Does everyone hate their job this much?

xxthoroughbred

I can't take it anymore! I graduated a little over a year ago and was the textbook overachiever in college. Dean's list, tons of awards, straight As, ran the college newspaper, editor for the lit mag and yearbook, 5 internships/jobs during the 4 years, and always always always working and doing homework. I think I partied twice while in college! I was lucky enough to get a position 3 months after graduation but I HATE it. I'm completely underemployed and although I was told I'd have the opportunity to move up, have been denied despite asking on several occasions. Managers mark me as an essential part of the team and a wonderful employee for every performance review, though. I am SO bored. I've started coming in "late" (although not technically late -- still the first one here and I work 9-10 hours a day) and working from home (something we're allowed on occasion).

I've started to have a physical reaction to work. I frequently cry myself to sleep, am a ball of anxiety anytime I'm home because I know I have to go back, and often hide in the office bathroom crying. I have mini panic attacks while at work (sweating, shaking, skin crawling, etc.) and am generally miserable all the time. Like I said, I'm BORED. It's not a hard job but it's so mindless (basically a secretary position) and I can't take it anymore! I'm an ambitious young woman. I know so many who would be happy and grateful to have my job so I'm not trying to sound like the "entitled youth" of today, but I've busted my butt and have gotten nowhere!! It doesn't even pay well and I'm struggling beneath my student loans.

Since I graduated, I have applied to 700 (yes, SEVEN HUNDRED) positions. I had three interviews -- one for the job I have now and two for the railroad, which was sexist the first time and hired the VPs daughter the second time. I've applied to everything, from Wendy's to management positions. You either need 5 years of experience or can do an unpaid internship while still in college. Insane! I've called places back, sent thank you letters from interviews, changed my cover letters to suit the job I'm applying for and nothing has worked out. The career services folks at my college called me the perfect candidate and said I was doing everything right, even sending out my cover letters to the entire senior class to show how it should be done.

Is this how all people are? Miserable and having panic attacks all the time and not caring about anything else because they are so focused on getting out of their job and into a new one? Everyone tells me this is just how it is. I don't mean to sound like a spoiled brat but I literally feel like I'm going to die in five years because of this position!! Please tell me this isn't how the rest of my life will be!

drmerc

You should learn to deal with your stress better
Try lifting heavy weights

xxthoroughbred

You should learn to deal with your stress better
Try lifting heavy weights

Yeahhh, I do that.

hellohappylisa

I'm 23, most of my friends graduated last year or this year. Most of them are IT guys and had no problem getting jobs. The rest of them...working at gas stations and grocery stores. This is the economy we're living in, better get used to it!

opus649

So you've had this job for 9 months?

xxthoroughbred

So you've had this job for 9 months?

No, over a year.

Illona88

A. learn to deal with stress better. I would recommend looking into mindfulness and/or doing yoga.

B. Find a relaxing hobby, that can get your mind off work and fuel you for your work days.

C. If you really hate your job too much, try to start your own business. This can be done while still working. It will take up a lot of your time, but I think you will find that being able to do what YOU want compensates for the stress of your "day-job".

scottbrown78

Ive been where you are and am on my way there again if feels (my job is an amazing job people wait years to get on here but it is soooooo boring). Are you very good at what you do? I have had that problem and been "to valuable to lose" well guess what I don't work for that boss anymore. You need to figure out a way to cope, this is not the end of the world but, panic attacks and breaking down in the bathroom? Wow that sounds much deeper pain than a boring job.

xxthoroughbred

A. learn to deal with stress better. I would recommend looking into mindfulness and/or doing yoga.

B. Find a relaxing hobby, that can get your mind off work and fuel you for your work days.

C. If you really hate your job too much, try to start your own business. This can be done while still working. It will take up a lot of your time, but I think you will find that being able to do what YOU want compensates for the stress of your "day-job".

A. I do yoga but I guess it's not helping?
B. What relaxing hobbies are there that are cheap? I work out. My passion is riding horses but it's way too expensive to keep up.

seaybl24

Fortunately no - what was your degree in?

RainbootsToBikinis

Welcome to adulthood my dear my first real full time job was great with the exception of my boss who was a lazy POS, and made the work day very difficult. Still stayed there for over a year, tough economy and a girls gotta pay rent.

Why are you working 9-10 hours a day? If you're bored and it's easy it seems like you wouldn't be working such long days. Do what you can to keep the work day to 8 hours, get plenty of sleep, take a vitamin D supplement (makes a big difference for people who spend all day indoors).

Serenstar75

It's the economy mostly. I work in a call center. I do not like working in call centers, though I'm good at it. My last job I felt that kind of anxiety and depression about. Exercise took out the stress. I get paid decently though, and I'd love to have something different. If it's just that it's boring, you may have to find a challenge doing something else in the meantime or look in a different field if it's more the monetary issue.

OspreyVista

I agree that you should try dealing with your stress better. A possibility is to go see someone to get help and talk about how your feeling. This sounds over the top from what I've heard and been through. I've gotten pretty pissed off at jobs, but not to where I'm crying or having any panic attacks. Despite what you've been told, no it's not normal. At least in my opinion it's not. I've never seen anyone act like that or seem like they would act like that despite how much they've hated their jobs. I've hated almost all of mine with a passion. I agree with HelloHappylis, we're in a rough economy, your going to have to deal with the job you have. Try looking on the bright side, you have a job. If you don't like it, try applying elsewhere while working there, and find the happy moments in life. It's not worth letting your whole life get ruined just because you hate your job. Most people hate their jobs.

andreanicole686

Wow, you guys aren't being very supportive. I would say try to look in other states if you can move or other types of jobs. NO, people usually are not that unhappy with their job. Find a new one. Even lifting weights doesn't help that kind of stress.

