Is it bad to be mediocre at the job that you dislike?

hiddenknight821

I work at a call center, supporting proprietary videoconferencing devices and apps for a small customer base. After the first few months, I quickly find that I am not doing better more than half of my colleagues according to the weekly performance metrics. However, when I really look at the quality of their work, reviewing some of their documentations, I see they're either being dishonest, taking shortcuts, or they did not put in enough quality work and only did the bare minimum. They were good at figuring out the number games with our metrics system. Our documentations are not closely monitored otherwise reported. My problem has been consistently spending more times with the customers on each call for quality purposes.

Nevertheless, I couldn't take shortcuts as my heart wouldn't allow me to do so. Since then, I have succumbed to cruising on the mediocrity train, knowing that there is no vertical growth in this organization, and the annual cost-of-living raise wasn't worth the extra effort. Beside, I work at a remote center, and our tech support department is the only department here. The headquarter is two time-zone away from us, which leaves us very little opportunity to network to move up in the organization. The only relevant experience I'm getting is the soft skill, asking residential customers leading questions, when I really wanted to become a Linux admin.

It's my third year on the job, and I'm slowly in the process of looking for a job. I had the opportunity to leave my job sooner, but a life-changing event got in the way. Got married and we had our first child. Now, I can't just take any Linux jobs. I've seen some opportunities with contracts, but I'd need the stability and the benefits that my current job provided for my family as I'm the sole provider.

We'd be luck if we have a lot of downtime at my current job. So, I have to do the majority of my self-study at home. When I'm home, I'm always busy, either doing chores, cooking, or looking after my daughter. I'd find little time to study, and I do not feel prepared to sit in a technical interview any time soon as I still need more time to be prepared.

Meanwhile, I've took the initiative to put my Python knowledge to some use, working on a side pet project for work as I plan to create a tool that will give me the metrics data in real time rather than waiting a week later to view the weekly report on how we did the prior week. This will also benefit me as I will be able to track how much time spent. I hope to receive some recognition for this useful tool. If not, then I know that's my cue to leave the organization.

networker050184

Settling for mediocrity is never a good thing in my opinion regardless.

joelsfood

Exactly what networker said. Whether you enjoy the job/company or not, your own pride should demand excellence from yourself.

philz1982

If you settle for anything in life you tell your mind that it is acceptable. A better option would be to decide how you can either
A) Change jobs
Utilize the time at work to take on more challenging tasks, for example look up how to create a business plan, find an inefficient process and create a plan to fix it from business case, ROI, process change ect. I did this in previous roles and it helped me move up
C) Utilize your time to learn the business and create your own business
D) Use the time to learn a different skill.

scaredoftests

No to mediocrity! Apply your Python knowledge and if it is not appreciated, look for another job.

Lexluethar

Unfortunate but a lot of call centers focus on metrics that have zero meaning to the end user. They generally show that a call center can close tickets quickly and move onto the next issue. The problem with these types of metrics are they do not measure end user perception or the quality of service given to the end user. What you end up nurturing in that environment are quick ticket closures and end user dissatisfaction with the help desk.

Considering you probably can't change the culture of your work environment (considering most of those are facilitated from the top down) your best option IMO is to hone your skills on your down time and search for new jobs. Take the opportunity to start focusing on your next career move (scary i know) and study towards that goal. Considering you are employed now you can be picky (IE don't take anything that is temp) and look at different options.

ImYourOnlyDJ

I remember reading a quote "If it's worth doing, it's worth giving 100%". I would try to make the best of it even if you hate what you are doing. It sounds to me that you should be looking for a different job. Even if you can't land a linux admin type job something like a technical Help Desk position at a place where you can move up could make a tremendous difference. Don't mean to be too blunt but if you really want it you will find time to study and find a better job. Even just studying during lunch or listening to podcasts on your way to work can make a big difference. With three years at your job and no promotion in sight you should be moving on. I'd recommend looking for a Help Desk or Desktop Support position if you can't find anything linux based. With your certifications and soft skills I'm sure you can find something that's a step up for you.

I was in a similar position where I was working a in a help desk call center type position. On paper I was mediocre, but I resolved a lot more tickets instead of sending them to the desktop or systems guys. My quality of work was noticed and was promoted out of Help Desk very quickly. Needless to say getting an IT Help Desk job was the best thing that's happened for my career.

chrisone

Striving to do good/great work will motivate you to another job/employer.

Its inevitable when you are at a company that promotes mediocre work and you want to strive to do better, that eventually you will leave for a better job/employer. Otherwise be content with the mediocre work and employer.

gespenstern

hiddenknight821 wrote: »

My problem has been consistently spending more times with the customers on each call for quality purposes...

Nevertheless, I couldn't take shortcuts as my heart wouldn't allow me to do so.

Do not even think on giving up. This attitude will finally open you a door into large enterprise high level positions where slow, thorough and error-prone approach is valued the most. That's where you'll shine.

Keep looking and advancing your career, you have much better prospects than those mediocre colleagues.

OctalDump

This job is not for you. Life is too short to get stuck doing something you hate. Small children complicate the situation a bit, but small children quickly become bigger children. Stick at it while you have to, but put effort into getting out. I'd say it's even worth a small pay cut if you can find something where you can grow.

