Trying to get back in the career game so frustrating

[BeakyMinder]

I'm in the first year of a new job - previously spent a few years balancing DCs and freelancing, so this was an opportunity to get back onto the career ladder. I'm ambitious but already so frustrated. I'm arguably overqualified for this (like many people, I stepped off the ladder after DCs) but my boss treats me like a kid. No opportunity for promotion unless he leaves or allows me to sidestep him - both unlikely! How long do you think I should stick it out before trying my luck elsewhere?

[EBearhug]

I went back to work after a career break (travelling, rather than children), and I took a job that got me back into the field. I started looking for new jobs when I'd been there a year. But it did get me back into the field, and meant I could say I had up-to-date experience, so it did the job I wanted from it.

Are there opportunities for training or anything while you're there? We have access to a number of online courses at my place of work, and I'd focus on boosting any skills gaps while doing up my CV.

[Aimey]

I'm a bit like you, moved into a new field. "Managed" by someone 15 years younger who can't manage to come in hangover-free for 2 days running and has far less integrity than I'd like to see in his role....

I'm enjoying the job, but it's not continuing to challenge me, and I owe it to the investment we made in retraining me to move onto bigger/better...

I'm on the verge of looking around. Was going to apply for one thing that came up, but it got pulled (recruitment freeze for that whole organisation). Was swithering about another to apply for better money/good development/shorter hours/maybe less flexi/fixed term for a year..... think that's a wee bit too risky, also an employer (public sector) that is squeezing staff.

I'd keep my eye open for opportunities if I were you... don't let something go by just because you're only just back. It's made me realise how much harder I'm working than many people, and that I'm capable. I can now tick a few boxes I couldn't before (amazing with deadlines!).

[EBearhug]

I'd keep my eye open for opportunities if I were you... don't let something go by just because you're only just back.

That's a good point.

And there would be no harm in updating your LinkedIn profile to include the new job and new skills/experience you've learnt in it, and if recruiters contact you after that, well, so be it.

I think some of it depends on how far into the first year of the job you are - 2 months, 6 months, 11 months... If it's nearly a year, then you might as well get everything ready to go (January can be quite a good time for job hunting - companies with new budgets for the new year, people back from Christmas leave, people making new year resolutions to move on.) If it was just 2 or 3 months, then I'd probably focus on what skills and experience I could get from the job and be prepared to sit it out for a bit longer, while still keeping an eye out for anything that looked really good.

Basically, you're job-hunting while in a job, which means you've got more choice than being unemployed and desperate for income; this means you can take a bit of time to position yourself, fill in skills gaps, and work out what you really want.

[BeakyMinder]

Ok ... I like this idea! And it looks ok on a cv to just stay for a year, you reckon? It's been 15 years since I actually applied for a job, bit out of practice!

[LadyCybilCrawley]

How long have you actually been in the job? You say it's your first year .... The reason I ask is that anything under two years won't look great .... And even though your boss may be a jerk you still need to prove yourself just like anyone else

I'd suck it up and focus on proving your value, adding value above and beyond, winning boss over so he or she advocates for you ... And then after a time you will be able to have a conversation about career advancement

If you are coming across as "I'm over qualified and this job is beneath me" it won't be good - it's the job you have (and be thankful for any people don't have one) - prove yourself and bide your time - and then you can either progress internally or be in a better position to opt to leave

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

I've been back at work about 18 months, before that I was SAHP for 5 years.

Now I'm settled in the job it's not challenging me, and I have a fairly difficult line manager (although get on well with other staff).

I have been keeping an eye on job sites and actually have an interview on Monday for a position that's a bit more interesting. I feel that if I leave now it would look respectable on a CV.

[Muskey]

I am in a similar situation and have been in my new job seven months. I am woefully over qualified and my boss treats me like a second class citizen when he is in the office. The good thing is I only work part time so I don't have to deal with his ego all the time. I have decided to start looking after Christmas if anything takes my fancy then I will apply but will start looking when I have completed a year

[antimatter]

Get your CV ready and start applying.
Each interview is going to be preparation for the next.
Eventually you are going to find something suitable.

[LadyCybilCrawley]

Beaky - am happy to help you if I can - rather than cutting and running it might pay to look at what is frustrating you and see if you can remedy that without leaving - how does he treat you like a kid?

Employment is a relationship and like any other, needs communication - I love it when one of my team comes to talk to me about ways we can improve - it's all in the delivery

So what are you frustrated with?
How does he treat you like a kid?
What would you want to change to make you happy there ?

[BeakyMinder]

If you are coming across as "I'm over qualified and this job is beneath me" it won't be good

Yes this does worry me. I am trying really hard to not come across as chippy and arrogant ...

[BeakyMinder]

It's the micromanagement that does my head in Lady - he is actually a nice man, but he is unable to let the smallest thing go without vetoing or correcting it. It's frustrating and makes us less productive. I'm not the only one who's noticed, in fact I'd only been at the place for a few weeks when new colleagues started to slag him off to me (also not a great sign in a new job!)

[LadyCybilCrawley]

Ok so is there anyway you can use you relative experience and maturity to approach him - could you say "I'd love to be more productive and increase my value to you - you are really busy - is there something I can take off you plate and run with - we can agree the parameters up front And I'll come to you as soon as it falls outside those parameters"

The more blunt "you micromanage and its alienAting your staff" rarely works

Hmm this is quite hard when I don't know your job but hopefully you ca. Interpret what I've said for your own circumstances

[BeakyMinder]

Thanks, lots of food for thought here. So it looks like 1-2 years is ok, reckon I can stick it out for a while longer while tarting up cv. I'm getting some good training here, so it won't be time wasted - only worry is how I handle the frustration without getting demotivated and losing self-confidence really.

Tbh I think I've been lucky to only have good managers until now. Maybe I do need to suck it up and learn how to deal with this one.

[antimatter]

I think if you are getting good training give yourself 3 months to reevaluate if you want to move on.
In 12 weeks time you will have clearer picture of where you want to be and if you are still learning.