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Original poster

Regret accepting job offer

40 replies

clearbluesea · 14/06/2022 19:37

But can't back out! It's my dream company but not my dream job so if I did pull out, I'd eventually want to apply for another job there and I don't want to be seen as a flakey candidate (and have my next application binned immediately). I'm already freelancing in that position so it's not a case of anxiety into leaping into the unknown, I just know that I'm signing up to do a job I don't love.

Pros: good money, security, lovely team, great company culture. Cons: Long hours, super stressful and the main one - I'm not doing what I love! Have I messed things up by accepting this job??!

Would love to hear some success stories from people who have gone into jobs they initially regretted/weren't passionate about!

OP posts:
Queenoftheashes · 14/06/2022 19:44

If it’s your dream company this is just a foot in the door

limitededitionbarbie · 14/06/2022 20:01

I did this. I hated the role. Hated the stress. It was hard to move out of the role as I was pretty good at the one I'd accepted.

I ended up going back to my safe, boring, old job after 18 months.

I'm so glad I did. It was right to take the role I didn't like but couldn't have known until I'd been there and get more experience in different areas which was essentially the same job.

Sometimes a change is good as a rest.
It was for me.

I ended up back at my old role with the changes and package I'd originally wanted, been refused and left because of that. Im back now and I think it's been good for everyone that I had this time out and away. It's made me appreciate them and them appreciate me.

Im really happy now with work.

ChipsRoastOrBoiled · 14/06/2022 20:04

Can you use it as a stepping stone to your dream job? You'll have your foot in the door with a company you want to work for. It's a start!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Jobs
girlmom21 · 14/06/2022 20:06

Yeah once you're in the door you can move in to the role you want. You'd be mad to pull out - especially if you're currently freelancing and could do with the security

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 14/06/2022 20:06

How can it have a great culture if it’s long hours?

Isn’t this presenteeism? Not the mark of a good culture l’d say.

Original poster
clearbluesea · 14/06/2022 20:12

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 14/06/2022 20:06

How can it have a great culture if it’s long hours?

Isn’t this presenteeism? Not the mark of a good culture l’d say.

It's a great company in that everyone really cares about what they're doing and are really good at their jobs so I would be learning from the best. Beyond the long hours, there's a community feeling to the company, but yes long hours are crap.

OP posts:
Original poster
clearbluesea · 14/06/2022 20:13

ChipsRoastOrBoiled · 14/06/2022 20:04

Can you use it as a stepping stone to your dream job? You'll have your foot in the door with a company you want to work for. It's a start!

Definitely a stepping stone although I'm already full of dread at doing this job full time (have been part time so far) so not sure how long I will last!

OP posts:
Original poster
clearbluesea · 14/06/2022 20:14

girlmom21 · 14/06/2022 20:06

Yeah once you're in the door you can move in to the role you want. You'd be mad to pull out - especially if you're currently freelancing and could do with the security

Yes, the security is a big draw!

limitededitionbarbie - glad it all worked out for you!

OP posts:
Calmdown14 · 14/06/2022 20:29

You may find full time isn't as bad as you fear. Depending on the nature of the role (and assuming it's not something like nursing!) you rarely double the workload when doubling hours.

Original poster
clearbluesea · 14/06/2022 20:45

I think it might have to do with my WFH and being freelance for the past 2 years, which I have enjoyed. Going back to the office is going to be a shock to the system! I love being able to go to a cafe and work outside when it's sunny.

OP posts:
ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 14/06/2022 20:53

It's a great company in that everyone really cares about what they're doing and are really good at their jobs so I would be learning from the best. Beyond the long hours, there's a community feeling to the company, but yes long hours are crap

It maybe all those things. But if it’s hanging on to long hours then it’s not foward looking. And it’s treating its employees like crap, where’s the home/work life balance? Sounds competitive and macho to me.

Sallypally0 · 14/06/2022 21:28

how long is long?

