5 ways to find a positive work environment and a job you’ll actually enjoy

Anyone who’s left a toxic workplace knows it’s not an easy transition. You might feel uncomfortable about leaving on bad terms, or you may be afraid of burning bridges and being blacklisted in your industry. 

But as difficult as it is to leave a toxic workplace, staying will almost certainly have even worse effects on your mental and emotional health. If you find yourself in this position, don’t worry!

Leaving a toxic workplace does not mean the end of your career. In fact, it’s probably the best thing that could have happened to you.

If you’re currently working somewhere that’s making your life miserable, read on to discover how to find a new job with ease by market yourself effectively when looking for work, make connections with hiring managers at recruiters and other companies, and build a support network so that you have people to go to for advice when needed.

1. Come up with a game plan.

If you find yourself in a toxic working environment, the first thing you’ll want to do is make a plan. You don’t have to decide right away that you want to leave your job, but you should certainly start thinking about your options. You may want to consider your financial situation and any other obligations you have before making any moves. 

You may not want to take any break in employment, even if it is temporary. That’s OK. You have every right to make decisions that are best for you and your situation. 

You don’t have to make a huge, life-altering change right now if you don’t want to. But you should at least start thinking about your options and making a game plan for when you do decide to leave.

2. Find a job that you actually enjoy

When you’re looking for a new job, be sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. Of course, you want to make more money, but more money isn’t always better. 

You also want to work for a company that has excellent benefits and a positive culture. You want to work for an employer that inspires you and makes you want to do better every day. 

When you’re looking for a new job, try to avoid making a direct connection between your current position and the one you want to get.

You don’t want to be walking into an interview thinking, “I have to get out of this job. I only want to work here because it’s better than my current job.” Instead, you want to be thinking, “This job sounds amazing. I’m so lucky to have an opportunity to work here.”

3. Use your network

The people you surround yourself with can be incredibly helpful when you’re looking for a new job. 

Your colleagues may be able to help you find a job that is a better fit for you, either by introducing you to hiring managers at their companies or by giving you leads to companies where you might want to work. 

They might also be able to help you make the most of the connections you already have. For example, if you have a friend who works for a company that is hiring, you can ask if he or she might be able to make a connection for you and get your name in front of the recruiters.

4. Take care of yourself

If you’ve been in a toxic work environment for a while, it’s likely that you’ve taken on some self-doubt and low self-esteem. You may be questioning your abilities and feeling some symptoms of Imposter Syndrome. 

Any time you make a change in your life—even if it’s something that you need to do for your mental health—you will doubt yourself at first. But you need to push past your self-doubt and move forward with confidence. 

You have to believe that you can do better. You have to be proud of yourself for surviving in a toxic environment for as long as you did, and for finally making the decision to walk away.

5. Research companies you’re interested in

Once you’ve found a job that you’re excited about, it’s time to do some research on the company. You want to make sure it’s the right fit for you, and you want to make a good first impression. Start by doing an online search for the company’s name and see what pops up. 

You’ll find lots of information, including the company’s social media profiles, press releases, and even job postings at the company if they have any available positions.

You can also visit the company’s website and look through their “About” page, which is usually where they list their mission statement and other important information. 

You’ll probably find some information on the company culture right on their website. You can also do an internet search for the name of the company, followed by “culture” or “values.” You’ll find tons of articles about the company, and you can learn a lot about the culture just by reading through these articles.

Conclusion

Leaving a toxic work environment can be difficult, especially when you’re trying to find a new job. Your best bet is to try to find a job that you’re excited about and that inspires you. 

When you’re interviewing, you want to make sure to mention the things that are important to you, like the company culture and values, so that you make a good impression on hiring managers. 

You also want to take care of yourself and be confident and remember that it’s OK to take your time finding the right job. Don’t rush the job search process. When you find a job that you want, you’ll know it, and that’s when it’s time to go out there and get it!

💡You might love your job but not all of your coworkers or boss. This can affect your motivation and job performance. So what can you do to fix the situation? Read more here →