Are You Happy With Your Job?

[richardxjr]

daveco said:

richardxjr said:

daveco said:

maxrider said:

What do you do?

I'm in print management, sales and production. The industry is dying a slow death and clients are unwilling to spend any money on print any more. The deadlines can also be absolutely ridiculous and companies are very slow at paying.

To summarise I spend the vast bulk of my day chasing work, then chasing approval, and then chasing payment.

I am you 15 years on. Take my advice and get out now. Ask if there is a possibility of voluntary redundancy. If not, get out anyway.

Are you still in the trade?

Yes. Just. If I could get out I would. For you with no debts or commitments it's a no brainer.

Travel, chill, rest, work out what you would really like to do, and then do it

[ShadownINja]

daveco said:

ShadownINja said:

daveco said:

Nearly 27 and am wondering what's the point of doing a job I dislike? It's either extremely busy or deathly quiet and after nearly 7 years I'm wondering is the stress worth it as my health tends to suffer when it gets very hectic.

No debts, no responsibilities so I could just leave but I don't know what else interests me. I'm stuck in a rut.

I guess the question is: is the money good considering your age, experience and skill-set? If not, and you reckon you can get better pay for a job you'd enjoy just as much, then get out.

The money is okay but it's starting to matter less and less; the other problem is I don't know what else I'm good at or would enjoy. I'm not the most academic of sorts so I need to find something I know I can stick at if I did go to college or a profession I am willing to start again at the bottom with.

Edited by daveco on Wednesday 22 September 11:05

If the money isn't great, you don't like your job and you're willing to start again, then get training in something then you've got a good reason to get out. As to what, that is of course down to you and your capabilities (by that I mean if you're not academic then a hands-on job might be better suited and get you a job you love... car mechanic?).

[daveco]

ShadownINja said:

daveco said:

ShadownINja said:

daveco said:

Nearly 27 and am wondering what's the point of doing a job I dislike? It's either extremely busy or deathly quiet and after nearly 7 years I'm wondering is the stress worth it as my health tends to suffer when it gets very hectic.

No debts, no responsibilities so I could just leave but I don't know what else interests me. I'm stuck in a rut.

I guess the question is: is the money good considering your age, experience and skill-set? If not, and you reckon you can get better pay for a job you'd enjoy just as much, then get out.

The money is okay but it's starting to matter less and less; the other problem is I don't know what else I'm good at or would enjoy. I'm not the most academic of sorts so I need to find something I know I can stick at if I did go to college or a profession I am willing to start again at the bottom with.

Edited by daveco on Wednesday 22 September 11:05

If the money isn't great, you don't like your job and you're willing to start again, then get training in something then you've got a good reason to get out. As to what, that is of course down to you and your capabilities (by that I mean if you're not academic then a hands-on job might be better suited and get you a job you love... car mechanic?).

I definitely need to find something else. I worked in a garage as a youngster so that's probably a path I wouldn't tread but I take your point. I even went to a guidance counsellor and they told me this and advertising/marketing were my preferred fields!
Architecture and writing have always interested me so I might explore this route.

richardxjr said:

If I could get out I would. For you with no debts or commitments it's a no brainer.

Travel, chill, rest, work out what you would really like to do, and then do it

Coming from someone in the same trade that's sound advice. I need to get out there and find something else.

Doffage of cap to both of you

[shirt]

my old job, no - not at all. i left in december with a tidy payout.

this one, well i'm doing the same thing but for another company at +50% pay. much smaller firm so faster turnover of work, more responsiblity, being pushed out of my comfort zone and as a contractor i'm supposed to have all the answers.

still not amazing, but useful in the short term and can't fault the pay.

[ShadownINja]

daveco said:

I definitely need to find something else. I worked in a garage as a youngster so that's probably a path I wouldn't tread but I take your point. I even went to a guidance counsellor and they told me this and advertising/marketing were my preferred fields!
Architecture and writing have always interested me so I might explore this route.

Architecture would require a level of study (degree plus professional?). The rest, well, you could in theory bullst your way into.

[TimmyWimmyWoo]

I love mine. Great company, really experienced colleagues, an easygoing atmosphere, iMacs, the chance to get out and talk to people who have done something amazing with their lives and I'm not a suit. Money could be (much) better, but sometimes it doesn't feel like a job. I'm also doing what I love and have always wanted to do, and it's giving me skills that will always be in demand. Yep, happy!

