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Not sure if new job is right for me?
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
in Work & Study
I'll be getting up for day 4 soon and I'm feeling a bit like this new job isn't for me.
Since all I've done so far is shadow and had a go at a few emails myself I'm finding myself pretty bored and like there's no way I could do anything worthwhile here or feel like its worthwhile to me personally.
It also seems pretty jarring to who I am and me as a person but I guess that's because my entire working career has been one thing and now I'm in a completely different environment.
I know it's pretty stupid to judge a job on less than a week considering there's no real stand out issues, but did anyone else feel like this going into a completely different workload, something you've never done before?
Since all I've done so far is shadow and had a go at a few emails myself I'm finding myself pretty bored and like there's no way I could do anything worthwhile here or feel like its worthwhile to me personally.
It also seems pretty jarring to who I am and me as a person but I guess that's because my entire working career has been one thing and now I'm in a completely different environment.
I know it's pretty stupid to judge a job on less than a week considering there's no real stand out issues, but did anyone else feel like this going into a completely different workload, something you've never done before?
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I just wanted to drop in and say I've been following your story from Costa to temp job and I have an enormous amount of admiration for you. Taking this kind of leap of faith is gutsy and you've built up a heap of experience in the process - you've learned to grapple with slippery recruitment agencies, you've dealt with not hearing back from application processes and you've got through a two-step interview process. All of that takes a lot of energy and persistence and so you should feel proud.
Now that you've landed, it sounds like you're feeling quite a sense of urgency and are having doubts already. Can you tell us a bit more about what you're finding jarring? You've clearly got quite a good awareness to recognise that it might just be the shift in environment that's leading to these thoughts, but that's not to say there might not be some truth in your feelings that's worth exploring...
I can definitely remember a feeling of weariness when I started my first office job going from retail. I think I expected it to be immediately more challenging and exciting and in those first few months, it was all a bit mundane. However, what I learned quite quickly is that if I wanted to be given more challenges, or even just earn the right to express the need to be stretched, I needed to prove my general workplace abilities in the first place - so that means getting on well with the team and acclimatising to their working practice, doing tasks really well and to deadline and showing initiative in even the most straightforward things and generally just showing an interest in areas that were beyond my scope.
As you say, it's just the first week and it's totally normal to be feeling this jitters, perhaps aim to revisit your feelings at regular intervals - so maybe again after your first month, then three months. At that point, you'll really know better where you stand.
Again, congrats on getting to this stage - really brave. :thumb:
You say all you've done so far is shadow. It seems unlikely that will last too long otherwise it's a waste of time and money them employing you. How do you find the atmosphere and the people? I'd expect it to be difficult moving to something new, even if it doesn't last very long you're starting as the new girl who doesn't know how to do anything - I'd expect any civilised employer to go a bit gentle in the first couple of weeks while you learn the ropes.
I guess one of the questions to ask yourself is can you see anything in the future of the role that appeals? E.g. If you became the person doing the role you're currently shadowing?
I am definitely gonna just give it time, get through the training etc. Most of the others have been in the team less than a year, one guy started in November and he's already off on his own doing his own thing. The job is also a 6 month contract so I guess that's good for me and the company if it doesn't work out. 6 months isn't very long.
All my training sessions were put in the calendar today and I'm not properly starting them for another 4 weeks although I will be shadowing etc til then. It's just frustrating as I'm finding myself quite bored to be honest, and I'm soooo used to running around like a headless chicken, quick half hour lunch, shove food in your mouth, another hectic 5 hours to go...... That was one of the reasons I looked elsewhere.
Another problem is I tend to worry. Right now I'm worried that if I don't enjoy it or feel its right for me after the 6 months that it will all have been a huuuuuge waste of time. Not really for me, but for the company wasting their time and money on me and then I'll piss them off.
