How to Know When a Job Isn’t Worth the Money

What are you willing to put up with for $10, $15 or $20 plus an hour? After reading a long job description, if the money is right, you go along with it. But how do you know you are in over your head and how do you get out?

Looking around your workspace, you see what you need to do and you might know by now how long it is going to take you to complete certain projects. You also know too how much financial responsibility you have and how much money it is going to take to free you out of some of it too. Now when you first took on the job you were willing to go along with certain things, although the pay wasn’t exactly what you wanted, but nothing else was happening at the time. Things change.

The first thing you will want to start doing is re-evaluating how much money you really need and start targeting jobs that are now available that are going to pay you what you are worth. You are also going to want to keep your eyes open for opportunities in your current position that will pay you more. By keeping watch on what you really want and taking some action, you will less likely become resentful of your present role.

The next thing you will want to do is ask others about what they are doing in similar roles and learn more about other companies in your industry. This way you will have some idea on growing changes, trends and whether you need to walk in the office and ask for a promotion. Be sure you have a list of the things you have been doing that will make management think, “Yes, I think this guy/gal is worth a pay increase.”

Now you will know when a job is not worth the money when you do the following: hear from others around the organization that there will be an increase of responsibilities, notice you are spending more time than necessary at work, your original duties are beginning to change or increase, and you are finding yourself having to learn a lot more new things and they don’t look anything like your job description.

Companies know how to get over on employees because they are well aware that they need their jobs. They are prepared for any backlash that might come when workers are asked to do more. They turn on the positivism in order to persuade people to stay for less while expecting them to do more. “There is a great opportunity that will lead to…You always wanted to do something like this, now is your chance…This is ground-breaking, innovative…you will want to be a part of this…We love our workers and we will give you…” Meanwhile, you sit back and realize that all your work is saving them money, while creating more headaches for you.  Is it worth it?

Nicholl McGuire is the owner and manager of this blog.

10 Reasons Why You Need to Look for Another Job

If you haven't started looking for a new job, you might if the cons are starting to outweigh the pros at your current job.  Sticking it out with an employer you simply don't like can wreck havoc on your health, relationship and finances.  Although you are receiving payment for your services, you most likely are spending a lot more money than you should to quell your disappointment with your career choice.  So here are 10 good reasons why you need to start looking for new employment today!

1)  There has been talk around the office that there will be major changes and you don't have the time or energy to deal with yet another long list of things to do.

2)  You stopped working as hard as you use to and it is starting to show.  Your co-workers have to clean up your errors more often and have to pick up your slack.

3)  No matter what anyone says to you about your work performance, attitude, etc. you have issue with them.

4)  You haven't been happy in a long time about your job.

5)  Your workplace woes are showing up in how you deal with your relatives or roommates.  They don't like you very much these days.

6)  Your child and/or pet often misses you and rather than take up time with him or her, you are increasingly annoyed with their mere appearance.

7)  Your partner has threatened divorce and when you think about it, your attitude about work is tied to your moodiness.  Who wants to live with that?

8)  No matter how much money, bonuses, promotions, accolades, etc. you receive, you are still not satisfied.

9)  You wish to be anywhere but work.

10)  You started looking for a job in the past hoping problems would just go away, but got distracted.  The problems are still there and you are powerless when it comes to solving them.

Now that you have read 10 reasons why setting on that mental path again to start looking for new work is occurring, start checking out those career boards.  No excuses, press forward!

Nicholl McGuire is the author of What Else Can I Do on the Internet?

Consistent Problems on the Job - 7 Tips for Those Thinking of Leaving the Rat Race

Sometimes people stay on jobs too long while feeling miserable like they do in their relationships-- something has to give?  When you know that you have had more than enough frustration on the job and possibly at home too, you will continue to think negatively, then what do you do?

1.  You re-evaluate your skills.  Take out that resume and start going over everything that you could be doing elsewhere.  So if you have a background in real estate, you take what you already do and apply those skills to other career fields.  Find out what others have done online simply by searching your current career field and transferrable skills.

