Leaving a job quite soon after joining
Discussion
Hi,
I've been in my role for about 7 months. I was in the public sector for 16 years as a Police Officer and this new role is a huge amount more money (due to private sector and some good skills I have).
It's not that difficult to be honest - sometimes stressful but mostly just frustrating.
I've been feeling really disheartened by the whole thing since joining and I outlined some of this on another thread. My main issues are:
Have any of you looked elsewhere after just 7 months in a job? What was it that prompted you to do that rather than just getting on with it? I am not sure I am unhappy, but I am definitely not content and feel frustrated and annoyed most of the time.
Thanks for listening!
I've been in my role for about 7 months. I was in the public sector for 16 years as a Police Officer and this new role is a huge amount more money (due to private sector and some good skills I have).
It's not that difficult to be honest - sometimes stressful but mostly just frustrating.
I've been feeling really disheartened by the whole thing since joining and I outlined some of this on another thread. My main issues are:
- I am the only one in the whole of Europe doing my job. This means that I have no support, no comradarie, no help with clients based in this region
- There is no real team dynamic. I have in the past put messages in our teams channel (14 of us in there) and not got any reply
- I work from home 100% which is fine. However, as I'm the ONLY one in Europe and there is no UK office, I just lack any social aspect. I have no outlet, I can't pop into the office and just be around people, and similarly, I can't speak to a colleague during the day about anything - e.g. even just a "how's it going?"
- Some parts of how the company operate really frustrate me. Can't really go into detail as it's too hard to explain - I know other companies are similar probably
- I am not managing anyone and I miss this aspect of my old job. (side issue)
Have any of you looked elsewhere after just 7 months in a job? What was it that prompted you to do that rather than just getting on with it? I am not sure I am unhappy, but I am definitely not content and feel frustrated and annoyed most of the time.
Thanks for listening!
Sounds like a bit of a golden birdcage. Fully remote, no team, no significant pressure.
After 16 years though of working in a close knit team - sounds like you miss a lot of the positive of working in a group
My question is what will be different in a years time ? Will the experience give you other better options ? What happens if you look for them now ?
If you don't think anything in your current role will change in the next 12 months then why stay - you don't have to jump at the next job and having no pressure on to find something might mean you can think more carefully about what you really want.
This is quite a typical experience for people who are a bit culturally adapted to their jobs. (we used to call it institutionalised) but it happens in the private sector too, places like ICI, IBM, Banks and a few others, where people worked 20 - 25 years, they'd move on, but in their head they kept comparing it to the last place. Its a bit of a mindtrap and very easily done. Can sometime take a few attempts before people find something that challenges them in a similar way.
Good luck
Ryyy said:
^^life's too short to work jobs you don't like.
It's not like it's been 7 days and you might just need to settle in, it's 7 months.
Yep sounds like you've given it a crack and if there's no sign of improvement I'd start looking elsewhere. It's not like it's been 7 days and you might just need to settle in, it's 7 months.
Staying for 7 months on your CV wouldn't bother me, especially after many years in the cops. It's not like you're someone who's been job hopping every few months.
Thanks everyone - I really appreciate the well thought out responses and encouragement. It makes a big difference in trying to get thing straight in my head.
I like the phrase "golden birdcage". I have a lot of freedom, can go to the gym, watch tv, study, sleep etc as I am able to balance my work, as long as it's not deadline driven - so if it's just general meetings, reports, analysis stuff I can schedule it how I want which is good.
You're right about the group working. I'd never expected to miss it so much. My last team in the Police I had been in for 8 years and was head of the team. They were all pretty much my friends and it never felt like work most of the time, it was just fun. I don't regret leaving as my career just took a different turn and I massively outgrew the job.
As I said, it's just that team ethic I miss. Even if it's just someone empathising with me but mostly it's just being left to do things on my own all the time with no support and no one to "bounce" ideas of.
I am going to update my CV today and tomorrow. I always keep an eye on jobs - interesting just to see how the industry moves - but will start to look at ones which may be suitable.
Thanks agaion
Gargamel said:
Sounds like a bit of a golden birdcage. Fully remote, no team, no significant pressure.
After 16 years though of working in a close knit team - sounds like you miss a lot of the positive of working in a group
My question is what will be different in a years time ? Will the experience give you other better options ? What happens if you look for them now ?
we used to call it institutionalised
#After 16 years though of working in a close knit team - sounds like you miss a lot of the positive of working in a group
My question is what will be different in a years time ? Will the experience give you other better options ? What happens if you look for them now ?
we used to call it institutionalised
I like the phrase "golden birdcage". I have a lot of freedom, can go to the gym, watch tv, study, sleep etc as I am able to balance my work, as long as it's not deadline driven - so if it's just general meetings, reports, analysis stuff I can schedule it how I want which is good.
You're right about the group working. I'd never expected to miss it so much. My last team in the Police I had been in for 8 years and was head of the team. They were all pretty much my friends and it never felt like work most of the time, it was just fun. I don't regret leaving as my career just took a different turn and I massively outgrew the job.
As I said, it's just that team ethic I miss. Even if it's just someone empathising with me but mostly it's just being left to do things on my own all the time with no support and no one to "bounce" ideas of.
I am going to update my CV today and tomorrow. I always keep an eye on jobs - interesting just to see how the industry moves - but will start to look at ones which may be suitable.
Thanks agaion
Walked out of a contract,not really a job as I'm self employed,after a few hours, client's supervisor didn't say good morning amongst a few other indicators which led me to believe we'd fall out sooner or later so sooner the better!
Imho sounds like you could do with taking a step back n relaxing,seems like it's pretty much upto you how jobs run,so make it suit yourself?