Have you thought about taking advantage of having some more time and energy left at the end of the day? Sorting through photos on cameras/ Facebook.ngetting some up on the wall, printed, in frames. Clearing out your wardrobe. Stuff you never got round to because you we're shattered.
This!
Agree also that there isn't waste either side.
Whether or not this is the career for me remains to be seen but I going to worry about that after Ive had proper training and away with it all
- list jobs or types of jobs i would be interested in doing
- work out my own minimum salary i would like to earn to be able to be independent. Independence is a big big big thing for me so if a job cant support me in that then i dont think its for me
- Research!
What are the hours like? Any flexibility?
How much freedom is there? Can i pretty much run my own day or am i under lock and key for 8 hours?
The environment - Ive already learned that the physical space you're working in is very important
Is there anywhere I can do some work experience/shadowing/talk to somebody in this field to get a first hand opinion
Opportunity to get a evening or Saturday job for a while before i quit and commit myself.
Like I say I am going to try and stick this out until ive worked in the 'real' job for a while to see what its really like and if i end up liking it, so be it, but i really dont think this environment is right for me.
Im feeling quite frustrated as Im so desperate to move out somewhere and get my life started and i thought this could be the breakthrough i need but will just have to wait and see and in the meantime, hopefully get an idea of what else i can do.
Would love to hear opinions on this!
Good organisation and knowing what you want are so key when it comes to choosing the right job, and you seem to be on the case.
Sticking this job out a little longer sounds like a good idea too; first impressions can sometimes be misleading, so it can be helpful to spend some time getting to know the role/environment/people etc.
What is it about the environment of your new job that you don't like?
Again, still not sure about this as a long term thing, I dont think sitting down and staring at a screen all day suits but its bearable to at least work out my contract/until i find something else
Hmmm, I'm not sure that they are...
It sounds like a bit of a revelation to you that moving jobs hasn't necessarily improved your life as much as you hoped it would, yet it's also worth noting that you are actually taking one of the steps you've needed to take to get to a point where your life path will feel much, much better. These things tend to be a process rather than an overnight change.
I guess one of the tasks for you going forward could be to try and recognise how the experience you gain in this job could be used as a stepping stone to get you to the next part of your career?
For example, you could start looking at job ads to see whether you're learning new skills that can be taken elsewhere - perhaps to a company or organisation that you feel really motivated to work for?
It is disappointing when you're yearning for a significant change and there's no light-bulb moment. But that's not to say you won't ever get it in the workplace - it's just about gaining more awareness about what's out there that will really motivate you on a daily basis.
I wonder if it's worth starting a thread asking people - 'Is your job just a job?' what do you reckon?
One of the things about this that I do know is good for me is that I'm getting IT and computer and skills which will boost my cv a lot for future jobs, I'm using specific software and excel a lot.
I have been looking online and taking tests and stuff so I can research careers but nothing that's come up has really jumped at me.
When it does though I want to fine someone who works in that industry to give me a frank day to day guide to what its really like. Companies and job descriptions never really tell you everything you need to know
I know I've said all this before but just needed to vent
Precisely what is it that you don't like?
Being bored can be frustrating - but I'd be surprised if there's really nothing you could be doing. They may be making an effort not to overload you while you're still pretty new. Have you fed back to your supervisor that you're feeling like you could be doing more?
Now that Im here Ive realised that Im not a corporate, financial, business minded person, and although Im working in the service team, thats what it all boils down to. And the fact that Im sat staring at the same screen aaalllll day, working only with the 6 other people that are in my department.
My manager will be going on maternity leave in about a month which Im a bit glad about as she scares me a bit, but Ive met the new lady and she's lovely. I did mention that Im not sure where Ill be going with the job as I cant make a fair judgment having not learnt everything yet but havent mentioned anything more.
I just want to get to a point where I know enough to be independent in my work before i can be fair and objective about it all.
I have a bit of a gut feeling though that this type of work and environment isnt for me, especially not to be doing for more than 6 months to a year, and this might be just me but I always find a gut feeling is usually right.
