Was I stupid to have done this?

[Namechanged4thi5]

I’ve worked in my current sector for 16 years- mid/senior management role

I’m 40 - not sure if it’s relevant but who knows

I’ve worked in my current organisation for 5 years- I’ve always been conscious, team player, went over and above my role. I’m contracted 4 days but have often worked 7 days due to piling work, raised it multiple times but it’s always ‘ it’ll get better’

Over the pandemic it’s been horrendous- more and more piled on to certain staff but not all. The willing ones are exploited- I understand this will be the case in many organisations but there is zero prospects for progression and no acknowledgement what so ever

We went through a change management in the middle of the pandemic and the number of roles in my grade was reduced - had to reapply and go through the interview process and I was successful in securing my role

The work load was increased and the support not sufficient- I ended up being signed off for two weeks due to stress- never happened before

I went back after this and nothing changed- everything was as it was before

The work was repetitive with no respite- it’s not a profit based organisation so finance management is not seen as crucial- mangers can shout loud and get what the day want. It’s very depressing working like this..

So after much thought I decided to hand in my notice, currently serving my notice. I’ve been successful in getting 3 interviews but not been successful- I’m trying to move away from the current sector into the commercial sector- 1st interview feedback was that really good interview but the sector changing is causing a few concerns to them as to if I can hit the ground running-

The other two no feedback yet- I’ve woke up yesterday and had this knot in my stomach‘what if I made a mistake?’ My mental well-being and job satisfaction is not going to pay bills- maybe I should have stuck with it until I had a job…

I’m financially secure but obviously don’t want to dwindle my savings - I’m 40 so not exactly have the time to leisurely figure out my next steps…

Was I really stupid in doing what I did?

Not stupid, no. You're only 40 and have already enough experience behind you to transfer over even if it is gonna be a wallop and you'll need to hit the ground running and keep belting it.

More often than not it's better to jump head first and straight in or you'll talk yourself out of everything and be stuck in the same old same old wondering whether it's worth it every day.

Long time spent at work to be spending it on something you don't like and find stressful enough to make you need time off.

Go for it and good luck.

No, you weren't stupid! Enough's enough.

Whilst applying for new roles, be sure to spread the word to friends, clients, ex-colleagues that you're looking for a new challenge. They may possibly know of an opportunity that would suit you. Are there employment agencies in your area of expertise? Also, make a Plan B for the eventuality that you don't step straight into a new permanent role.

Best of luck - this time next year you'll be looking back and congratulating yourself on getting out!

No, the market is really buoyant in charity finance atm; I took a new role recently, offer made just after 60th Birthday, and current org. is finding it really hard to fill finance roles, so don't be negative about your age. I'm not sure about moving back to commercial sector though.
Charity orgs attitude to finance is probably as diverse as outside the sector - why not look at short term contracts for a bit to help you focus on what you do and don't want?

No you aren't stupid , it is a brave thing to take the plunge. But it is a shock when you've been in the same job to start looking again. It'll work out for the best and then you'll feel really proud of yourself.

Not stupid at all. It's difficult to interview well when your head space is completely overwhelmed by work and you're in a negative frame of mind. You could, always, take on something temporary in a completely different line of work while you look for the right role if you're concerned about savings dwindling.

@Optimist1
@PinniGig
@ThinWomansBrain

Thank you so much for being positive

I’m open for Fixed term/interim/contract/job share or perm roles - pretty flexible

I’m also happy to lead teams, be part of teams or work on my own - done all of these and have been successful

Yes looking at Charity sectors, local government and commercial- also private healthcare

My negatives I suppose are - I DJ t have a network - so don’t have the ability to tap into a ‘hidden job market’

No friends or family in this country - so pretty isolated in that sense

Also I’m yet to fully qualify, I’m working towards it but not there- some see this as a issue

My cv has 16 years solid experience and shows proper career progression but I understand people can be set in what they look for

I know I’m not alone in this and not saying I’m special but this job has really started to dent my confidence and positivity - no matter what solution I come with there ‘always a problem for your solution’

It’s a very clique based place where I know I will not get anywhere - was very clear I’m being seen as a work horse

Are you on your own or married / partner?