However if your really unhappy and can't see a way to alter the situation, nothing wrong with saying it wasn't working out when asked why you left?
Imho sounds like you could do with taking a step back n relaxing,seems like it's pretty much upto you how jobs run,so make it suit yourself?
However if your really unhappy and can't see a way to alter the situation, nothing wrong with saying it wasn't working out when asked why you left?
Some great insights already shared. If I can only sort of echo what has been said, in that it’s not unusual to not find a great fit first time out of a long served industry, so I wouldn’t worry about it at all.
The fact that you secured this role in the first place after such a long time in your previous industry should give you continued confidence you’ll be able to replicate this, but in a more considered role having learnt what you just have about yourself in this role. To be honest, by the time you’ve done your research on potential new industries/roles, redrafted your CV in support and begun the job search, you’ll easily be in to 12 months in this role, which isn’t shabby at all. Good luck! And keep us posted on any developments; it’s of huge interest to many of us!
The fact that you secured this role in the first place after such a long time in your previous industry should give you continued confidence you’ll be able to replicate this, but in a more considered role having learnt what you just have about yourself in this role. To be honest, by the time you’ve done your research on potential new industries/roles, redrafted your CV in support and begun the job search, you’ll easily be in to 12 months in this role, which isn’t shabby at all. Good luck! And keep us posted on any developments; it’s of huge interest to many of us!
I left a perm job with a large U.K. org after six months. Was supposed to be fairly senior but it was crap and the org itself was just dire. Intended to stick it out for a year but at six months in I decided life is too short and found something else. Had to pay back my starter bonus too, was worth it!
If you have options then just get out IMO
If you have options then just get out IMO
you don’t state your role, but many companies (that can be) are very much remote now - so choose your next role carefully if office working or smaller/local team is your thing
I’ve worked full time from home for over ten years(it nerd), only ever going onsite for kickoff meetings or whiteboard/design sessions - but since the pandemic that’s all remote now.
Employers like it because it saves expenses and customers seem pretty happy with it too.
We do have a “standup” (meeting) every morning for 15-30 mins - so we know what everyone is doing, and for those that want to natter - you can join the call before 9am and talk about anything you like (cooler chat if you like)
we also have an “off-topic” chat thread for general, less work related stuff - but still needs to remain professional and respectful.
Golden birdcage is a good term!
I’ve worked full time from home for over ten years(it nerd), only ever going onsite for kickoff meetings or whiteboard/design sessions - but since the pandemic that’s all remote now.
Employers like it because it saves expenses and customers seem pretty happy with it too.
We do have a “standup” (meeting) every morning for 15-30 mins - so we know what everyone is doing, and for those that want to natter - you can join the call before 9am and talk about anything you like (cooler chat if you like)
we also have an “off-topic” chat thread for general, less work related stuff - but still needs to remain professional and respectful.
Golden birdcage is a good term!
7 month! I’ve left a job in the second week before once I realised how bad it was going to be. I also stayed in a job for over 4 years when I know I didn’t want to stay there within the first week. Life is too short to work s
t jobs, you don’t like and what will put a strain on other aspects of personal life and relationships with others
t jobs, you don’t like and what will put a strain on other aspects of personal life and relationships with othersI pulled the pin on a job within my probation period at 6 months (leaving at 9 months).
When asked at what point I knew it wasn’t right, I always answer honestly: lunchtime on day one.
While I never say never, h’ll will have to be pretty chilly before I try the public sector again. Sheesh.
Life’s too short. Find something else to do. And bank the cash in the meantime (I took a 25k pay cut on leaving that job).
When asked at what point I knew it wasn’t right, I always answer honestly: lunchtime on day one.
While I never say never, h’ll will have to be pretty chilly before I try the public sector again. Sheesh.
Life’s too short. Find something else to do. And bank the cash in the meantime (I took a 25k pay cut on leaving that job).
Slowboathome said:
It's 7 months now but it may be a few more before you've secured a job you'd prefer.
I only get twitchy if there's a pattern of job-hopping on a candidate's application.
Plus worked notice period so could be a year on a CV I only get twitchy if there's a pattern of job-hopping on a candidate's application.
OP if you’re not happy just go for something else. If you’re asked about the time in an interview just be honest about it so they don’t think you’re a probation fail
Hi OP, it sounds like you might be missing a bunch of the social interaction you would normally get from being part of a team, be that in an office or WFH. Would it be worth considering spending a day or 2 a week renting a desk in one of those serviced office facilities? At least you would be around people who you could shot the breeze with at the water dispenser!
6 weeks ago I left a job that only did for 6 months.
I’ve spent my entire career working on bespoke 1 off project based stuff, but this role within the automotive industry came up and appeared to be a good fit for me.
I was working with a cracking team of people, the company was decent and I had no complaints at all, but the automotive industry just didn’t suit me at all and massively frustrated me.
I’m pleased I gave it a try and I learnt a thing or 2 during my short period there and left the company with a good impression of me and in excellent terms. But I couldn’t have continued working there.
I’m now, 6 weeks in to a new job at a new company working on bespoke projects again and I am really happy.
I’ve spent my entire career working on bespoke 1 off project based stuff, but this role within the automotive industry came up and appeared to be a good fit for me.
I was working with a cracking team of people, the company was decent and I had no complaints at all, but the automotive industry just didn’t suit me at all and massively frustrated me.
I’m pleased I gave it a try and I learnt a thing or 2 during my short period there and left the company with a good impression of me and in excellent terms. But I couldn’t have continued working there.
I’m now, 6 weeks in to a new job at a new company working on bespoke projects again and I am really happy.
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