Resume Digest Blog

Do you feel caught in a career path that is leading nowhere? Do you sense your skills are not recognised? Do you watch the clock and pine away until it is time to go home? The question is: what are you prepared to do about it?

Is job satisfaction a luxury when so many are out of work wondering if they will be evicted out of their dwelling?

You can only tackle one problem at a time and when your pain threshold has been hit it is time to action.

Is there anything you can do in your workplace to improve things? Has anything changed for the better since you joined your current employer? Did you have anything to do with it? Have you made any friends there? Have you made any efforts to make it happen?

No matter how bad your environment is you need to sort your issues into two categories: those that are beyond your control and those you can do something about. Bosses are not totally stupid and unaware of what goes on. They simply have a different perspective to yours and different priorities also (like reaching their target or facing the sack...).

Ultimately an office or factory is made up of people. While you keep an eye on the job market why not make good use of your time to sharpen your social skills. Maybe you carry an invisible sign around your neck that says: "do not talk to me - I am not interested in you" maybe your peers have a certain idea of you that needs to be dismissed.

On your way home, review mentally opportunities during the day where you could have made a difference for someone else. Could you have spoken some genuine uplifting word? Could you have lent a helping hand to ease another person's burden? Could you have stayed a bit later to finish a report someone else is waiting for?

Work on your connections. Show yourself to be dependable, adaptable, broad-minded, aware of your surroundings. It may take some time for people to pick up on the changes in your approach. In a world where everybody is looking after Number One you will shine like someone worth getting to know better.

When people see you are prepared to give out of yourself for no obvious benefit in return you will be sought after. No more rejection, no more isolation, no more intimidation.

How long can you afford to be kind and let others take advantage of it? The answer: as long as you are prepared to wait to see a change in your circumstances. If you choose to leave it will not be a wasted effort. It would have been a perfect dress rehearsal for the real opportunity waiting for you in the wings.