What can I do?

Question

I am stuck in a job that I hate. When I went for the interview it sounded good but over the last few months I am doing work that is nothing like detailed on my job description. I have applied for so many jobs over the last few months and no-body is responding to me! I have also registered with some job agencies who are no help at all. I am at my wits end - can you suggest anything, I don't know what else to do. I am looking for administration work and I am qualified for this type of work. I never thought it would prove so difficult to find a job in this area.

Answer 1

I think you should try to resolve this with your employer if you can. Seek an interview with your line manager or Human Resources person if you have one and explain how you feel. Without seeming high handed, try to adopt the air that you expected to be able to make a fuller contribution to the firm's output (or whatever) and that they aren't really getting the best out of you although you are doing as much as you can within what you are allowed. Your personal development should be of concern to them and any firm with a decent structure should have a strategy to achieve this for all their staff.
After giving that a go and assuming you haven't "failed to perform" in any way, then continued job seeking is the only way, either within the firm you are with or elsewhere. Look for a job in an area that inspires you. In a competive jobs market, enthusiasm ie "loving the product" is a must and that is what will keep you going when the inevitable lows come along. There are books that can help you put your CV together if that's the problem with your lack of success with applications. If you are under 25 you can still ask for help from the Careers Advice dept at the Council or Education Office - find out which. Do continue to believe in yourself, be nice to your boss and colleagues and always to give of your best in your job, even if it kills you.
I speak from long experience of working for the BBC. You could try looking at their website to see what jobs are available there. They have a lot of admin staff and plenty of related jobs too with opportunity for career progress,
Good luck!

Answer 2

If you are not doing the job that is detailed in your job description and they have not renegotiated the terms of your job then you need to make a list of all the things you think you should be doing and the things you think you shouldn't be doing and bring this up in your next appraisal with your line manager. I suppose you are not in a union? If there is a recognised union in your workplace perhaps you should join and ask for their support - its actually a breach of contract for an employer to change your job without agreeing the JD with you. The employment market is tough at the moment so you might be better trying to renegotiate your job with your current employer. Focus on your personal development and the qualities and skills you can bring to the team if they let you do the job you're supposed to be doing. Good luck and try hang in there.

Answer 3

Consider all (or some) of the following:

1) Go back to school; improve your educational qualifications.
2) Network through professional associations in your area; get out there, meet people and be visible.
3) Talk to your current employer and diplomatically express your concerns that the job hasn't turned out to be what you thought coming in and can you alter it more toward the direction of what was represented to you initially. If you can't have this conversation with your boss, then irrespective of the specific job requirements, you are probably working for the wrong PERSON irrespective of the specifics of the position.

Answer 4

Are you city-based? If so, have a chat with a temp agency that does 'admin' roles. Ask them where they send their temps for bookings and what the work is like. If it sounds good, give it a try -- you get a decent hourly rate +OT, benefits, paid hols, and best of all once you prove yourself you get placements in big companies you may not be able to get into otherwise. If you don't like your booking, it'll end soon. If you love your booking and your manager loves you back, there's a chance you'll get asked back again or the role will become permanent.

Answer 5

I would also advise requesting a supervision that is minuted and using this to discuss your job description, a good employer will take your concerns seriously and look at ways to resolve them.

If that does not work then raise a grievance.

Answer 6

if you are doing a job that does not meet your job description then you need to meet with the company's boss and sit down with the job description and tell him that what you are doing does not coincide with what you thought you were being employed to do.... whether you are over exceeding what you should be doing originally or if you are not meeting the expectations of the job description should be resolved quickly.

Answer 7

ummm make a career move do something totally different, maybe do some college courses. How about the police force they pay very well and heard it's a good job.

Answer 8

Do 2 jobs i understand somebody who's a clark and from 7-11 at nighttime she works as my servant this is staggering yet she succeeded and now isnt my servant she paid her mothers operation servant interest could look staggering yet you get money she did staggering jobs like removing my heels putting on footwear for me to workout serving me juice removing my grimy footwear socks massaging my grimy ft till i quiet down then she could practice the table on an identical time as i bathe she then serves me then sparkling her the table and cleans the dishes then i relax on settee ft up watch television she then bends down and rub down my ft till at last 11 she earned nicely

Answer 9

Get out there and sell yourself don't apply knock on their door.

Answer 10

GET OUT, GET OUT NOW,