I hate my boss
Does that above statement sound familiar? how many times did you hear yourself or others say: I hate my boss? Do you know any successful person who announce that they hate their boss? Probably none because this statement usually comes along with underperformance. Recently, a job seeker announced that after changing 3 jobs in the past 5 years she still hates her boss. She has been jumping between jobs sidewise. Basically, she is moving between jobs with the same or even lower job titles.
Typically, younger workers tend to change jobs frequently in pursuit of rapid career growth and financial rewards. Employers have different perception of moving jobs. Some would think it is ambitious and go-getting. While others might get the wrong signals entirely.
I hate my boss, therefore I keep changing jobs
Many job seekers who register on our job board reveal, subtly, that they hate their job. This keeps them on the quest to find a boss whom they do not hate. They simply think that the grass is greener on the other side.
The consequence of hating your boss
Our interaction with recruiters in Oman and across the GCC has shown that job hopping is BAD! In fact, employers around the world are not fond of job hoppers. The obvious reason is the difficulty and cost associated with hiring and developing employees. Besides, the instability companies face with high employee turnover. So, before declaring your intention to leave because of your feelings towards your boss, evaluate the consequences.
If you look at the profile of top executives in the region you will detect a pattern of longevity. Which means, your chances of assuming a top position are highly influenced by the number of years you spend in each job. Even for less senior positions, recruiters start the shortlisting process by dividing the total years of experience. The longer the better.
Why change?
We often ignore requests by those who are yet to complete three or four years with their current employers to help them find another job. Most of them are either driven by the natural tendency to change or by the desire to get more money. This is completely natural for younger persons. They tend to spend a lot of money establishing themselves. Another common reason for younger employees to change job I simply because the boss is an a#$%^le.
Whatever is your reason for wanting to change jobs you are actually reacting to another test life is throwing at you. Simply put, this is just another exam that you need to pass in order to assume a higher position and cultivate all the financial and nonfinancial perks associated with it. The only difference between this exam and the exams life has induced on you so far is that the results takes a while to appear. It could, literally, take up to a decade or more. You will be tested by being exposed to all factors that cause you to change jobs frequently. Every time you change your job you will find someone or something to blame. That what appears to you on the surface. However, what appears to the outside world is that you are failing the exam!
Some tips on how to deal with the boss you hate
1. Seek to understand your boss
The boss you hate could be the nicest and sweetest person in the world. It could simply be that you failed to explore the positive side of your side. Forgot any prejudice you might have about bosses having all the bad traits in the world. Speak to the boss and seek to understand what he or she expects from you. Affirm the boss that you value any insight or guidance you receive.
2. Be willing to change if you have to
Do not overestimate your ability to change others and do not underestimate your ability to change yourself. Definitely, it is hard to change others. Therefore, it is wiser to change yourself and observe the results. Stop believing that nothing is wrong with you and the whole world should change to satisfy your ambitions. Once you hold a grip of this fact your life will drastically improve.
3. Change your attitude towards work
If your relationship with your job is only about receiving your salary, you will receive what you deserve. You will not receive anything more than that. Remember the say: Two men looked out through prison bar, one saw the mud the other saw the stars. Therefore, in order to start seeing the stars you should start seeing change in your attitude.
4. Upgrade your skills
Your boss could really hate you and want you out at once. However, the reason could be because of your lack of talents and abilities. Even more, the boss could be too nice or considerate to fire you because of that. So, the best way is to find out what the boss expects from you through open communication. Then, start tackling those weaknesses of yours and start upgrading your skills.
5. Have a long-term plan
If you do not have a plan you become part of somebody else’s plan. So, start with writing your long-term career objectives. Answer that stupid question interviewers tend to ask every candidate: “where do you see yourself in five years?”. Once your plan is ready you would care less about anything outside. You will focus on achieving what you have already planned for yourself.
Could change be bad?
One could argue that changing job frequently could not be that bad and is perceived favorably in other parts of the universe. Well, the truth is that it is OK to change jobs frequently during the first five years of your career. However, beyond that initial period changing jobs could be interpreted negatively. The key reason is that during the time to build field expertise and authority you are whining about your job and chasing job ads. Another justification could be that life is never easy and fair and you just have to deal with it. Escaping regular job challenges by moving to another job is just a sign of weakness and inability to face life.