In your shoes I would have got signed off and user the time to job hunt and interview

I would not have handed in my notice before finding another

It's done now. Stop worrying. You will be absolutely fine. Eyes on the prize.

Is it worth you considering constructive dismissal against the former job?

@Marmitemarinaded I’m married - husband has a job

I’m taking this as a challenge/problem which I created in some senses and I need to solve - it’s a long story

Yes I could have feigned an illness a d got signed off - but didn’t feel that was the right thing

A). I’ll still be worrying about going back if I’m not successful in finding a role within the time period

B). My mind will always be entrenched in the mess - its taking me weeks even now to ‘look forward away from this role’

This felt a more honest and a clear way out

You're only 40. You'll be working for another almost 30 years, definitely too long to be wasting time in a job that you don't like. You've done the right thing and you'll find something soon enough. In the meantime, enjoy your spare time before you start at a new job.

* Yes I could have feigned an illness a d got signed off - but didn’t feel that was the right thing *

Feigned?
You were signed off before for stress
You returned and the situation hasn’t changed
So why would you be feigning it if you were signed off again?

Are you registered with all the recruitment consultants (Michael Page etc)?

I am an accountant in the private sector, in some companies qualification is important, in others less so. When I am recruiting I'm looking for good experience of the basics. I'm not worried about which systems you have used but I wont to be confident that you understood what you were doing.

Keep pushing, there will be a role for you.

I had to leave a job without another one in March, and it took 4 months to find a short term . You took a gamble. Only you will know whether you have enough cash reserves to weather what could be a lengthy storm between jobs. Its tough out there at the current time.

@Marmitemarinaded sorry I didn’t mean to sound as if you are suggesting to feign an illness

Yes I was signed off for two week a few months back but haven’t had the need of atleast I’ve felt I need to deal with it to go off again. So don’t really have the reason to sign off..that’s what I meant

@GnomeDePlume yes I am - I’m pretty active on linked in and apply for roles everyday

Tailor my cv as per role etc

When I was made redundant I remember being told that it takes roughly 1 month for each month in your previous role to secure a role at your current level. So 5 years will mean 5 months.

Personally I hated contracting but it paid the bills and kept my hand in.

In the mean time can you keep pushing along with getting qualified? In my view while it doesnt indicate what role you are capable of it does mean that you dont get pulled out at the first CV sift. Does your CV indicate that you are active in pursuing qualification?

@Namechanged4thi5 have you thought about working in a University? Mostly good pay/holidays/positive about staff wellbeing etc. Sounds like you have loads of skills but have taken a knock to your confidence. I did similar a few years ago and it worked out well

You sound great OP. And dedicated. I'm sure you'll get something good. Sounds like a very wise move. Good luck 🍀

@GnomeDePlume that’s very interesting- I was not aware of this

Yes actively pursuing now and included this in the cv

@BrownEyedWoman yes, I have alerts set up for a few universities around my travel radius for when jobs come up

@Igmumbthank you - that’s very kind.

I think you've done the right thing.

From what you've said.

I dont you could have stuck with it.
And it would be much harder changing jobs in you 50's than 40's.

So now is a good a time as any.

You did the right thing. You may need to take a step back for a while to be able to take a step forward. I left a job due to stress with no job to go to. Initially I was unsuccessful in my applications for similar roles so I started to apply for roles slightly below my previous level of experience, was immediately successful and then promoted back to the level I was before within 6 months.

Others saying you did the right thing, I agree, well done.
Please do yourself a little favour and stop using the word - stupid - even if your choice turns out to be not for the best it was not a stupid decision.
Please please NEVER use that word about yourself it will inhibit your value of yourself.