Don’t love job? You need a plan — whether staying or leaving

How’s work going these days? Oh. That bad, huh? If you dread being asked about your job, you’re probably not a happy camper. The question is, what are you going to do about it?

Depending on about a million other factors in your life, perhaps nothing. At least, nothing that would look like throwing your ID badge on the floor and quitting in a huff.

As tempting as it may be, most people can’t just leave when jobs start to go south. But that doesn’t mean they can’t ever leave, or that they must tolerate the situation while every grievance starts to fester.

There’s a middle ground between burning bridges and letting someone else build a bridge on your back. If you’re going to bite the bul- let for any length of time, it’s critical not to let things get worse: You need to make a plan for leaving, but you also need a plan for staying.

Determine why you’re staying. Of course you probably need the money. But how much money, and how far would your financial cushion take you? Uh-oh, you don’t have a financial cushion. Well, one reason to stay might be to let you build that cushion, even if it means taking a second job or adding some overtime.

Other reasons people stay in unlovable jobs can include wanting to finish a milestone project, anticipating a new title or bonus, or needing to keep a specific benefit such as day care subsidies. Whatever your motivation, now is the time to clarify: Is this reason worth what it’s costing you and, what is the date when you’ll feel ready to leave?

Set the “rules” for staying. Whether you plan to stay six weeks or six years, it’s worth the effort to reset your work conditions where possible. Anything from duties to compensation to having a different work schedule can make the difference between a job that’s tolerable and one that impacts you in negative ways. Remember that you’re the main enforcer of the rules. If you negotiate leaving early on Fridays, don’t accept meetings or other obligations that infringe on that schedule.

Make your go-plan for leaving. While you may have decided to stay in your job, you also know that it won’t be forever. With that in mind, it’s only logical to make a go-plan that you can roll out when it’s time to leave. Here are five steps for a smooth launch sequence.

1. Establish a timeline. Can you hold out six months? A year? Five years? Knowing how long you expect to stay lets you pace yourself on the steps to follow.

2. Confirm your job goal. This may shift as time passes, but what job title would you be heading for next? In what type of company? At what salary? By clarifying these points, you can determine how ready you are for the next opportunity.

3. Identify missing skills or credentials. With some baseline research you should be able to tell if you’re already a viable can didate for your job goal. If you’re not, use your timeline to fill as many gaps as possible. Among the options available to you, that could mean asking for more duties or training in your current job, taking online courses, or earning a new certificate.

4. Increase your networking. You don’t need to tell others you’d like to leave your job (although that might be a calculated risk worth taking). But you do need to increase contact with people who can connect you with opportunities later. In this way, you’ll be building a stronger safety net.

5. Be ready to launch your search. If possible, try for a 90-day runway since that will give you ample time to connect all the way through from your first outreach to an offer you like. In addition to completing the previous steps, being ready means having your resume and LinkedIn profile up to date. (Although you might decide to wait on updating your LinkedIn until you’re ready to fly.)

Why go to the trouble of planning a job search when you don’t intend to leave your job any time soon? Two good reasons come to mind. First, taking these steps will help you recognize opportunities in real time when they pop up unexpectedly.

And second? Knowing that you’re not trapped will give you the fortitude to endure your current job.

This is a two-parter, so hang tight. Next week we’ll look at a process to follow when it’s finally time to turn in your resignation.