11 Dec 09 Manage Being Underemployed

Practically everyone with a job in these tumultuous economic times realizes that they are lucky.  Finding a job is incredibly difficult, so already having one you’re well ahead of the curve.  The problem then comes when you find yourself underemployed.  When you feel you could be making more money, or should have better opportunities, but they just haven’t arisen.  How do you deal with being underemployed?

Well, realize that most people who feel underemployed are generally dissatisfied with their jobs.  Usually this stems from either a salary that is below your standards, the lack of opportunities to express your skills, or just not enough work for you to complete.  In any situation you can find yourself feeling unhappy at the workplace.  Which is exactly why you should take this opportunity to resolve that situation.

Try making yourself more of an asset to the company.  If you find yourself not getting enough work, try asking for more.  If you’re not happy with your salary, make yourself stand out so that the company has no choice but to recognize you for your accomplishments.  Try asking your boss for more assignments, or ways that you can help out by taking on workload from other sources.  Gives you something to do, and helps you become more of an asset.

If you’re unhappy with the position in general, you can use the extra time to network.  Hit the break room, or the cafeteria and make friends with the people around you from other departments, or other companies.  Find out what opportunities are around you that you didn’t know about.  You could end up finding the job of your dreams, you just have to put in the effort to search.  If the company you’re at now isn’t meeting your standards, networking can help you find a new opportunity that will.  Anything is better than staying underemployed and unhappy.

Tags: Boss, Break Room, Cafeteria, Curve, Dreams, Economic Times, Extra Time, Finding A Job, Jobs, Money, Networking, People, Salary, Stems, Workload