When you have very little to do at your job, how do you fill your time? Apply to other jobs? Look at social media?

22 Comments

1. Patricia Osborne RandolphMay 20,2025 at 1:26PM UTC

   Is it a seasonal concern where during a certain time of the year work responsibilities are small? I look into finding out if I can assist with other work responsibilities with my management. I am sure if you notice the lack of work then your managment does as well, unless that is the small responsibilities hired for nothing more?

2. AnonymousMay 20,2025 at 1:38PM UTC

   Consider taking courses on LinkedIn or other sites your job might make available to strengthen your skillsets. Is there an area you’d like to explore, like AI or leadership? Taking advantage of your downtime to boost your skills could open a door for you.

3. AnonymousMay 20,2025 at 1:55PM UTC

   I am actually considering other career paths.

4. AnonymousMay 20,2025 at 2:52PM UTC

   Create efficiencies; update processes; clean out paper/product/files that aren't needed anymore. Pitch in when/where I see a need. Tell my boss what I've accomplished & ask how else I can be of help.

5. Titra HamiltonMay 20,2025 at 3:43PM UTC

   I agree with what others have posted. Continue being a team player by asking to help others, solve some problem that others lack bandwidth to address, support a new initiative, do some proactive process improvement, take courses to increase your productivity, do some documentation that teams need, etc. Definitely do not indulge in social media. Check in with your direct supervisor to see if there is a reason why you have so little to do. After that conversation, you may want to apply to other jobs. Good luck.

6. Yamini BangarusamyMay 20,2025 at 3:48PM UTC

   If you’re happy at your job, no need to job hunt just because it’s slow. Use the downtime to learn more about the company, shadow someone, or offer to help on other projects. It’s a great chance to upskill, build relationships, and make the most of your role.

7. AnonymousMay 20,2025 at 4:08PM UTC

   Take classes, online certifications .....show you are committed to growth and offering more expertise.

8. DawnMay 20,2025 at 5:02PM UTC

   I am a believer that a job is what you make of it and if you are bored or have little to do you need to ask for more. It looks like you are interested in gaining more skills and trying to be a team player, both positives.

   I was a data entry operator at a company and worked in the payroll department. When payroll was completed for the week there wasn't much else to do so I began asking other teams if I could help. I learned about Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, HR and Recruiting. Throughout my career it has benefited me greatly by having this understanding of other department functions.

   I know these days people are afraid of taking on more but I'd rather be busy and soak up any knowledge I can, in my field or another, than to sit around and look like I'm not part of the team.

   Good Luck!

9. AnonymousMay 20,2025 at 7:20PM UTC

   Apply to other jobs? Look at social media? No. This is a slacker mentality.

   Think about using your time wisely. Improve yourself. Grow . Add to your resume. I'm sure you have career goals. Why not add to your resume?

   Be proactive. Don't waste valuable time. Enroll in classes.

10. AnonymousMay 21,2025 at 5:59AM UTC

    I coulnd't work at a job where I had that much down time, it woudn't be personally satisfying. I'd also be concerned with job secuirty. My personality is one that always needs to be challenged and I look for my next goal as I'm finishing my current goal. I tend to try and take things off my boss that is in the direction I want my career to go. I also take classes and read industry articles. If I scroll social it's liknkedin reading about my industry.

11. AnonymousMay 21,2025 at 12:36PM UTC

    I recently held a position that had me warming the chair. I started taking courses to up my skills.

12. Jessica FerlandMay 21,2025 at 12:38PM UTC

    I was going to say the very same thing. Sometimes companies offer free courses or have relationships with other agencies for discounts. Do all of them that you are able!!

13. GirlBossanova934974May 21,2025 at 12:43PM UTC

    As others have pointed out, there is plenty of time now to enroll in online courses etc.. And what courses do you take? Go out and look at some recent job postings and see what employers want? Software skills?Take those courses. Those courses can be very valuable. Many can get you a $10K raise at the next place.

14. AnonymousMay 21,2025 at 3:34PM UTC

    Never! instead you ask for more things to do or find things to do or learn. Your career is far more important than wasting time doing inane things that will hurt you during work times than things like that. Take the time if you believe you have nothing to do instead to decide how to grow your skills and to move into a place where your talents are not wasted if this is not fixable.

15. AnonymousMay 21,2025 at 6:30PM UTC

    Either find more work, or find a job that fills your day.

16. AnonymousMay 21,2025 at 8:18PM UTC

    Applying to other jobs and scanning social media while getting paid for your workday is a great idea...said no one ever. Is this question even real??

17. AnonymousMay 21,2025 at 9:28PM UTC

    Seriously? You must have some ambition right. Try investing in yourself.

18. Neima NawazMay 21,2025 at 10:32PM UTC

    I've always had this question. Are you allowed to train yourself or upskill your self at work hours including teaching yourself new coding or excel skills?

19. Erica NicholasMay 22,2025 at 1:21PM UTC

    I take lessons online such as Excel or Word, even Outlook- programs you probably already know but I work on the less utilized pieces for practice. I've also taken some cbt offered by the company that isn't required for my role but is interesting to know.

20. Dr. Patty GrossMay 22,2025 at 2:09PM UTC

    First, you should limit your time on social media. Some places ban that, and they can also track your computer activity, so keep that in mind. If you get on social media, ensure it is relevant to your job (look at your company's or a competitor's page if it is pertinent to your role, for example).

    Second, and I cannot emphasize this enough, looking for and applying to new jobs should NEVER be done at work unless you are in a group being laid off, given additional time before it happens, and have been given explicit permission to do so.

    Third, like others, the best thing to do is to study ways to improve yourself. Take classes online that are relevant to your job or industry. If they are costly, make a case for the company to help pay for them, as making yourself a better employee benefits them significantly.

21. AnonymousMay 22,2025 at 4:41PM UTC

    LinkedIn has a ton of learning classes. I do those or coursera.

22. LiliaMay 30,2025 at 10:52PM UTC

    Usually I take new courses.