Looking for Hasty Exit from Call-Center Job

The sad truth is that there are too many people facing the same Sunday night dread as you do, and it just should not be the case. We should all be empowered to have the resources and determination to find a job and career that we love — or at least one that we do not dislike so much that we get physically sick thinking about another week stuck in a dead-end job.

In an ideal world, I would recommend — for the sake of your sanity and your health — to quit immediately. Unfortunately, most of us have bills and obligations, so quitting without another job in hand is most likely not an option.

Okay, so what can you do? Spend every waking moment outside of work — and even on work breaks — planning a new job search and executing that search. You’re only stuck in that job for as long as you allow yourself to be stuck in it.

First step: determine your next career move. Because time is of the essence, your next job may still be a step or two away from your ideal job; you may need more education, training, or experience to get the job you really want, but don’t wait for all of that to happen before finding what I like to refer to as a “stepping-stone” job.

Second step: take a hard look at your resume and consider revamping it (or having a professional revamp it for you). It sounds as though you’ve had a number of jobs already, so now might be the time to experiment with a chrono-functional resume, where you focus on clusters of skills rather than on your job history. Don’t toss your chronological resume, though, as you’ll want to use it if the chrono-functional isn’t working for you (many employers don’t like them).

Third step: make a plan and then implement it. Work hard — accomplish something everyday — to find your next job. Focus on the positives and picture yourself in your next job — and it will happen sooner than you think.

Be sure to use the Job Search Checklist published on Quintessential Careers.