A poor experience working at a technology company needn’t be all doom and gloom. It provides an opportunity to both learn and grow as an IT professional. Remember, you aren’t alone, as a vast majority of those in the tech industry don’t stay with one organization over their entire career.

Let’s look more closely at how to turn an experience at a bad IT job into something more positive for your career growth. Use the lessons learned as a chance to strive for an even higher level. Good luck!

Balancing Your Professional and Personal Lives

A healthy work/life balance plays a huge role in building a successful career. The best tech companies understand this, and offer their employees additional perks like flexible scheduling, telecommuting, and wellness programs to help them achieve a proper balance in their life. If your previous employer wasn’t this enlightened, make sure to research the future companies’ culture before applying.

Keeping Your Commitment Level High

Even if you feel stuck in your current IT position, make sure you always give your utmost effort. This includes a commitment to networking – both online and in-person – outside of your day job. You never know when a new and better opportunity may present itself!

Always Produce Quality Work

Always show pride in the work that you do, no matter your current situation. A strong work ethic combined with a professional history filled with quality work serves you well throughout a long IT career. Never let a bad job give you poor work habits or a case of laziness.

Maintain a Positive Attitude

Keeping a positive attitude is a must in a less than perfect work situation. Don’t let negative thoughts siphon your productivity or adversely influence your personal life. Getting stuck in a negative cycle may affect your ability to easily find a potentially better position.

A Learning Opportunity is Always Useful

Always take advantage of any opportunity to add to your skill set – even when working for a bad employer. A technology career means your learning never stops, and a broader set of skills makes you more attractive to future employers. Once again, developing a negative attitude prevents you from making the best out of a poor situation.

When you need additional advice on developing your technology career, talk to the knowledgeable recruiters at MindFinders. As one of the top IT staffing agencies in Washington DC, we also know what companies are looking for talented pros. Get in touch with us as soon as possible!

Written by Tim Booker, President and CEO of MindFinders, with over 20 years of industry experience.