Leaving a job after a short time?

[BeBe32]

Hi everyone

I have a dilemma and just don't know what to do. I'd love to hear if anyone has been in a similar position or just hear what you think. I started working at a university a few years ago. I loved my job and the people I worked with. The department I worked in was quite small and there was no real potential for progressing so I started to think that I would need to look for a better paid job as I needed to earn more and also wanted to progress. I started looking out for other jobs at the uni at the end of last year and completely unexpectedly got the first one I went for. I was so sad to leave my job but knew I was doing it for the right reasons. I started in my new department in February. I have found it really difficult, I feel out of depth and even though the people are nice I don't feel I fit in and really miss my old department. I have just found out that there may be a new role created in my old department which would be the same salary as I am on now. On the one hand I would love to go back. I loved it there and was so much happier and if I hadn't left when I did I would have definitely gone for this new role. The trouble is I think it looks really bad, if I were to get it, to leave a job after only a few months (made worse my the fact that my notice period is quite long so would have to work a longer notice period than the length of time I've been there - with everyone thinking I hate it there!) . Also I worry that it would be awkward working with that department in the future or if in years to come I ever decided to look for a job in that department again (I want to stay at the uni in the long term and the department is one of the biggest so in years to come this could happen). I have been so stressed and unhappy lately and I would love to go back to my old department and colleagues but feel like it might make me really unpopular, it would be easier if I was going to a completely different organisation, at least I'd never have to see them again after I'd left!

Any advice welcome

xxx

[mammasmadhouse]

BeBe32 I left my job to work in another area, it turned out new area had recruited my role too early on in the project and I had nothing to do, I was still in the probationary period, spoke to my old boss and went back to my old dept. I think I was the one who felt awkward, my old dept were glad to have me back. Soon enough it was like I had never left. Is the new role working for the same manager as you worked for before? Could you arrange to meet with them over a coffee to sound them out about applying..? At the end of the day you have nothing to lose by applying.

[blueshoes]

Are you sure you have a long notice period. You might very well still be in a probationary period with a reduced notice period. You might very well burn your bridges with your current department.

Are you able to sound out your old department in a discreet way whether it is worth it to apply for the new role? You want to be sure they want you back and have a decent shot at the role before applying.

[BeBe32]

Thank you both for your advice. The new job would be working for the same manager as before. All they've said at the moment is that obviously they have to go through the usual application procedure etc and obviously they can't guarantee I would get it (one manager has mentioned to a friend of mine that still works there about whether she thought I would consider coming back).

Burning my bridges is what I'm worried about, several years down the line it's not completely impossible that I might want to move into a different area of the university and I worry that this would be remembered - that they would think 'oh she was the one who came for a couple of months and then left us in mess' and this would go against me.

mammasmadhouse I'm so glad it worked out for you. I wish I had nothing to do and then that could be my excuse. Instead it's going to be obvious that I just don't like it and it would look terrible! I have no idea how I would begin to explain to my manager that I would want to leave!

xxx

[BeBe32]

I have checked and it looks like the notice period wouldn't be as long as I am in the probation period - that hadn't occurred to me so thanks for pointing it out.

Still not sure about future implications and what would be the best thing to do but good to know!

x