5 Signs That the Dream Job Is Becoming a Nightmare Job
Once you think you've finally found the perfect job to build your career, there are troubling omens of your dream job turning into a nightmare.
Even if the signs are clear, it's not uncommon to be unsure if you're just being paranoid yourself or if there are actual reasons to worry. After all, you are emotionally involved in your work.
Here are 5 clear signs that things have gotten worse.
Projects drag on forever
Most teams miss a deadline from time to time, but a short-term project that takes months to complete can quickly become a horror story.
"First it's the customer's fault, then it's the team's fault". "When projects drag on forever, it affects the way team members interact with each other. Soon, the whole atmosphere in the team becomes toxic and unproductive because everyone is pointing fingers at each other."
How can you put the brakes on this nightmare? You can look for a new job or join another team. But before heading for the exit, discuss the situation with the boss: "Sometimes while diagnosing a problem, the solution arises."
For example, when the boss realizes what's really going on, he may remove the "bad apples" from the team or push for deadlines that are more realistic.
A new manager doesn't stick with the team
No matter how much you love your job, getting a new boss can be stressful. If you feel like the new boss is more interested in office politics and puts career goals ahead of employee professional development, it looks bad for your idea of a dream job.
Either move to another supervisor or move back to job hunting. No one wants to work for someone who doesn't consider anything but their own interests.
Reshuffling rocks the company
When leadership roles resign, well-run companies avoid coming stumbles by promoting an internal employee or appointing an interim replacement. But if there is no strategy in place to deal with management reshuffling, and the company falters as a result, things can go downhill quickly.
Once the workflow is disrupted by not filling a position, the remaining employees become even more stressed and emotional distress can result.
Restructuring of positions at higher levels is a sign that a general change is coming. The changes can be for the better or for the worse, you are supposed to keep your antennae up in a situation like this. "Don't believe the news that everything will be okay," he said. "If you're going to leave, you should do it before everyone goes into panic mode."
Such nightmare situations can be avoided by working for a company that allows adequate time for contingency strategies, especially succession planning for management positions. This topic is likely to come up whenever you read up on the company; watch for articles in the news and analysis from financial experts.
The company no longer invests in employee development
If a company stops investing in its employees, it's a signal that something is changing.
It could be a change in corporate culture or finances - either way, it sets off a cascade of other events. As mentioned above, nearly half of IT professionals feel "unprepared" when they are new to a position, but at the same time, they feel they don't update their own skills often enough. For many tech pros, a lack of room for professional development is a deal breaker.
Don't wait; instead, talk honestly with your boss about why there's so little time for your development. Our advice is to take a different path, even before this personal stagnation impacts your future career.
The DevJob has a vision... but poor execution
You've finally taken the leap into the unknown and found a job at a startup because you were intrigued by the founder's vision to create a breakthrough product or service. But after a short time, it becomes clear that the founder himself does not know how to turn his dream into a commercial reality.
Failure to execute properly is so widespread that it doesn't just affect startups. For example, recent studies show that strategy execution fails 50 to 90 percent of the time.
Worse, a startup with such problems can turn hardworking, talented employees into miserable people looking for a way out.
To make a startup work, founders need to know how to break grandiose goals into smaller pieces, performance milestones and daily tasks. So don't be afraid to ask founders how they plan to execute their strategy before you accept a job offer.
BONUS: The boss is starting to take advantage of you
Franz was promised growth, great career advancement, and a good raise if he met goals when he took his first role in software. While he did grow technically and learned a lot from some smart people, things went downhill after his first year on the job.
He was assigned lousy projects and didn't get the raise he was promised, either. But when sales people promised customers some unrealistic deadlines and features without clearing it with the development team first, Franz knew it was time to move on.
He says once you feel you're being taken advantage of, it's time to leave because "there are also companies that value you and treat you with respect."