2.  Don't talk yourself out of starting your own business.  Review videos and articles created by business owners on what they did to achieve their goals.  Who knows, maybe that is what your calling might be.

3.  Stop bad-mouthing about everyone you work with.  Really, what good is that going to do?  The more you talk badly about them, the more upset emotionally and physically you will become and before long you will end up in the hospital with tubes up your nose or send someone who often listens to your complaints there.

4.  Discuss with a partner about your concerns which means that he or she may have to do more than what he or she is already doing or make adjustments.  Also, consider putting teenagers to work.  See here: Home Opportunities  What are they doing especially during long breaks besides the typical stuff?

5.  Check around your house for things you don't need, want, etc.  By doing this, you are also preparing for the future when you just might decide to quit or get terminated from your job.  The extra money will come in handy.

6.  Don't make yourself do things when you know it is in your power to change your environment.  Now if you have no options, then stick it out until you can create some.

7.  Pray even if you aren't the least bit spiritual, something or someone that is upsetting you calls for a higher power other than yourself.  So dust off the holy word, sit still awhile, and ask God to help you.  The opposition will arise and so will the negative attitudes when people around you know that you are considering on leaving a job, because all they can think of is, "How are we going to maintain this lifestyle?"  You just might have to cut out some things and if your money is paying for it all, then start training your family members to live on less early on before you make your announcement.

Nicholl McGuire

I Need A New Job! 5 Reasons People Stay In Jobs They Hate

If You Are Unhappy on a Job then Does Money Really Matter?

For some workers, it doesn't matter how much they are paid if they aren't happy where they work, they don't complain or bad mouth management, they simply look for new employment.  But what do most employees do?  They continue to go into workplaces deeply resentful or their disappointment shows up on their faces.  Yet, they love that money.  Payday is the only time you see some smile.

Only you know how much personal happiness means to you as compared to money.  If all that matters is money, then you most likely will keep suffering, wishing and hoping that things might one day be different.  You will continue to look forward to your paycheck and then once the bills are paid it is back to the scowl, the deep sighs, etc.

Take a moment and pen all the things you like about your job and all the things you don't.  Then begin to check out the classifieds for positions related to what you really like to do.  You may not be ready to leave your current place of work, but at least make an honest effort to see what is out there at least once or twice a week.  Next, talk to others to find out what they like about their jobs and how they cope when things arise that they don't like.  You may find some wisdom in what they say that you can use until you are ready to seek different employment.

Money really shouldn't dictate your happiness when it comes to a job, rather the contentment should come from being grateful that you are able to do something you sincerely don't mind doing.  Too many people have wasted their lives chasing after wealth and in the end were filled with many regrets.  Your self-worth is far greater than your net-worth!

Nicholl McGuire is the author of When Mothers Cry and other books.

Donna Summer She Works Hard For The Money

Hate Your Job But Can't Leave? 5 Career Strategies to Survive, Thrive and Become More Marketable

Feeling forced to work in a job you hate is one of the biggest sources of job stress. It is critical to develop a game plan as early as possible. Many people promise themselves to stick it out, but eventually sabotage themselves because they hope they won't have to. Here are 5 strategies to get started.

Strategy #1: Change the way you talk about your job. It's easy to fall into the blame game. It's almost fun to call up a colleague and talk about how horrible your boss is and how you wish you could leave. But these conversations cause a downward spiral into deeper frustration.
Refuse to participate in negative conversations. Change the subject. Say your other phone is ringing. But do it.
When you find yourself feeling frustrated and angry, focus instead on what you want to feel, have and be. Instead of, "Why does he call meetings at the last minute?" say, "I want a work environment where we get at least a day to prepare for important meetings."
Some people find it helpful to create a mantra to recite when your company's name comes up in your thoughts. For instance, one person tried reciting, "Quiet. Respect. Reward." Over time, she was surprised at how calm she felt. She could think more clearly.

