Feeling Stuck in a Toxic Job: Is Switching Again a Career Mistake? Seeking Advice!

Hi all, here is my question. I am seeking advice here.

1. I have been working in a very reputable MNC for the past 1.5 years (with a total experience of 3.5-4 years). However, I am completely dissatisfied with my job due to the toxic work culture, poor management, weekend work, ever-increasing workload, a 2-hour commute, and the list goes on.

2. I am considering leaving this job to join service-based companies like TCS or Infosys. Even though these companies may not offer a significant salary hike, I believe my quality of life could improve there.

3. The dilemma I face is that this is already my third job within 4 years. My previous two roles were in small companies where I had to leave due to low pay. I feel somewhat unlucky in this regard.

4. What should I do? Will quitting again reflect poorly on my CV? Should I persevere in my current job (which is very challenging)? Is seeking a fourth job in four years a negative move that could impact my long-term career prospects?

I hope to receive some guidance on this matter. Thank you for your help.

Dear member,

There is a famous saying, "No pain, no gain." It appears you want too many goodies at the same time - more pay, less commuting, a branded company, less work, two weekly offs, a good manager, great work culture, and some leisure for yourself. Are you sure that if you leave this company, you will get all of this from another company?

What I understand is that you are looking for work-life balance. First, try to be clear about your career and life goals. Career goals should include career progression with decent pay in reputable companies, while life goals involve allowing yourself time to spend with your family and socializing. I do not find any fault with your way of thinking. Work-life balance is the toughest challenge of modern times for the corporate world. You may have to make some compromises in some areas to benefit in others.

Therefore, prepare a wish list, prioritize them, and start focusing on your targets. For example, if your priority is to avoid spending two hours on commuting but you want to work in an MNC or an Indian Blue-Chip company, you may have to compromise on pay. Try to find out if there is such a company within a commutable distance of yours, even if it offers less pay. Try any method of compensating for the lower pay, such as acquiring new skills that the job offers.

Regards,
B. Saikumar
HR & Labour Law Advisor
Mumbai

Considerations for Changing Jobs

Please consider reasons other than inconvenience for changing jobs. We understand how humanly difficult it is to live or work beyond certain conditions. A firm closing down or a role being eliminated is entirely beyond your control. However, when the reason for a job change is self-explanatory, you have fewer reasons to worry. If your salary has been consistently increasing, it speaks volumes about you, more than you may realize. Inability to handle challenges in the workplace shows a lack of maturity. It is natural to develop these competencies over time. Stay humble in your understanding and share how much you have learned from your seniors.

Evaluating Your Reasons

Put the reasons into the right perspective. Evaluate your learning from different environments and explain how these experiences can contribute to the role you are applying for at TCS or other major companies. Explain why they should trust you to fulfill a role that requires consistency.

You may want to read this article [Job hopping](https://www.citeman.com/11515-job-hopping-boon-or-bane-a-critical-analysis.html) for further insights.

Regards

Thanks for all the replies. It seems that my post has given the impression that I expect too much from the job and want everything to happen in the right way. However, this is not the case. How can anyone justify daily unnecessary deadlines (which are because of lapses on their part and not mine) and bad treatment irrespective of good work done? I am not asking for everything to be great, but is it too much to expect some of these basic things to be at a fair level?

Still, my question remains: How many job switches are too many?