Make the Most of your Current Job

You're probably very aware that job prospects aren't exactly looking up. With many graduates entering the market with little experience, and a recession on the horizon, I thought it might be an idea to try and give some guidance for those who are unhappy in their work, but stuck in a rut. I spent most of my career going from one temporary job to the next, before finally landing my current position.

Here are a few things I learned along the way that might help you make the most of your current job. If you want to read more about my work, please visit my website and learn more about gender neutral purse and gender neutral bags or follow my Instagram.

1. Don't be afraid to ask for more responsibility

If you're stuck in a dead-end job, one of the best ways to get ahead is to take on more work. This could be anything from filing, getting coffee and other menial tasks, to taking on more responsibility in one of your current roles. The point isn't to fill up your day so you don't have time to look for greener pastures elsewhere. It's about proving yourself capable of more than is immediately evident, and demonstrating your commitment to the company.

2. Get to know your co-workers

I cannot stress this enough. It's so important to have a good working relationship with the people you spend most of your day with. Not only will it make the day go more smoothly, but you never know when you might need their help. If you can't stand your co-workers, try to at least agree to disagree. That way you can work together productively without letting what might be a minor annoyance affect the rest of your day.

3. Be transparent about what you want

While I was temping, every time I got offered a temporary position with any level of responsibility or authority, I would always ask about the possibility of a permanent position. It's important to be upfront about your long-term goals, and to make it clear that you're not just looking for a stop-gap. If the company has no plans to hire anyone full-time in the near future, they might not be the best place for you to be.

4. Take advantage of training opportunities

If your company offers training courses, or even if they don't, try to find free online courses that will help you develop new skills. Not only will this make you more valuable to your current employer, but it will also make you a more attractive candidate for future roles.

5. Remember to take care of yourself

It's very easy for work to become all-consuming, and it can be tempting to use your lunch break for an extra half hour at your desk while you finish up a project that you've been meaning to get around to. For the sake of your sanity, try not to fall into this trap. If you can't get away from work completely, try to at least take a break for some fresh air or a quick walk. You'll thank yourself for it later.

While none of these tips will turn an unhappy job into your dream career, they might help make it more bearable until you can find something better. And who knows, if you have a good relationship with your manager, you might just get offered that promotion before you know it. Very few people are fortunate enough to immediately find work in the field that they studied or even the areas where their interests and skills lie. Yet, every single job I have ever done has taught me something that remains useful to my career.

The most important lesson that we learn from doing these jobs is that we are more resilient than we think and that we can learn just about anything if we put our minds to it.