You might have read somewhere that companies like Google offer all kinds of amenities to their software writers. Of course, you also heard of Henry Ford's comment when touring his offices with a friend who wondered about this guy who had his feet on the desk while throwing little paper airplanes in the air. Henry F. replied that it was his most productive employee who did his best thinking in that manner. You don't have to be caught in an 8 to 5 boring job at your desk, trying to fit in with the rest of the desk jockeys.
Do Your Research
Your first step is to do research on your company and on its competitors. We can't all work for Microsoft or Yahoo; but there are hundreds of businesses in your line of work who would be very happy to make room for a guy (or gal) with a good creative mind. Do not hesitate to discuss your options with friends or colleagues. Yes, I know! They will snitch on me and my boss is going to call me in and ask what the deuce (replace with stronger word if needed!) is going on.
If you are confident that you are doing a good job and that it would be difficult to replace you, tell him (her) quite frankly that you need a bigger challenge. Companies spend a lot of money training their employees and hate to see some competitor enjoy the benefits thereof.
If you are not quite sure that they'd want to keep you around, good! Go for it! You have been wasting your valuable time in a dead end job.
Remember! Change does not mean that you are a failure! Heck, it took me 4 tries at desk jobs before I realized that I really wanted to work with teens in high school and supplement my income by writing about my life experiences. It may be less money, but the vacations are great! Seriously, I enjoy myself and no longer worry about office gossip around the water cooler (I've always wanted to include that gadget in my articles!).
Make Sure Your Work Is Appreciated
You may be all alone (in a matter of speaking) in a small cubicle amongst 200 other people doing something similar. How do you know that your output is really appreciated by those who count?
First of all, if you are not pouring your heart and soul into your professional responsibilities, look for another job; that's not for you, since you obviously don't care much.
If you are really doing you best, talk to other people who are in the same line of work. Without giving your personal reasons, try to discover what they feel about their results. Try also to find out who is the star of the show, in other words who is most appreciated by your bosses. Once you have the information, compare notes and analyze your production with the best in the office.
But do not stop there; look at the market in general. See what others are making salary wise in the same job.
Stay Away From Gossip
There is nothing more destructive than malicious gossip (Is there any other kind?). Yet, get 20 people working together for more than a week, and the rumor machine will start full blast.
Do Not Participate! If you become a full-fledged member, you can never leave the group! Just like the Mafia! Why? Because all the other people would turn on you or turn you in, whichever is more convenient for them. You will become persona non grata as they say in diplomatic circles.
You think the White House is immune because of their powerful positions? Think again! Gen. Colin Powell was so upset by the backdoor stabbing at the State Department that he resigned as soon as decently possible. Some companies have realized that gossip and rumors affect the bottom line; they are doing something about it, like firing the employee, even if he (she) is doing a good job otherwise.
IV. Get Feedback
I remember in the early sixties while working at an insurance company that my boss would call me once a year (!) to "evaluate" my work. Wow and freaking wow! Good companies should give you honest feedback at least every week; if they don't, look for another job!
You need to know whether you are on the right path, not just whether you skipped a coma in your last report.
There is such a thing as company culture and every business has a different one. You should read and reread the Employee Handbook to fully understand what's expected of you. You should also be able to talk to your boss freely, without fear of retaliation. Expose your concerns, even it involves colleagues. If they are an obstacle to your progress, don't feel bad about telling on them; but make sure you have the right arguments and facts to back up your claim.
Working at the office should not be a cause for anxiety and excessive stress. If it is, you are doing something wrong and maybe you should change to something better. But if you are comfortable at the present desk, don't forget that 8 to 5 is for losers. You leave whenever you know your assignment has been done well, whether it's 5 or 11 o'clock.
