So unhappy in my job

[BeBe32]

I have worked in an organisation (a university) for the last few years. When I started there I was so happy, lovely job, lovely people - the happiest I've ever been in a job. About 6 months ago I started a new job in a different department at the same university and I am now so unhappy. I don't feel I fit in, I don't feel I'm great at the job and if I do something wrong people have had a massive go at me (this happened last week and I ended up in tears). It feels very pressured and very stressful, when I'm not in work I worry about it all the time. I'm dreading everyday at the moment.

The problem is I don't know what to do, I feel trapped. I don't want to go on like this. I loved working at the university before so in a way I don't want to leave altogether but there don't seem to be hardly any jobs coming up at the moment. If I did leave I don't know where else I could go, I'm in quite a smallish town, no other universities and I don't know what else I could do. I don't know what sort of advice I'm looking for really, it just helps to get it out I suppose - would also be nice to hear of anyone else who was in a similar position and got out, it would be good to know things can get better!

xx

[EBearhug]

When I worked in a university, staff could use the careers service - have you asked them?

[PippaFawcett]

Is there any way you could go back to your old role?

[BeBe32]

Thank you for your replies. A new job came up in my old department and they encouraged me to go for it which I did but I didn't get it so I can't go back to my old department unfortunately. There isn't a careers service for staff where I work. I feel so miserable and it feels like there's no way out.

[Longdistance]

Go to docs to get time off for stress. I did this, and it put me in a different frame of mind when I was off, as could concentrate better, and switch off from it all.

Maybe look for a new job in the mean time, whilst off with stress.

[BeBe32]

It's incredibly tempting to be signed off but realistically I don't think I be able to find something else in that time, there doesn't seem to be much else going and I'm so anxious about work and feel like everyone hates me, I think I would find it impossible to switch off and just worry about going back,

[EBearhug]

Did you ask your old department for feedback on why you didn't get it? Is there anyone in that department you can talk to about better ways of handling the situation in your current department?

[BeBe32]

They don't give feedback generally so I didn't ask, I think they gave it to someone who already had experience in that specific role but somewhere else. I have spoken to my manager this week because I just couldn't cope but to be honest I don't think it will make much difference. I keep getting told that that is how it is, the workload and pressure is huge, everyone works really long hours and that's seen as the norm. I feel so down, I dread every day.