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Original poster

Started a new job, but felt like a mistake - How can I recover from a career move mistake

47 replies

LifeIsWhat · 26/11/2021 15:16

I just left my old job that I really like (good team, nice company, comfortable environment, interesting work) only because the new job's team is what I have always wanted. I am keen to progress my career.

However, long story short, after a few weeks, I realised that the new job is not what I expected., especially in the long term (i.e. in 6 - 10 months time). But only a few weeks into the job, it is too quick to change again.

Can anyone give me some advice on how to recover from a career move mistake, or any biggish mistakes in life, since mistakes are inevitable.

Thank you very much.

OP posts:
SalsaLove · 26/11/2021 15:19

Can you go back to your old job? If you’re staying in the same industry you will want to be honest and own your mistake. It will require strength to do this but in the end it’s the right thing for now and further down the road.

Walkingthedog46 · 26/11/2021 15:22

Someone I know started a new job and realised within the first week or two that it really wasn't for her. She summoned up her courage to go and tell the boss that she wouldn't be staying and to her surprise he was actually happy that she had told him early rather than waiting weeks/months until she had been trained up and then left.

Original poster
LifeIsWhat · 26/11/2021 15:29

@SalsaLove

Can you go back to your old job? If you’re staying in the same industry you will want to be honest and own your mistake. It will require strength to do this but in the end it’s the right thing for now and further down the road.
thank you @SalsaLove It is the same profession/industry. The new job looks very good on CV, but the team/task are different from what I was told during the interview. In the other word, I would not have left the old job if I know the truth picture of the new job. I am not sure if I can go back to the old job....
OP posts:
Original poster
LifeIsWhat · 26/11/2021 15:29

@Walkingthedog46

Someone I know started a new job and realised within the first week or two that it really wasn't for her. She summoned up her courage to go and tell the boss that she wouldn't be staying and to her surprise he was actually happy that she had told him early rather than waiting weeks/months until she had been trained up and then left.
@Walkingthedog46 - what happened to your friend after she quit her new job?

Thank you very much.

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Fireatseaparks · 26/11/2021 15:34

It would depend in what way it wasn't what I expected. I'd there any room for manoeuvre within the new company?

NotDavidTennant · 26/11/2021 15:44

I've experienced this, where someone who worked under me left for a job that was more prestigious and carried more responsibility. When we advertised for his replacement a couple of months later (slow HR) we were surprised to find his name in the list of applicants. The new job was not what he was expecting and he was hoping to return to his old job. We took him back in a heartbeat because he had been good at the job and it was a time sensitive project meaning that there was an advantage to not having to train a new person.

I always thought this was a brave move on his part, as a lot of people would have felt embarrassed about going back for their old (more junior) job and simply stayed in the new job they hated.

enjoyingscience · 26/11/2021 15:47

How long is your probation? I’d search hard now for a new role and take advantage of the one week notice period.

Most people will take a wrong turn somewhere - in the context of your whole CV it won’t raise eyebrows to have started and ended a role pretty quickly.

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 26/11/2021 15:56

Can you discuss this with new boss? Show them the job spec and details they provided at point of interview? Either they can modify your role to line up or at least you all know that it's not right for you

Original poster
LifeIsWhat · 26/11/2021 16:01

@SliceOfCakeCupOfTea

Can you discuss this with new boss? Show them the job spec and details they provided at point of interview? Either they can modify your role to line up or at least you all know that it's not right for you
@SliceOfCakeCupOfTea - I am dreaded to have this conversation....I worry that if he says "It has always been like this and you misunderstood". Then it will be awkward to work together afterwards...
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Original poster
LifeIsWhat · 26/11/2021 16:05

@NotDavidTennant

I've experienced this, where someone who worked under me left for a job that was more prestigious and carried more responsibility. When we advertised for his replacement a couple of months later (slow HR) we were surprised to find his name in the list of applicants. The new job was not what he was expecting and he was hoping to return to his old job. We took him back in a heartbeat because he had been good at the job and it was a time sensitive project meaning that there was an advantage to not having to train a new person.

I always thought this was a brave move on his part, as a lot of people would have felt embarrassed about going back for their old (more junior) job and simply stayed in the new job they hated.

@NotDavidTennant - thank you for the reply. Why can't he find a new job? I mean, it I am to return to the old job, the position need to be at least the same level.
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SnackSizeRaisin · 26/11/2021 16:06

I don't understand why you can't just leave quickly if you know it's not right. Better to explain you left after 3 weeks because x y and z than have to explain leaving after 6 months.
If it's short enough you can just leave it off your CV altogether.
But you should speak to new boss first, if there's a chance it's resolvable

citycitycity · 26/11/2021 16:06

am dreaded to have this conversation....I worry that if he says "It has always been like this and you misunderstood". Then it will be awkward to work together afterwards...

but you want to quit so you really haven't got anything to lose by having the conversation

peachpearplum01 · 26/11/2021 16:06

I’ve done this twice! First time I asked to go back to my old job and second time I joined an awful company without realising - I considered going back but it would have been a backwards step career wise so stuck it out a bit longer and moved somewhere else. Both times it felt like the worst thing in the world but now barely a blip in my cv (and I've been in my current job ten years now ie the one after the awful one).
These things happen - as long as you can explain it well in interviews and handle it professionally people will understand..

