Here’s why you should still be thankful for your job.
Hi Everyone!
Melissa Varischetti here, owner of FindAJobPA.com, with November’s monthly blog post.
It’s that time of year when we are all thinking about Thanksgiving, and making lists of things we’re thankful for. It’s also a great time of year to be mindful of things you’re thankful for in your job, even if it’s not the greatest job on the planet. So, in the spirit of thankfulness, I wanted to share a few thoughts to help you be thankful for your job, especially if you have your mind set on finding that next position.
1. It’s A Paycheck
Normally you want more from a job than just a paycheck – you want something fulfilling and exciting with opportunities for career growth and advancement. You want to feel like you’re making the world a better place by doing what you’re doing. But, if a job’s not going great (and I know we’ve all been there at one point or another), you can always at least be thankful for the income. And if your job also offers benefits like health insurance and a retirement plan, there are even more things to be thankful for.
And this assumes you don’t have any surplus each month – if you’re fortunate enough to have discretionary income after paying your bills, consider how you can use those extra funds to make up for the fact that your job is less than optimal. Perhaps you can take a week off and vacation somewhere fun. Or you can start up a college fund for a friend or family member. Or you can make a donation to a charity you care about. While having a fulfilling job is certainly one part of a great life, it’s not the only thing that can bring joy and happiness. Remember that there are folks who’d love to have your job, even if it isn’t exactly what you think is the best position for you currently.
2. It’s better to be employed while looking for a new job
One thing recruiters love to see is time management and diversified experiences. If you can prove you’re adept at balancing what you’re doing currently with applying for other jobs, it shows recruiters that you’re good at multitasking and handling multiple priorities. Practically, having a job while searching for another one also means the bills still get paid and you at least won’t have finances keeping you up at night.
You can also leverage your current job to help you get another one. Does your job offer training classes, certifications, or reimbursement for higher education? Are there professional organizations you can join while working at your current job? Whenever possible, take advantage of those programs to set yourself up for future career success.
3. You really are making a difference
It may not feel like it at the moment, but you really are making a difference by working where you’re at. If there was not a genuine need for what you do, you wouldn’t have this particular job. One thing I’ve always reminded myself of is, even if I can’t see the value in what I’m doing, it’s paying my bills and helping me be a better person, so I can make a difference in the places I’m involved in. My job might not feel rewarding, but I can take the Christmas bonus I got and support local small businesses. My day-to-day tasks may feel menial, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be positive about what I’m doing and look for ways to innovate and distinguish myself.
These are just a few thoughts I had going into the Thanksgiving season. Believe me, I’ve worked my share of bad jobs! I know what you’re going through. But stick with it, find ways you can be thankful for what you do have, and leverage your current position to make your next one even better.
Until next time,
Melissa
