The daily grind of a so-called “dead-end” job can be soul-crushing. The hours are long, the work is tedious, and the pay is barely enough to get by. For many people, it is the never-ending cycle of working a job they hate to make ends meet that makes work at times unbearable.
The key to surviving a dead-end job is to have a good attitude and to be able to find humor in the situation. However, even with the best attitude, there will still be struggles. One of the biggest struggles is terrible management.
Poorly run businesses do not invest in their employees, which can lead to a lack of development opportunities and a feeling of stagnation.
If you’re in a dead-end job, it’s important to remember that it doesn’t have to be this way forever. Start looking for something new and exciting to give you the challenge and satisfaction you deserve. And when you find it, don’t be afraid to quit your old job quietly — you’ll be doing yourself a favor.
What is quiet quitting, and how does it happen?
Quiet quitting is the new trend that’s taking over the internet, and it’s not hard to see why. The trend started with a few viral TikTok videos, and now half of the US workforce is doing it, according to Gallup.
The idea is simple: It means working your job every day, never taking on extra unpaid tasks or projects, clocking off at 5 pm, and never responding to work messages outside the office.
Quiet quitting is a form of protest against your employer who gives extra, unpaid work to employees. There is an emphasis on not working outside of work hours, and shutting off your work brain the moment you clock out. That opens up the evenings for time you can spend on yourself, whether it’s a night binging your favorite show or working on a new hobby.
It can be a great way to save yourself some aggravation and stress while keeping your job and main source of income.
Reasons for quiet quitting
Quiet quitting can be a way of escape for many stuck employees. There can be many reasons for such behavior. Some common causes are the following.
- Lack of passion for work — many people find that they are working more than they enjoy, which can lead to a feeling of stagnation. With more responsibilities piling up, workers feel overwhelmed and exhausted.
- Unpaid workload — Extra unpaid working hours are frustrating and disheartening, leaving employees with little reason to take pride in their efforts. According to a Deloitte Global survey, a vast proportion of young people are facing a day-to-day financial crisis.
- Lack of appreciation — If you’re not receiving recognition or feedback for your work, it can be hard to continue putting in diligent efforts. This can lead to depression and discouragement and convince somebody to not work free of charge or extra without being paid.
All of these reasons contribute to an imbalance in work and personal life. When everything is forced into one schedule — at home or work — balancing everything becomes complicated. This can lead you to resent both personal and professional life commitments.
How to move on from a job?
In today’s economy, finding a job that’s exciting and engaging is hard. There are a lot of reasons why keeping a job just for the paycheck is understandable and financially advisable. When you’re ready to start looking, there are plenty of ways to figure out what you should do next.
What kind of work is more fulfilling and, perhaps, more financially rewarding? Even when quiet quitting, it’s hard to fully detach from the work week. If you’re not enjoying your job, other aspects of your life may also suffer.
You can directly talk to your employer about how much work you can take and decide ask about a raise for the extra workload.
If this doesn’t work, instead of compromising your quality of work by quietly quitting, it may be time to move on to other available opportunities.
To find jobs while working full-time in the office, you must be proactive and network. There are many ways to get your resume seen by employers, and networking is the best. Start by attending job fairs and networking events for professionals in your industry. Try and build contact with industry recruiters and SMEs.
Furthermore, take advantage of job-search resources such as LinkedIn and Indeed, which allow you to see many opportunities at your fingertips. You can also research companies and check out their websites. Identify what type of work they are looking for and reach out with your resume.
Focusing on these steps can help ease the transition and help you move on from a job that’s not right for you, while not jeopardizing your current position.
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