Strategy #2: Recognize areas where you can cut back on efforts without risking your job.
One of my acquaintances has a policy for his workplace. "When I get asked to do something that will take time, such as a change in the format of a report, I wait. Sometimes nothing happens. If it's really important, they will ask me a second or even third time."
Obviously this policy won't work everywhere. But you may be contributing to your own frustration by doing work that isn't valued or rewarded.

Strategy #3: Grow your career on company time.
Nearly every organization offers courses, seminars and growth opportunities. When you're feeling frustrated, it's easy to ignore them because you think, "I already have so much to do."
Meanwhile, begin using your free time to join networking groups and develop some free lance opportunities. You gain power as you gain independence.

Strategy #4: Schedule time to turn inward with meditation and silence.
When you're not sure what to do, it's easy to get involved in activity that doesn't carry much meaning. It's also easy to listen to a lot of bad advice. Some well-meaning friends will say, "You'd better hang in there. Good jobs are hard to find." Others, equally well-meaning, will urge you to resign even before you have another job lined up. You lose energy listening to this conflicting advice as you struggle to make your own decisions.

Strategy #5: Find a safe place to express your feelings, ideas and insights.
When you talk to colleagues and anyone who may become a colleague, keep your game face. You might miss out on a hot job lead because you're branded as dissatisfied or unmotivated. Anyway, complaining puts you in a one-down position.

Family and friends can be supportive confidantes if they understand your situation. On the other hand, you can jeopardize close relationships when you ask them to act as sounding boards. Every career coach has clients whose spouses have said, "Haven't you found another job yet? It's been a whole month."

Career coaching can seem expensive but it's a wise investment if you can hang on to your job while protecting your personal relationships and your sanity. Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., offers consulting services to mid-life, mid-career professionals who want to enjoy the first inning of their second career.

How to Manage Life at Work in a Job You Hate

When you realize that the average American spends over two thousand hours per year at work, almost half of their total waking time in a year, it quickly becomes clear how much of an impact your life at work can have on your life in general. Knowing how to make the most out of your life at work can greatly improve your quality of life, and at no time is this more important than when you're working in a job you dislike.

First, be friendly. Chances are, at least one other person is as unhappy with their job as you are with yours, so that can be a point of bonding. Or you may find that you share outside interests with others at work. Either way, you should always be cordial and pleasant to your co-workers, because nothing can make your work life less miserable like having someone to share it with.

A corollary of being friendly is never, ever talking about your co-workers or boss behind their backs, even though it is extremely tempting to vent when you're in a job you hate. Although participating in the office grapevine may initially ingratiate you to your co-workers, there truly is no quicker way to get burned. In the politics of life at work, what goes around inevitably comes around.

However, don't be too friendly. You were hired to work, not chat, play fantasy football, or forward e-mails, and your boss can make your work life much more unpleasant if they find out that you're slacking. Not being overly friendly is also an good way to protect yourself from scheming or sticky-fingered co-workers. You need to set boundaries, and likewise respect the boundaries that your co-workers set for you. This is an integral step for keeping yourself sane in your life at work, and lets others know that you are not a good person to "borrow" supplies from, or an easy mark for backstabbing.

Finally, in order to keep your life at work from ruining your life outside work when you're in a job you hate, find ways to make the most of your non-work time. If you come home and crash on the couch every day after work, the highlight of the non-work portion of your day becomes a TV show or a bag of chips, which is not only physically and psychologically unhealthy, but can make you feel even more miserable when you are actually at work. By giving yourself something to look forward to -- say, a post-work bike ride or home facial -- you can actually make your work time go by more quickly.

Spending most of your waking hours in a job you hate can be a nightmare, but is sometimes unavoidable. Whether it's gossipy co-workers, unpleasant bosses, or simply a boring job, a bad work life can quickly put a damper on the rest of your time. However, by following a few simple steps, you can keep your work life from making you miserable.

Feeling down at work and thinking you need a new career? It is possible! There are opportunities for every person, even if they don't have much time or money for college. By Jade Knight