Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Tips to retain your job in current harsh economy (1/2)

Hate your job? In today’s harsh economic environment, it may be more practical to identify the reasons and fix them, than to fly off the handle or let yourself be defeated easily.

Everybody gets the blues sometimes, and that’s as true at one’s job as it is outside the office. When the ennui sets in, it gets harder to retain the spring in your step as you head out to work each morning. The stress begins to show. You start coming up with reasons why your job is not right for you. But at a time when employees are being handed pink slips, it has become harder to assume that the “right job” is waiting for you just around the corner. So don’t rush to type up that resignation — give your job one more chance. Here are some tips on changing your job from “boring” to “interesting”. (Source: The Times of India)

Tip 1: Be the vehicle of change

This really is the first step to any change. List the problems you’re having, and the possible solutions to them. Think about them, and you’ll find there are many small and big changes that could improve your situation. List those changes and start working to implement them—that effort will have to come from you.

Tip 2: Change your perspective

It’s all in the mind, say psychologists. Recall the reasons why, during your first few months on the job, you thought it was a great one. Unless your work situation has changed drastically, some of those reasons probably still hold true. For instance, Ritu, an operator in a call centre back office, hated the extended working hours at her workplace, yet spent a good five years at it simply because her colleagues were like an extended family.

Tip 3: Bring about real changes

Go back to that list of the positive changes you can make. Now is the time to bring them about. Often, the reason an employee wants to quit her job is that she feels she hasn’t got what she deserves from her seniors. If you think you’ve been denied the promotion you deserve, for instance, consider talking it out with your seniors. But before marching into your boss’s office waving your list of demands, review your own work critically—from the boss’s point of view. Of course, keep in mind that talking it out is best done only when you are on a strong footing.

... CLICK HERE for Part 2 of this series ...