10 Tips for Making the Best of a Boring Job
Surveys show that most workers who have a job plan to stay put over the next six months. That makes sense, given the job market. But just because you’re aware that you’re lucky to be employed doesn’t mean that you enjoy what you’re doing. So how do you stick it out if your job is, well, boring?
Maybe you’ve outgrown your role, or you’re tired of doing the same old thing day in and day out. Or maybe the job simply isn’t what you expected when you started. That can happen, whether immediately after you sign on or gradually over time, as responsibilities evolve and duties change. Either way, it’s an unpleasant surprise to discover that you’re doing work that doesn’t align with your expectations or goals.
If quitting isn’t an option — and again, for many workers, it just isn’t right now — there are things you can do to make the best of a difficult (and boring) situation.
10 Tips for Making a Boring Job Better
1. Focus on the people rather than the tasks. Provide extra support for coworkers you like, or try to give the best possible service to customers. Everyone is having a hard time right now. Being the bright spot in someone else’s day will make your day better, too.
2. Notice the roles played by other workers around you. If you believe someone could use some extra help in a role that involves more challenges than yours, volunteer to help them. (Make sure your primary responsibilities are under control, and get your supervisor’s approval before proceeding.)
3. Never convey to coworkers the sense that you think your work is beneath you. Do your best work in all that you do and try to keep a positive attitude. Other people will likely notice, which can come in handy when you need recommendations and referrals for more interesting jobs later on. Plus, you’ll feel good about yourself, which is always a good investment.
4. Be the fun person in the office. If you’re bored at work, you probably aren’t the only one. Think of fun things to do with coworkers to break up the day. Make lunch plans or start a hobby club (for example, a book club or running group).
5. Cultivate relationships with potential mentors who can help open up more stimulating pathways within the organization. Ask your mentors to think along with you about the best approach for expanding your role. Help your mentors when you can, and be sure to express your gratitude.
6. Appreciate the benefits of a job that doesn’t cause you to worry and take work home. Look for outlets for unmet values and interests outside of work. A boring job might leave you with the time and energy to volunteer at the animal shelter, learn to play an instrument, or mentor a disadvantaged youth. Volunteering will also give you some new skills and experience for your resume.
7. Consider freelancing or starting a business in your free time to add a challenge to your life, and possibly a new direction for your career. It can also help you pad your savings in case you decide you need to invest in your education to make a career change later on.
8. Take some classes after work to upgrade your knowledge and skills and provide an element of intellectual stimulation. There are many free and low-cost classes online — we listed some of them here. Google “free online classes” and you’ll see lots of other options, as well.
9. Keep a log of your work activities. Think about when you’re most energized at work. Can you think of ways to spend more time on the most interesting aspects of your job? Present a plan to your supervisor with emphasis on how the unit will benefit.
10. Formulating a clear plan for your next job can help you look past your current boring position and have hope for the future. Spend some time researching more exciting career options and doing the things you need to build your background for that next job.
New & Noteworthy
Initial Unemployment Claims Jump to Highest Level Since 2021: At Bluesky, economist Guy Berger breaks down the rise in initial claims: “An extremely concerning jump in initial claims to 263K (highest since the fall of 2021). This data includes Labor Day weekend, so maybe it's holiday noise, but I'm worried.”
He notes that initial claims in Texas doubled due to flooding and the recent extension of an unemployment program targeted at affected workers. However, continuing claims are creeping up, and Google searches for unemployment benefits have also risen, indicating that unemployment may be increasing overall. (Not on Bluesky? MarketWatch also covered the story.)
Government Shutdown Looms: “Things have changed” since some Democrats voted with Republicans to keep the government funded in March, says Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer in an interview with the Associated Press. Sen. Schumer says that he and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries will oppose any stopgap funding that doesn’t include healthcare provisions.
There appears to be some bipartisan interest in extending tax credits for Obamacare programs, which would keep health insurance costs more reasonable for consumers who buy their plans through the marketplace. Less likely is the possibility of rolling back the Medicaid cuts included in the One Big Beautiful Bill.
Inflation Rises; the Fed Is Expected to Cut Interest Rates Anyway: Inflation ticked higher once again last month, notching its largest increase since January, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the Federal Reserve is still expected to cut the benchmark interest rate at its meeting next week, in part because of slowing job and wage growth.
Our Favorite Tools & Tips
Zoom Practice Meeting: Before you participate in a job interview, it's always a good idea to test your computer settings and make sure your background is appropriate and your appearance is professional. Sign in to Zoom's practice meeting for a trial run to ensure everything is set.
CareerOneStop Training Finder: When you need to build skills and credentials to advance your career, CareerOneStop’s Training Finder will help you with every step, from learning about options to getting the skills you need to grow or change careers.
Truity Photo Career Quiz: The Photo Career Quiz is a fun quiz that only takes a few minutes. All you need to do is look at a series of photographs and click on which one you like best. When you’re done, you’ll get a free profile of your career interests.
Sponsored by Proficiently
Proficiently uses a combination of a team of career coaches and AI to help you get hired. Proficiently helps with personalized job curation, job matching, resume and cover letter assistance, networking outreach, LinkedIn optimization, interview prep, and more. Most importantly, they aim to ensure their clients feel personally supported throughout their job search.
Note: We may receive a small commission if you sign up using this link.