3 Key Lessons Toxic Jobs Taught Me
Two Minute Read
I've experienced my fair share of toxic employers and have often struggled with the decision of whether to stay or leave. Despite the advice to separate work and personal life, it's challenging given the amount of time the average person spends at work. Leaving a job is tough, but being unhappy is even more difficult.
Here are three lessons I learned from working in toxic environments, which have helped me navigate and make better career decisions:
1. Staying in an Unhealthy Environment Doesn't Prove My Strength
Prioritizing my mental health and self-worth is essential. Neglecting that was my biggest failure. I used to believe that staying in a toxic work environment was a sign of strength, no matter how bad it got.
I hear many women of color express these same sentiments because they want to prove that nothing will drive them away--and they wear it like a a badge of honor, like I did.
However, suppressing my emotions to deal with all the negativity in a toxic workplace started to take a toll on my mental health. It silenced me and made me feel hopeless. I decided I wanted out, and when I chose to leave, it was not a sign of failure but an act of self-care.
2. Breaking the 'One-Year Rule' Didn't Tarnish My Career
I used to have a rule: I could not leave a job in less than one year. That changed when I started a job and quickly realized it wasn't a good fit. Despite my initial worries about breaking my 'one-year rule,' I made an exit plan and left the job after a few months. Of course, I was concerned about the impact that would have on my resume, but I trusted my gut and skills.
At my next job, I received several promotions and ultimately set myself up to gain valuable experience in my field. This experience taught me a valuable lesson. From this experience, I now only seek opportunities that help me grow. I now realize this discernment isn't tied to a specific timeframe.
3. Letting Go of Fear and Trusting in God Always Leads to the Best Outcome
I used to hesitate to leave a job because I didn't want to end up in a similar or worse situation. However, when I explored the job market, I saw numerous opportunities that could take my career to the next level. Many of them were positions at levels above my current title and at companies that were challenging to get into. I was apprehensive about applying to them because I thought it was too ambitious. But somewhere deep down, I found the courage to leap.
Despite receiving many rejections, many final interviews that didn't turn into offers, and many "you don't meet the minimum qualifications" emails (even though I did), I persevered. I felt at peace about the rejection because I genuinely believed I had the talent and God was preparing me for the best opportunities. After a year and a half of hearing "no," I received two fantastic offers from two different companies. I accepted one, and the best part was that I could work from home.
This experience taught me that I could achieve the unimaginable if I let go of fear and trust in God.
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I hope my lessons inspire you to make the right decisions for your career. Everyone’s journey is unique, so consult God for His divine direction. You can also seek guidance and support from mentors, career coaches, and other professionals.
Me, Shantina Hollie, sitting at my home office desk in 2023
Additional Resources:
Experiencing burnout? Check out this report from a workplace DEI firm that found 88% of Black women report experiencing burnout in their careers. The firm also offers career coaching for Black women.
Need resume guidance? If you are looking for guidance from a professional source on whether to include short-term jobs on your resume, check out this article on Indeed.
Looking for spiritual guidance? Read Romans 8:26-28 which affirms that God works everything out for our good.
