Six months at my new job and still hating it - time to leave?

[waitsforyou]

I started a new job 6 months ago. I'm in my 20s and it's my first job in the field I have wanted to go in since university (it's in PR/advertising).

I took to the actual job quite easily and quickly, I started my first client work on my first week and it received really positive feedback. My line managers tell me I'm above the level expected for someone new to the field/in an entry-level role. I enjoy the work most of the time too, there's a few boring admin tasks but the bulk of it is good - allows me to be creative and meticulous.

But I'm finding the company culture really difficult. It's quite a young and buzzy culture, very sociable and laid back which I think would suit most people in their 20s but I'm very reserved and quiet. There are lots of drinks after work and it is frowned upon if you don't go. I've forced myself to go to most of these but I just struggle to fit in, I don't have much in common with any of them and we just don't click.

It's been a bit of a workplace culture shock as my previous job was very different. There were a lot more obvious boundaries and I guess some micro-management by my previous manager.

I don't know what to do. I like the work itself but hate the other aspects but I feel like all the other jobs in this kind of field are likely to be the same.

I think 6 months is definitely long enough to know if it's for you, never any point hanging on if you're not happy!

I presume you're at an agency in your current role? Would you consider client-side instead? As a bit of a generalisation, agencies do tend to have that sort of culture, whereas if you're client-side it depends more on the culture of the individual organisation.

I knew I wasnt a fit for my last place after about 3 months. Was 100% after 6 months but in the end I lasted 12 months...

I know what you mean about the culture that was the issue for me too, there is no harm in looking for something else and hopefully youll find something you feel a better fit for soon

Ok I’m in this industry. Yes it’s part of it but the culture is changing but the reality is it’s changing slowly. Also I would say as a whole agencies are trying to be more inclusive. Generally speaking digital will be less like this, alt will be more like it. Maybe consider going client side?

What about starting a book club?

I feel for you, but it is very much part of the culture to be extroverted/always out in PR and advertising. You have a couple of options though.

You can look for somewhere else but do it through your contacts where you might find somewhere that's a better fit for you.

You could go to a bigger agency, where the law of averages means its likely there will be more people to pick and choose from.

You can start speaking up about what you need to flourish and do your work - there's lots of resources around about introversion vs extroversion and how important both are to the workplace (I'm aware I'm oversimplifying by saying introvert vs extrovert here).

Or you plough on for a few years then go freelance, where you get to use the skills without any of the workplace nonsense.

Or go client side, that's a good idea - but you might need another year and a half agency side.

I've had a look for in house roles but there's not much out there as I'm in a niche area, I'll keep looking though

My current agency is a big agency, I didn't know this at the time when applying. We have a big swishy London office and I feel weirdly out of place and uncomfortable there, like I don't belong. There's an agency near me with a small office and I'm wondering if I might be happier in a smaller company?