Raisin

Get out while you can. It might be scary to leave when you have a child, but you're not really doing your family any favours by staying. You're in a dead end job that sounds a lot like entry level work. Since you've already been there for three years staying any longer is only going to negatively impact your career. It might be stable right now, but what's going to happen years down the road if the company decides to close up shop? Not too many hiring managers are going to look favorably at a ten year call center resume. They are going to wonder why you didn't move up and think you're unmotivated.

scaredoftests

Look for a job while you are in a job.

blargoe

It sounds like you need to have a heart to heart discussion with your wife, and help her to understand in non-techie terms how miserable you are at your job, and how long term, you are putting yourself at risk by staying there. You need to put in some work to get yourself out of this situation, and as your partner, she will have to pick up some of your slack at home. Which, if she is not employed, I don't see the problem. Just remember, it is exponentially easier to get this done when you have one kid than it is when you have three or four...

My two cents

YesOffense

Is it ok to be mediocre? Man what?

hiddenknight821

Thank you all for your invaluable inputs! You guys are like a family here.

While I agree with the sentiment here that there is no place for mediocrity, it is inevitable when you get discouraged and start to lose motivation entirely. It is difficult to become motivated with something you don't enjoy doing or knowing that no matter how good you are at it, it's still mostly irrelevant to the areas you are passionate about. So yes, it is time for me to switch job that fits closely with my desires, or at least put me on the right path toward the goals. From what I've learned here, bottom line is changing job should be your number one priority if you ever find yourself in this position.

ImYourOnlyDJ wrote: »

On paper I was mediocre, but I resolved a lot more tickets instead of sending them to the desktop or systems guys. My quality of work was noticed and was promoted out of Help Desk very quickly.

Reading this gave me relief that there is still faith in humanity. Good to know there are still competent employers that can distinguish an outstanding employee from an internal "paper tiger"

blargoe wrote: »

It sounds like you need to have a heart to heart discussion with your wife, and help her to understand in non-techie terms how miserable you are at your job, and how long term, you are putting yourself at risk by staying there.

Believe me I have. My wife thinks I'm just being selfish, trying to avoid our fussy baby altogether. I explained to her that she underestimated the amount of time I needed to study and gain a deep understanding in the subject, and it is really no difference from going to school part-time. There's no denying that it'll take me a little longer to find the right job as my hearing loss seem to startle some employers, which limit my marketability. The problem is that my wife's feeling a lot miserable lately, being stuck at home without a car with no allowance for herself as I couldn't afford luxury on my income alone. She couldn't see herself as a homemaker forever. So, I'm trying to keep her happy, helping around the house. We recently found out that for the last couple of months my wife didn't have to clear out her hard-earned saving, paying off her federal student loans in chunks. Wish I knew this sooner as that'd probably have made her more happier and less stressed out with finding a job soon after she runs out of fund. Ignorance is not a bliss, indeed. I'd need to get back to my wife about this again, and try to work out a deal, hoping that she can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

advanex1

Hey man,

Being mediocre is never good. I'm very honest about myself and what I do. I was in recruiting for 3 years for the Army.. hated every minute of it. It was very easy to become complacent, because there was nothing pushing me. I felt, as most of us do, that I was above and beyond the guys there. The problem was, I really wasn't a decent recruiter. I have very good people skills, but I'm extremely honest. While this worked for the people I was recruiting, it did not sit well with the guys above me.

What that mediocrity did to me though was slow me down in my career. I stopped taking certifications, studied minimally for my degree, and was always stressed out/anxious to where it effected my family life. Don't let the work place ruin you. It needs to be looked at as a stepping stone. Give your best effort.. I'm speaking from experience.

hiddenknight821

Yes, mediocrity is bad. What exactly did you do to get back on top again? Did you put in "more effort" by start being less honest? Switch jobs?

Kinet1c

You need your wife's support. She must realise that a better job/career will ultimately help the family out as a whole. If I didn't have the support of my wife right now, there's no way I could consider pursuing my BSc. I suffer with the same metrics BS, I take on the tough work when most of the others take on the easy quick tickets and they ramp up their numbers.

scaredoftests

I understand your wife's side of it (being the wife in that situation with a baby etc). Being Tired and Hormonal are so much fun! However, she will realize the change will be good for everyone.

bpenn

Your wife reminds me similarly of mine. She supports me but is very impatient and wants my career to take off so she can stop working crap jobs and focus on her photography 100%. I get your frustration and it may be hard to get her to understand so just do the best you can and never stop improving yourself and looking for that next opportunity.

bigdogz

First of all I think that you are doing the right thing by not taking / making shortcuts. Just do your best and let those who **** the system feed your drive to improve. Asking your boss on how to improve will give you some ideas and show him/her that you are will to find another way to upgrade your performance.

I think you should be motivated by your wife and baby. I know that the little one can take a great deal of time out of your life but this is where you should be motivated enough in your job to be better than you are today. The idea using python may help.
You should also have to use time management. You may want to talk to a friend that is working in a hospital while going to school. You can also find some advice from friends that recently had kids and get some pointers. You can find out how to make time for your studies. Creating MP3's and listening them during my drive to and from work helped me get my certifications.

My wife is the same. After I received some certs I explained how I got there and it helped give her a better understanding to obtain the credentials.

Good Luck!!!

DoubleNNs

1) The best way to get a new job is to be great at your current job.

2) Sometimes focusing on your job can be detrimental to your career.

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with diverting some of your energy from one task so you can pour more into another. It's all a balancing act and a game of risks and hopes of realized returns. Just realize what you're missing out by choosing either path.