Whosaysyoucanthaveitall · 26/11/2021 16:24

For your cv it’s best to move as soon as possible rather than waiting several months. It shows future employers that you’re serious about your career and brave enough to move if somethings not right.
I handed my notice in 6 weeks into my current role (I lined something else up pretty quickly). The role wasn’t what I was told it was going to be and I’m not wasting my life being miserable. New employer had no problem with it at all. I’m Director level, so it might be a bit easier for me confidence wise, but trust your gut.
I wouldn’t advise going back to your old role, but could you move into the interim market until you find the right fit?

Original poster
LifeIsWhat · 26/11/2021 16:26

@SnackSizeRaisin

I don't understand why you can't just leave quickly if you know it's not right. Better to explain you left after 3 weeks because x y and z than have to explain leaving after 6 months. If it's short enough you can just leave it off your CV altogether. But you should speak to new boss first, if there's a chance it's resolvable
@SnackSizeRaisin Good point, I thought about it, two reasons really. 1 - I can't find a job I like very quickly, so can't quit right now.
  1. I still have hope that they will keep me in the team I like. (in a way feel been lied to as the interview and the actual work information is not matching.)
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Original poster
LifeIsWhat · 26/11/2021 16:32

@Whosaysyoucanthaveitall

For your cv it’s best to move as soon as possible rather than waiting several months. It shows future employers that you’re serious about your career and brave enough to move if somethings not right. I handed my notice in 6 weeks into my current role (I lined something else up pretty quickly). The role wasn’t what I was told it was going to be and I’m not wasting my life being miserable. New employer had no problem with it at all. I’m Director level, so it might be a bit easier for me confidence wise, but trust your gut. I wouldn’t advise going back to your old role, but could you move into the interim market until you find the right fit?
@Whosaysyoucanthaveitall -

Thank you very much for the advice. It took me a very long time to find this job as I was quite picky and turned downed a few roles, so I had high hope for it. It feels like you dated one guy you love but finding out you are marring his brother.

Why you would not advise to go back to my old role? The current role looks very good on my CV, but not sure if this should be the right reason to stay in a job.

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Bfyob · 26/11/2021 16:56

Contact your old company and ask if they can take you back

Get past your probation and look at transfers internally

Look at competitors companies and apply immediately. If they ask why you're moving so soo just say job isn't what you expected (ie politely honest) , if you have a good tenure at your old job 1 mistake like this is understandable

Start the process now
This happened to me 2 years ago it was horrible but I'm back somewhere much better
A career is a very long slog so not all is lost, many people have experienced this
Good luck x

Bfyob · 26/11/2021 16:57

Don't stay just because the salary is super high or the role / company looks good on paper

I tried that and it ruined me for a while

You are no1 priority x

Bunnycat101 · 26/11/2021 17:10

In what way is the job different to what you expected? Is it about responsibility, actual tasks etc? If it’s bearable I’d probably give it a bit longer to bed in. But, if it’s going to make you miserable then moving quicker might be better. I had a job where I knew instantly things weren’t going to work with me and my manager. I stuck it out but it was horrible and I wish I’d gone sooner as it sucked so much of my happiness and confidence. So for me it would depend if it’s a ‘it’s not quite right’ or a ‘it’s awful and I hate it’ situation.

Original poster
LifeIsWhat · 26/11/2021 17:14

@Bfyob

Don't stay just because the salary is super high or the role / company looks good on paper

I tried that and it ruined me for a while

You are no1 priority x

@Bfyob - thank you so much for the advice. Can you please tell me why I should not stay if the salary is high and the company looks good? As it seems to be a easy choice (comparing to interview again etc.).
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Original poster
LifeIsWhat · 26/11/2021 17:22

@Bunnycat101

In what way is the job different to what you expected? Is it about responsibility, actual tasks etc? If it’s bearable I’d probably give it a bit longer to bed in. But, if it’s going to make you miserable then moving quicker might be better. I had a job where I knew instantly things weren’t going to work with me and my manager. I stuck it out but it was horrible and I wish I’d gone sooner as it sucked so much of my happiness and confidence. So for me it would depend if it’s a ‘it’s not quite right’ or a ‘it’s awful and I hate it’ situation.
@Bunnycat101 Thank you Bunnycat.

It is different because I thought I will be in team A (fun and exciting), also what they use on the job spec which attracted me in the first place. But I now found out I am officially in team B (boring, and I would not be interested to interview in the first place.)and will only work in team A for about 6 months, then all the interesting fun people will leave, I will stay in team B.
Please in both team A and B are nice, but stay in team B would be a backward move for my career as join team A was the main attraction for me to leave a very good job (just got promoted etc.).

Hope this gives more context.....

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Original poster
LifeIsWhat · 26/11/2021 17:22

*People in

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longestlurkerever · 26/11/2021 17:32

Definitely have a chat with your boss. I don't see why it should be awkward- you're just setting out what you want and being assertive. I'd say something like "look, it was team A that attracted me to this role and meant I turned down other offers to work here. Team B is fine but isn't a good fit for my career ambitions so if you can't offer me a permanent role in Team A I am going to have to start looking for other positions".

SummerBluez · 26/11/2021 17:35

I left a job after one day. I hated it, knew I'd be miserable and wasn't willing to put myself through it.

bfyob · 26/11/2021 17:36

Only you know how bad it is. I tried to stick it out as I was at a top tier firm (the absolute A game in my field) and earning absolute mega bucks. I would have made over a million pounds if I'd stayed an extra 2.5 years. I dont say this to brag I say it to emphasise how bad things were as - regardless of money - the role and culture were so bad that I ended up having a breakdown and a physical illness that I still have (literal) scars from. Only you know how bad it is. Try to keep your options open, look at all avenues, good luck! x