I'm miserable at work. There's nothing positive I can say about my job, other than it pays the bills. That's also why I can't get up the courage to quit. I know I could find another job but starting over somewhere after 15 years seems even more daunting than staying here. I wish I knew how to get over it, because staying here is not good for me or my health.
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I change jobs every three-four years and every single time I've gotten a raise. Easiest thing is to not give notice until you find a new job. All but the sketchiest companies will be fine with you having to give sufficient notice for your current position.
I got out last year after 15 years. Found a great job paying $30k more a year, Healthcare is better and costs half as much. 401k 8% match and a defined benefit plan. And 100% wfh. A bad day at my new bank is 1000 times better than a good day at BAC
Thank you for posting this. I am in the same boat as OP, and really appreciate the fantastic feedback!
trust yourself, you are a professional and I am sure you have skills acquired during your years in the bank.. be positive and open to learn new skills, processes etc.
Sunk cost fallacy is real. Fear of change is real. Once your convictions overtake the friction of your fears, you'll take the steps forward.
- Update resume
- Apply to new jobs
- Interview
- Accept offer
- Evaluate if grass is greener
- Repeat if necessary
Have you started with a resume? That is first step. Have you sent any?
My first step has been preparing a resume and hitting the send button on something every day. It means one step closer.
Not sure what area you are in, but tech skills transfer, as do operational skills and sales skills. I've left the bank twice in the 25+ years that I've been here. Both times were for more attractive offers, and both times I came back after a few months and got the higher pay that I had left for. I found that personally adapting to "different politics" was harder than any change in the work itself...but that just would have needed some time. If the idea of starting over somewhere new concerns you, then move around in the bank. One of the very few benefits of working for a big company is that there is always some other department to try. You may not ultimately find it any better than where you are currently, but at least a change of tasks and teams provides for some break in the minutia that you find miserable.
OP, that's why you move around, every 2-3 years, complacency and boredom are a pain, not to mention stagnant skills, limited exposure and poor networking if you stay in one place. Also, you get paid more (or at least that's the reason behind any move). After 15 years, hopefully you have some transferable skills in demand in the outside world. So much is bank and job specific and does not translate well in the job market or outside the industry. Try to make the best of it, everybody is in the same boat....HMS Titanic 2.0 the sequel, or the great reset.
Certainly do get out as you say.
Very unhealthy for you and who is number 1, after all?
Without more context, that is it.