Illona88

I personally will be graduating in a couple of weeks (yay!).
I have already tried to get a job and have been to loads of interviews, but I have found out that in this economy I will either not find work or end up in a miserable job that will make me miserable too.
I have now decided to find work as an au pair instead, while I try to set up my own business.

Rubie81

My job is boring, and I am under paid, but I don't hate it. I bring a great vibe to the office. And I guess the reason is, I am grateful. I am so grateful to have this job. I was laid off from my previous employer and collecting unemployment for the long haul. During that time my husband left the kids and I. NO companies would hire me, ZERO interviews. A single mom living in NYC with two kids and no job is SCARY. Finally, I think like two weeks before my unemployment benefits were due to expired, I landed this Translator position. It was a true blessing, even getting paid $10,000 less a year.

opus649

So you've had this job for 9 months?

No, over a year.

So less than two. Two years doing a "boring" job has you crying in the bathroom? :indifferent:

xxthoroughbred

Why are you working 9-10 hours a day? If you're bored and it's easy it seems like you wouldn't be working such long days. Do what you can to keep the work day to 8 hours, get plenty of sleep, take a vitamin D supplement (makes a big difference for people who spend all day indoors).

I'm allowed 5 hours of overtime a week. I'm struggling as is so I try to make as much as I can.

I'm also living with my parents and wouldn't be able to afford a place of my own with even 4 roommates.

cobracars

Perhaps you are already in the job you are destined to have. Or just keep collecting your paycheck while you can and continue searching for work you would really find mentally and financially rewarding.

nadz6012

I graduated in 2009 and I worked at CVS for a whole year before I was able to find a job, and that's even with a science degree. If you're an English major (just guessing here) it's going to be really hard, even if you're certified to be a teacher. Maybe it's time to look into a different career path?

bluegirl10

Honestly, the economy is bad and times are tough.. You should be glad to have a job. I don't care for my job, but it helps to pay the bills.. Sometimes you need to just put in your time and eventually you will get to where you want to be. Or you can try looking for jobs in another state and/or field of work... Hang in there! Life isn't always going to be easy, so you need to just find ways to manage your stress and get through the tough times... Good Luck!

xxthoroughbred

Perhaps you are already in the job you are destined to have. Or just keep collecting your paycheck while you can and continue searching for work you would really find mentally and financially rewarding.

In the meantime, do you have a husband or boyfriend? Making him a sammich might help relieve your stress.

I do have a boyfriend of 3 years. He's ready to propose but we can't afford any life together and he's living 12 hours away right now for his job. So...no sammich for him?

cobracars

My job is boring, and I am under paid, but I don't hate it. I bring a great vibe to the office. ...

That's a super idea! Is it one of those kind that uses D-cell batteries or do you plug it into the wall?

porcelain_doll

A lot of it is the economy. There are tons of people in positions beneath them at the moment because there are more people than jobs at the moment. I do not like my job either, as it is also boring and just plain weird here, but I am thankful to have a paycheck that allows my independence.

The way you will get through this is to focus on what you do have. You have a paycheck, you have your own money, car, etc., and this will serve as padding on your résumé even though it's not the greatest position. I went through the same things: anxiety, crying, even therapy and meds.... and I am still at this job 7 years later - and I'm alive, lol. I wanted to leave after week 3. But here I am. So I deal with it the best I can and believe that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Going through this will strengthen you even though you feel like crap right now. You have to have hope. Remember, it is not your circumstances that will wreck you, but how you decide to deal with them. Find your strength, girl, and remember that things can always, always be worse.. :flowerforyou:

GuybrushThreepw00d

700 positions??
What sorts of jobs are they?
I think you need to focus on a specific job, not send out so many cv's and use some of the follow up techniques they write about on life hacker.

Perhaps move area?

Threaten to quit?

Quit, and move area.

Sounds like you need to change something, and sharpish

Ge0rgiana

No. I don't think this is normal. I love my job. It's absolutely awesome. Try to find something else if possible.

devil_in_a_blue_dress

Honestly, it sounds like you're used to being a special little snow flake for being the best at everything and what bothers you that you're not getting that recognition anymore.

Part of having a job and moving up within a company is paying your dues and showing some character in the process. That means sometimes you have to put up with the less desirable duties and not whine about it. You haven't been at this job long -- if you don't like it -- keep looking but don't complain because there are at least 700 people who WANT your job and wouldn't whine about not getting promotions within their first year.

Also, yes: LOTS OF PEOPLE HATE THEIR JOBS.

manderson27

Work to live, don't live to work. Stop making this job the centre of your existence. Do your alloted hours and no more. See it as just a place you go to earn some money to pay the bills until you find a more fulfilling job.

Keep looking, it will come along but you need to chill out about it you have only been working for 9 months you still have plenty of time to find a better position, trust me you will not die just because you don't enjoy your job.

Sorry to say it but you do sound like you expect instant recognition and promotion. Chill out kick back a bit and let life lead you for a while. Most of us have to work for several years before getting a promotion.

Be thankful you are employed, here in the UK jobs are like gold dust and competion is really fierce I have just landed a fairly decent job with great people and am enjoying it a lot. So NO not everyone hates their job as much as you seem to.

brett1117

Sorry I love my career!! 7 more years until retirement

tinad120

You shouldn't hate your job that much, or be that stressed about work. I am assuming it's hard to find a job because you got a degree with low job availability & high competition and/or you're not very good on paper or in interviews. Have you thought about going back to school and making a career change?

xxthoroughbred

So you've had this job for 9 months?

No, over a year.

So less than two. Two years doing a "boring" job has you crying in the bathroom? :indifferent:

I was crying in the bathroom within a month of being there.

My job is to fill out the same 3 forms as many times a day as needed.