Changing Jobs Outside Your Comfort Zone

(c) Can Stock Photo / kmitu

             
                      
Changing jobs outside your comfort zone. Has this happened to you? Or, are you contemplating crossing over into another career choice or type of work you have never done before? Of course, if you have had formal schooling in a new career choice and you are waiting for the right job to come along then this article is not for you. Today, I am addressing those who might have a little experience in the new job but basically will need to learn a great deal more to keep the job.  So where to begin...

First, you can do it. Learning a new job skill on the job is extremely challenging.  You got it though! Let's look at some tips to keep you happy and sane:

• You have already demonstrated some job skills and no doubt a great attitude to get this job.  The employer sees in you the potential to take on this new job skill. They have already put faith in you by hiring you. Now, you just have to believe in yourself.
• Assess your strengths and weaker areas.  Work on them both. No need to talk about this. You know what they are. Excel in what you are strong in.
• Take clear and understandable notes that you can follow. Some people make a notebook with tabs to follow the details. This is crucial to a new job.
• At home, go online and see what learning tools are available free at this time that can add knowledge to your job. Yes, "You Tube" is a great place to start.
• When in doubt, don't be afraid to ask your boss for their advice as to the proper procedure in something you have never done before. Humility here shows you are willing to learn. Nobody knows everything.
• As time goes on, you may be able to find a fee-based course either in a class you can take nearby or online at night perhaps on the weekends. Some employers may help with this fee or pay it all.

Whatever you do don't give up. There will be times that you will be overwhelmed. This is normal. However, as time goes on you will get more comfortable with the accumulated knowledge and skills you are building daily. Remember, a strong building is done in layers. This is the same with your new job.  One day at a time.  Have faith in yourself and hit this job with a fresh and happy spirit of "can do."

Any Work Is Better Than No Work--Not Always

If you are unemployed currently or have been unemployed, you no doubt have heard or even said to
yourself that "any work is better than no work." In other words--at least your working and paying some of the bills.  I have worked in all kinds of jobs throughout the years that were mentally and physically demanding.  However, not all jobs are equal in the toll they take on you.   In the past, there was one such job for me.  I would never want to do it again--call center work!  Call center work may be defined for our purposes as working in a center (or large room) that makes continuous calls through an automatic dialer to new or existing customers regarding an existing product or service.  Here are some of the pitfalls I found in call center work...

• You may find yourself working in a room of 50-60 people all talking at the same time to their customers.  The room can get very noisy with the inability to hear your customer. At times, your customer may not be able to hear you.
• Calls are put through to you by a random dialer of which you have no control over. You barely get a breather between calls.  As soon as you are disconnected from your customer, a fresh call comes through your earpiece immediately.  Little or no time to mentally prepare for the next call.
• You are expected to talk for eight hours, less your breaks and lunch.  Very little downtime is allowed away from the phones.  After two hours or less of straight talking you may begin to lose your voice.
• Since the job requires sitting most of the hours you are there, you get very little physical exercise.  Also, we won't talk about the eyestrain you also get from constantly looking at the computer screen.
• The dialing system used may repetitively call the customer at work or at home. Many customers do not like being called at work and may get irate; or do not like getting called so frequently.  Consequently, many times you will be the brunt of their frustration. Not fun...
• Depending on the company, many companies have a pay rate based on a tier system.  Low sales, despite your best efforts, will not mean much in your paycheck.
• Most call centers have intense monitoring by supervisors that critique the quality of your calls.
  New employees may already be nervous, this only adds to their nervousness. 
• A call center can be sales-driven or customer-service-driven.  Make sure your personality is a good fit for the particular center.  A wrong fit can be as disastrous as a heavy-duty construction worker wearing white dress gloves to do his job.  It just doesn't work.

I listed a few reasons why call center work is so difficult and for some people will go against their grain. Of course, different strokes for different folks would mean there are some people that actually enjoy call center work.  That's great for them.  In my estimation though it is just a tough job. 

So what should you do if you find yourself in such a job?  Move on.  It is always best to have another job though before quitting your present one. The conclusion is to remember not all work is equal.  Find out as much about the job before you take it.  Know your physical and mental likes and dislikes as well as your limits.  Yes, you just might want to pass this job up.

What is your "nightmare" job?  Most people have worked one some time in their career.  I would love to hear from you on this. 

It May Be Time to Scrap Your Job

Yes, in an economy where everyone is holding on to their job for dear life, why would anyone quit or scrap their job?  It would be nice to think that there isn't any job too hard for you to tackle.  That just isn't the case.  The real truth is that not everyone can physically, mentally, or emotionally handle any job.  So how do you know when it is time to let go of your current job and move on?  For those of you who have recently joined the ranks of the employed again, would you recognize that the new job just isn't right for you?

When is it time to look for another job?

• Physically Challenging - Obviously, each job has particular physical requirements specific to the job. However, whatever those requirements, no job is worth damaging your physical body.  Whether you suffer short-term or long-term damage, the price you pay is too high.  While some injuries are temporary--others may cause permanent damage along with chronic pain. Lifting heavy objects, standing in one spot for hours, repetitive motion without a break, and exposure to hazardous chemicals may be more than your body can adjust to.  If you have already taken ergonomically-corrective measures in your job and are still having problems, then you may want to seriously reconsider moving to a a job that has less of an impact on your body.  Always check with your personal physician if you are having physical problems that are either caused by or aggravated by your current job.  In some instances, the problems you are having could be covered under workers' compensation such as repetitive motion in your job.  Check with your doctor first before filing a claim.

• Mentally or Emotionally Challenging - If you are absolutely exhausted every day as a result of the mental or emotional strain of your job, then you should reconsider another line of work.  You may have a bad day once and a while dealing with customers or clients.  However, if you find yourself mindlessly staring at the television set night after night feeling drained, then you too may want to consider moving on to a job that is less demanding mentally and emotionally.  Are you suffering depression as a result of your current job?  Again, is it every day or just now and then?  Some jobs such as nursing, sales, working with ones that are mentally-challenged can be very taxing.  People that love these types of jobs just glide through them with ease day after day.  Others may struggle through each day. Every job is not a perfect fit for every person.

Yes, changing jobs in itself can be stressful.  The good part about this situation is that once you are employed, you become much more employable to other employers.  I know, that is a mouthful.  Never quit a job until you have another one, especially in this economy.  If you just went back to work, after being on the unemployed ranks for a while, it may be jolting to even consider changing your job.  However, just because you haven't worked for a while doesn't mean you should subject yourself to the strain and drain of a job that is not right for you.  With dignity and a little smarts you will be able to find work conducive to your physical, mental, and emotional makeup.  Knowing what you don't need or like in seeking a job is just as important as what you do like or need; in some cases it may be more important!