There are times in a professional’s life when they are truly miserable at their job. While on occasion these feelings of disdain, misery and frustration wax and wane, there are situations where these negative emotions linger. In cases like these, it is best to develop a plan to work toward achieving greater happiness.
What Should I Do When Going to Work Makes Me Miserable?
When you dread going to work every day, finding new employment opportunities is usually the way to solve this problem. However, what happens when a new opportunity pays less than your current, misery-inducing job. How do you weigh the pros and cons? Should you limit your earnings in the near term in the hope of long-term happiness?
Weighing Your Happiness vs. Your Wallet
The balance of happiness versus financial security is a very complicated equation. When trying to decide whether to take a new job that pays less than your current position, there are several questions you should ask yourself.
Question 1: What makes you happy?
This may seem like a silly question, but it is vital to consider when evaluating workplace happiness. You need to know what makes you happy. Does interacting with people make you happier or do you prefer to work independently? Do you excel in a hyper-organized environment under stress (do you like the adrenaline high) or do you do better in a calmer, less-structured workplace?
Question 2: How will this new job make you happier? Could you tweak your current job to meet your “happiness requirements and goals”?
Once you know what makes you happy, you can apply these requirements and goals to the expectations of your new job. However, it is also a good idea to review your happiness ideals against your current (higher-paying) job. Can you achieve these same requirements and goals with some changes to your current position? Would a lateral move in your current organization provide you with the same benefits without negatively impacting your bottom line?
Question 3: Can I cover my bills now (and in the future) if I take a job where I make less?
While happiness is important, if the proposed salary of a new job makes it impossible to live and eat, it is not feasible. Thus, it is best to look at your budget and see if a lower wage would cover your most essential items (housing, food, and insurance). Once you know you can cover the essentials, look at what you would have left over for discretionary spending and savings. It will be these items you may have to edit out of your life for a while if you take a lower-paying job. Are you ready to sacrifice your daily latte or your weekly date night? Also, consider if making these sacrifices will make you resent your new position over time.
Question #4: Are there opportunities to advance or take this experience and earn more money in the future?
Taking a lower-paying job doesn’t mean you will always be paid less than you were before you took the job. However, you should look down the road and consider if advancement opportunities (with a higher salary) will be available. Is there a possibility the experience provided by the new role can be leveraged to gain a better role with a higher salary in the future? If the lower-paying job does not provide you with these opportunities, it is probably better to stay in your current, higher-paying role.
Planning for the Future
While happiness is important when considering employment, financial concerns matter, too. This is especially true if you are deciding whether to accept a job that pays less than your current position. Thus, if faced with such a dilemma, there are several questions you can ask yourself in order to make an informed decision that ultimately you won’t regret down the road.
Are you unhappy with your current job? Do you desire a change? If so, contact the recruiting experts at New Era HR Solutions. At New Era HR Solutions, we help candidates find jobs that will make them happier and more fulfilled, leading to guaranteed future success. Contact our top staffing specialists today to learn more!
