Q. I hate my job! There is no way I could learn to love –or even like! — my current job. What can I do to keep my sanity while I search for a new one?
A. It is awful to hate your job. Looking for a new one sounds like a great plan. Before we talk about keeping your sanity in your current role, let’s make sure that your search won’t land you in a situation like the one you’re in now.
Do you know exactly why you hate your job? Take some time to analyze: is it the commute, the boss, the mission, the workload, the pace, a mismatch with your work style? Or is it your co-workers, the culture, the pay, the company size?
Once you are on top of what is really bothering you, you will redirect the energy in your search toward a job and an overall situation that you will love, rather than just an escape hatch away from the current job and situation you hate. To help preserve your sanity until you find that new job, focus on anything you can that keeps you positive. If it is possible, find a time to chat with your manager about one thing that is bothering you, propose a fix, and offer to implement it.
That might be a productive distraction for you. Counter-balance your work life stress by taking care of yourself outside of your job — eat right, exercise and find joy in friends family, and activities that you enjoy.
Q. Should I “dumb down” my resume? I have two graduate degrees and more than 15 years of experience in my field. I know that sometimes people want to dumb down their resume because they don’t want to come across as overqualified and lose out on an interview – and I haven’t seen anyone recommend dumbing down. But what if I want to play down my qualifications because I actually want to find a job with less responsibility and easier hours? Is it OK then?
A. First, let’s talk about the concept of “dumbing down.” Some applicants will delete a degree or change a job title so it appears to reflect a lower level of responsibility. Misrepresenting yourself on a resume is never a good idea for a lot of reasons, the first of which is if you are caught, it’s a deal breaker (and it is pretty easy to get caught).
Second, diminishing your value today could haunt you when you are looking for a future position, especially if there is an internal opening and your resume comes back out missing the key accomplishments that could net you a promotion. It is true that underemployment is better than unemployment, but being underemployed with a dumbed-down resume could shoot you in the foot long-term.
All that said, there are ways to downplay big accomplishments so you can get the fit you want. You can omit listing an advanced degree or specialized training if they are unrelated to the job you want. You can customize a summary of qualifications that speaks directly to the job description. And don’t estimate the power of a well-written, sincere cover letter that succinctly explains what you are looking for in a position.
Sherri Sacks is a Career Coach for the JCS Career Center. The JCS Career Center offers comprehensive employment services to help job seekers of all abilities and skill levels find and maintain employment or change their career. Services include career coaching, career assessments, resumes, interview preparation, and connections to employers who are hiring. For more information, call 410-466-9200 or visit jcsbaltimore.org.
When interviewing for a job, focus on everything you have to offer a prospective employer, advises Karen Hammer of the Ignite Career Center.
People with disabilities bring the same assets and qualities to a job as any other perspective employee, writes Stanley Stith of Jewish Community Services.
When contemplating a new job, think about greater work satisfaction beyond simply salary, writes Carol Henger of the Ignite Career Center.
Lisa Cohn of the Ignite Career Center offers tips on how to consider personal career fit in your job search.