To job hunt or not to job hunt

RainbowPenguin

Hey guys 🙂 so here's the situation: I have a stable fairly well-paid job that I've been at for about 1.5 years, and I can't say I really enjoy it. Most people are nice but the work is boring, and the boss is a well-meaning but... let's say often patronising and highly-strung bloke who no-one actually likes. Also some weeks I get shifts where I have to wake up at 4:30 am, or work all through the evening.

So, in autumn I was like "I HAVE to leave here" and I've applied for a few jobs, and sometimes got to the interview stage. No offers yet, but it's not the rejction that bothers me weirdly. (Yay for resilience!) The problem is a lot of jobs I'd like I've realised I don't have important experience for, like social media or SEO or driving. I also have a blog where I [try and make myself overcome procrastination and] write stuff i want to, to build a portfolio of stuff that's more varied and interesting than my current company's dry boring output. And time/energy-wise, ive found that in any given week/fortnight i can do a good (to me) job on a job application OR all the other things i want, like driving theory studying with some blogging and a Skillshare course/online masterclass/ etc. But not both.

Also, ive found ways to make my job bearable if not a dream job. Like podcasts while I work; walks on my lunch break; scheduling activities for weekends instead of weeknights when I'll often need to go to bed early or wake up tired.

So I'm thinking of taking a break from the job search, focusing on stuff that will make me a better media person but still be fulfilling, and take the stupid company's damn money. (Unless I somehow get the latest job I applied for, but never mind that now.)

But... maybe it's silly, but I'll feel like a failure if I stay at this job too long. Not because of any bullying or toxicity, it's not that bad. But because I still tolerate rather than like it, and also the company has a small team but a high turnover rate, and i keep comparing myself to my former colleagues' success at getting out! Also, i feel like im wasting my journalism degree staying at a job where I don't get to use lots of the skills i learned. (Including the above-mentioned skills that i should be good at but im notalthough tbf i was battling some mental health issues during my studies.) Anyway, the last guy who quit, his last words (lol) to me were "Don't stay at [firm] too long!" And I feel like I'm failing at that. Even though I'm not actually that desperate to succeed! At least not right now.

I mean... anyone who's been able to read through this saga... what do you think? Is this a crazy hang-up or should I just go back to focusing on job hunting and set aside the other stuff (still taking time obv for cooking, social stuff etc) until I've found a new job? (But then what if the new place is even worse?! Aaaaargh...)

Anyway, thanks for reading. I admire your perseverance haha 💙

amy02

Gosh I can hear how confusing this is for you @RainbowPenguin thanks for sharing with us It's always a tricky situation when deciding whether to move on or not, and as you say, you'll never know 100% what another job or company would be like. I think it's a really positive thing that you're keeping an eye out on other jobs - even just knowing what's out there is a good idea Likewise, progressing your skills sounds like a great idea, and will be of help when you do decide to move on It's difficult to give you a conclusive answer here, but it sounds like you're thinking proactively and have some ideas on developing your skillset Keep us updated!