I'm feeling so put down and I'm tempted to not even bother anymore because I get no thanks in return.
I definitely know I don't want to stay much longer but I don't know if I should wait for the end of my contract to get a good block of time on my cv or start looking now after 2months. I just don't want to be here anymore.
I have 15 minutes of my lunch left so ill just go and cry in my car
1.Good location/area
2.Good team
3.Good boss.
I told him the reason I didn't want to move on was because of those 3 things. We have a good area, we're all mates and my boss is awesome. It helps me to forget all the shit I have to deal with on a daily basis. I think when you're looking for something else, bear those 3 things in mind. If you can get at least a good team or a good boss you'll be laughing, and it sounds like you're awaiting the arrival of the good boss, so things might get better for you.
Please, please, please give it time. I've had jobs that I've hated within the first few weeks. I've had a boss who put me down about anything but as soon as she realised that wasn't going to wash with me, the tables turned and she was coming to me fit advice.
I would dream of work when I'd first started, and constantly wonder if I was doing ok. But after a couple of months, and getting into the swing of things, I loved every single one and only left due to location or lack of pennies.
Just give it a chance, if only for your CVs benefit
It seems to me that alot of people (not on here) are trying to lean me more towards accepting my fate and sticking with it just because 'you'll need more training for that job' or 'everyone does a job they hate and they stick with it because thats just what you do'. I dont think i can accept just sticking at a job because other people do.
There is a Learning and Development department at work which ties in with my teaching qualification so I might ask to shadow them for a bit, if just so i can see what work in that sector looks like.
I think this sounds like a really great idea.
If your team manager isn't keen for you to do this in work time, organising a coffee with someone from the Learning and Development department on a break or lunch time can be a great opportunity to find out a bit more about what they do and the journey they took to get that role.
I agree with you Lexi, for me I also want to be proud of what I do and feel like I am making a difference. The route to getting 'that' job can be really interesting and it's important to try to remember that all the jobs along the way can give us new skills, friends and may open up new opportunities or networks.
You said you don't care about business or insurance, do you have any areas in mind that you would be interested in working in?
I hope the long weekend gave you a nice break and that this week is a better one.
I have spoken to my manager about getting the shadowing set up but if it doesnt happen, I will just contact someone directly and take them out for coffee.
Ive job searched a little bit and actually found a couple of jobs I like the sound of. One is an events coordinator for the local uni, and one is working in learning and development for a school and getting involved in duke of Edinburgh (even though i havent done it myself)
Everytime i think about applying, getting time off for interviews (how am I supposed to do that in a 9-5 job) and potentially handing in my notice, i suddenly get really really anxious, knotted stomach, and have had what I believe to be close to panic attacks recently. Im also anxious about making this change again and not enjoying the next one either and being stuck in the same position, so all of this is stalling me from actually making any progress.
It's great that you have spoken to your manager! I hope that you are able to shadow and find out a bit more from the learning and development team.
Although searching for jobs whilst in a job is hard work and nerve racking (and not without it's own issues, as you mentioned getting time off for interviews etc) it is the best position to be in as it keeps the pennies coming in whilst you explore what it is you want to be doing.
Try to take it step by step, find the time after work to apply for anything you are interested in and see what happens...
If it comes to an interview I imagine lot's of people on here have tips they can share with you about getting time off for interviews. Try not to worry about handing your notice in, if and when you need to do this I am sure your company will have a procedure in place. Often you can do this in writing initially which can take some of the pressure off. There are lots of great tips in our article 'Giving Notice'.
You are making progress already, exploring your options and sussing out what you are interested in are all steps in the right direction. Unfortunately we can never guarantee the next job is going to be the perfect one but it might be a job on the way to your dream job. It could open up new idea's about the direction you may want to go and lot's of other opportunities long the way.
Good luck and keep us posted on how you are getting on