the United States. Everybody's self-esteem is above average. What I recommend people do, when they're unhappy in a job, is get a 360 evaluation. Beg for honest feedback from co-workers, customers, bosses, et cetera, and say, "Please, I'm really trying to assess myself and grow as a professional. Would you give me your candid opinions?" If you think that they may be afraid to be honest with you, make up a little half-page form with a smiley face on the top half and a frowny face on the other saying the good stuff and the bad stuff, and say, "Just fill it out anonymously. Fill it out in 10-point courier type so nobody can tell it was you, and let me know what you really think. It would be the greatest gift you could ever give me." That's what you should do. Then, if you find that really the problem is the job, then of course go look for another job. However, three-quarters of the time, the problem lies with you.