[Davi]

daveco said:

Coming from someone in the same trade that's sound advice. I need to get out there and find something else.

Doffage of cap to both of you

I left design and print trade at the top, in search of more money.

Worst mistake I've ever made. For a while during the high period, there was definitely more money, but absolutely zero job satisfaction. Now in the recession, there is zero money and zero job satisfaction.

[simonej]

You need an option for 'Yes, but the money's st.'

I've just spent the last 10 days being paid to sit on beaches in the south of France and the Adriatic (in exchange for about 8 hours of work), so yes I love my job! On the other hand the pay is only average so it's swings and roundabouts for me.

I think I'd rather be happy, unstressed and loving life rather than earning megabucks but dreading going to work like some of my friends!

[alfettagtv2000]

Can't say I've ever had a job I enjoyed, tell you the truth if I was ever in a position of being able not to work, I wouldn't.

[Alfa numeric]

I spent two years working for a bank in a role that I didn't really enjoy and took redundancy when it was offered last year. With no debt to worry about I took my time finding something else and started a new job in February that I really enjoy. It's a non-profit making organisation so the pay is never going to be as stratospheric as my previous job could have been, but I get home before 6, never take work home and feel like I'm making a difference rather than having a nagging feeling that I'm helping to screw SME's like I used to.

In my view money isn't everything, job satisfaction counts for a lot too.

ETA: 66% unhappy?

Edited by Alfa numeric on Wednesday 22 September 13:02

[Original Poster]

I thought it would be higher then 66% to be honest, more towards 75-80%.

[daveco]

Alfa numeric said:

I spent two years working for a bank in a role that I didn't really enjoy and took redundancy when it was offered last year. With no debt to worry about I took my time finding something else and started a new job in February that I really enjoy. It's a non-profit making organisation so the pay is never going to be as stratospheric as my previous job could have been, but I get home before 6, never take work home and feel like I'm making a difference rather than having a nagging feeling that I'm helping to screw SME's like I used to.

In my view money isn't everything, job satisfaction counts for a lot too.

ETA: 66% unhappy?

Edited by Alfa numeric on Wednesday 22 September 13:02

What kind of non profit work is it?

I'd have to agree with Original Poster; I thought there would be more people unhappy with their jobs.

[Alfa numeric]

I work for a Housing Association that provides housing for vulnerable and elderly people- I make sure the business is stable long term. It's a lot more rewarding than my previous job, which involved working how to extract more credit card fees from small businesses.

[shirt]

Alfa numeric said:

I work for a Housing Association that provides housing for vulnerable and elderly people- I make sure the business is stable long term. It's a lot more rewarding than my previous job, which involved working how to extract more credit card fees from small businesses.

this is just it though, i would be asking the old dears for euthanasia tips if that was my job.

Now, the world don't move to the beat of just one drum,
What might be right for you, may not be right for some.
A man is born, he's a man of means.
Then along come two, they got nothing but their jeans.

But they got, Different Strokes.

[Marty Funkhouser]

I wasnt, which is why I left at the end of July. Now training to be a barrister.

[jonnydrama]

Yep, love my job, love the money. As a contractor though I know that could easily change.

[matt12023]

Life's far to short, can you see yourself doing same job when your 45? I couldn't. hence why i'm filling in my ucas form becuase applying to go back to uni and study medicine, i'm 26

[Pulse]

//dean said:

No. Which is why I handed in my notice and I leave this Friday to start a new career doing something that I love (if I can make it wqork). You only live once, enjoy it.

Wayhey! You know I will spread the good word about your work!

[pstruck]

Very much not happy with mine at the mo. Trouble is after nearly 20 years in this line of work I don't know what else to look at. I need to do something though for my sanity. Not a good time to be looking though I guess!

[Chilli]

I really didn't like my old job, so left.
Then I found a job I quite liked, but loved the people I worked with. But after 7 years, I got a chance of taking voluntary redudancy, so took it...lovely. Got a new job in Dubai (en route to a new life in NZ) and to say I detest it, is an understatement. However, they seem to pay quite well, which is the ONLY reason I get up in the morning. However, soon I'll be leaving and buying a farm in NZ....can't wait.