STAYING
MOTIVATED AT WORK WHILE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR ANOTHER
JOB
By
Carole Wiater
Personal and Career Coach
www.GoingPlacesInLife.com
Most people who look for a job already have a job. Yet,
most of what is on bookshelves today is written for
those who aren't working. There's one important question
that's not talked about by most career transition
experts and that is: "How do I stay motivated
in this lousy position that I've already decided
to leave, because I don't want to be fired before
I get a chance to quit?"
Here
are some helpful ideas. First of all, think of this
situation you are in as a positive. You're out there
looking, maybe you've even interviewed. It's just a
matter of time. What have you got to loose? Be bold.
Ask for a new project. Think of something that you
wanted to accomplish when you first came to work there,
or something that will make things better for the next
person. Start putting some gears into motion. Perhaps
you will be gone when your project comes together,
but at least you can leave knowing you accomplished
one more thing. Think of it as your legacy.
Being
bold doesn't mean being stupid. Avoid tipping off your
boss or coworkers that you are about to leave. You
don't want your employer to know you are looking, because
you don't want to make things more difficult than they
are. You don't want your coworkers to know either,
because no matter how close you have been in the past,
once they know, their allegiance may change. Do your
all your job search work at home, on break, or at lunch.
Never use company resources-computer, email, copier,
fax, phone, or anything else. Be smart. Keep your plans
to yourself.
When
yet another irritating situation comes up at work,
and it will, focus on the problem, not the person.
The typical job search takes three to six months, if
you are looking full time. That time span could double
if you are looking part time. Don't let a little problem
get you sidetracked. You want to leave under good conditions,
so you can get a glowing letter of reference when you
leave. By focusing on the problem, you can leave personalities
out of it and get the work done.
Even
if the circumstances get chaotic, remember that ex-coworkers
make great networking contacts for the next time you
want to change jobs. So, while you are still working
there, get coworker's home phone and home addresses.
Make up an excuse-I want to send you a Christmas card.
No matter how angry you are now, later you may need
their help, so keep your relationships positive.
If
a controversial situation comes up and you are feeling
scrappy, because you know you're history, be the bigger
person. It never hurts to lead by example. Be the one
who makes the compromise, or goes the extra mile. Now,
more than ever, you need to know that you didn't leave
things a mess. You actually made something better.
Resist
the temptation to sabotage anything. Yes, you know
where all the soft spots are and know how to make them
pay. However, no good can come from revenge. Besides,
the best revenge is to go on to a more exciting career.
Finally,
when the day comes to tell the boss the bad news, be
gracious and thankful. Remember, you want and need
that good reference. Many hiring companies now, not
only verify employment, but also talk to the supervisor.
Thank yours for enhancing your career, for the opportunity
to learn and grow, whether it happened that way or
not.