NeverDropYourMooncup · 14/06/2022 22:08

Can you view it as a step you need to go through in order to get the best of both worlds?

I took the first job I could when I needed security - I didn't love it, but the security it provided gave me the breathing space (and the opportunity to impress) to move sideways and up to something that suits me far more. Took me two years, but it's definitely been worth it in the end, as I've still got so much more I can achieve both within the organisation and, if the time comes, further afield.

Original poster
clearbluesea · 14/06/2022 22:14

NeverDropYourMooncup · 14/06/2022 22:08

Can you view it as a step you need to go through in order to get the best of both worlds?

I took the first job I could when I needed security - I didn't love it, but the security it provided gave me the breathing space (and the opportunity to impress) to move sideways and up to something that suits me far more. Took me two years, but it's definitely been worth it in the end, as I've still got so much more I can achieve both within the organisation and, if the time comes, further afield.

I am trying hard to see it that way and really that is why I took it as I am hoping eventually it will be. But it's tough to give up on what I really want to do even if it's just for a year as I'm worried I might get sidetracked.

OP posts:
HikingforScenery · 14/06/2022 22:15

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 14/06/2022 20:06

How can it have a great culture if it’s long hours?

Isn’t this presenteeism? Not the mark of a good culture l’d say.

This!
Long hours and “super stress” doesn’t give good culture vibes

Original poster
clearbluesea · 14/06/2022 23:23

HikingforScenery · 14/06/2022 22:15

This!
Long hours and “super stress” doesn’t give good culture vibes

Show quote history

You're probably right! The people are lovely though.

OP posts:
BackOnTheBandWagon · 14/06/2022 23:35

If it's your dream company then stick with it. Short term pain for long term gain.

I did this but with sector rather than company - took a job that I could use my existing skills for, with a pay cut, but a foot in the door of the industry I really wanted to be in. Ten years later I'm in a senior position doing the type of job I love, in the sector I always wanted to work in.

Original poster
clearbluesea · 14/06/2022 23:43

Glad to hear it, BackOnTheBandWagon! Just dreading the short term pain but hoping there will be a light at the end of the tunnel.

OP posts:
Original poster
clearbluesea · 15/06/2022 09:02

Thinking of pulling out - that would be a bad idea, right?

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 15/06/2022 09:14

clearbluesea · 15/06/2022 09:02

Thinking of pulling out - that would be a bad idea, right?

Don't pull out. What's the benefit of pulling out? You said in your OP it's your dream company and pulling out will make you look flakey.

Original poster
clearbluesea · 15/06/2022 09:46

The benefit - no stress and panicky feelings. My boss is lovely so I think he would understand. HR though probably not, it might hurt my chances of getting another job there.

OP posts:
ChicCroissant · 15/06/2022 10:12

OP, do you have similar feelings about other decisions you make? If you are going from part-time to full-time then it may take you outside your comfort zone until you get used to it, if you are planning to wait until your dream job turns up in your dream company (and you've just knocked the dream company back anyway) I think that's a little unrealistic tbh.

Original poster
clearbluesea · 15/06/2022 11:01

I do! I'm hate making decisions and spend a lot of time going back and forth trying to work out what I actually want. Usually when I decide, I do have a tendency to change my mind. Would love to not be like this - it's exhausting!

I think you're right - it could also be down to my fear of change. Like you said dream job in dream company might never come up.

OP posts:
fruitbrewhaha · 15/06/2022 11:06

Just go for it. ONce you have your feet under the table negotiate a WFH day every week or maybe more. DO you really have to work long hours or is it the weird myth that people who stay late are more productive? I think there's been studies showing that people who clock in and out on time do just as much work. Is there a possibility to make changes in this regard?

Original poster
clearbluesea · 15/06/2022 11:10

Sadly, I do have to work long hours. It's not long hours for the sake of it, it's long hours because there's work to do!

OP posts: