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

[LifeIsWhat]

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.

@bfyob

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

@Bfyob - thank you so much, I do hope you are feeling much better now. You are not bragging at all. I think people should be educated in this area.

It is not as bad as your situation, it is more like a big disappointment and the feeling of been lied to. The career development I was hoping is also fainting and I need to decide how to progress my career again.

I did this recently. I stayed in the new role for 6 months and started applying for different jobs. The job just wasn’t for me.
I got a great new job that was a better fit and I’m much happier.
It was very hard telling the manager of the horrible job though, but they appreciated my honesty.

If you were to leave this job would you be able to afford to survive in the meantime while you look for something else? By this I don't mean even going back to the old job - just something else. If you can't do this financially then you're going to have to stick it out unless you have a partner you can depend on or savings.

yes i understand that feeling, I also was lied to about what the role was, it was completely misrepresented and I felt like my career was going off the rails as a result. I also had to work on disappointment as I was putting was too much hope/energy into what my work represented.

However, all anyone looked at when I left was the fact I was at a good level in a great company. I am sure you will go the same.

Look at everything, internal, external, old company! You got this!

@JingleCatJingle

I did this recently. I stayed in the new role for 6 months and started applying for different jobs. The job just wasn’t for me. I got a great new job that was a better fit and I’m much happier. It was very hard telling the manager of the horrible job though, but they appreciated my honesty.

@JingleCatJingle - this is great. Did you also find out new surprises after started the new job? When you were looking, did they (new company, headhunters etc.) ask you why you started searching after just six months?

Would be great to have some advices. Thank you so much.

Is it a good career move overall? If so I would recommend sticking it out. I left a job I loved for a new job to break into a new profession, I really disliked the company and it was a difficult 2 years but it got me exactly where I want to be in a new role at a new company, it's the happiest I've ever been in a role, I wouldn't have gotten here without the previous one.

I would just say "the role isn't exactly what was advertised to me, so I'm looking for something more compatible for the long term. [And then link that to your pitch] As such, I'm really excited about this role and your company because it offers a great fit for my skills and culturally because of XZY." No need to go into detail and focus on the fact you're looking for the right long term move. I did this once when I took an internal transfer (different to above situation) and it worked out really well; I basically said "we just had an internal restructure and as such, while my job is safe and I'm still well regarded internally, the current structure and role are very different to what I was doing when the company recruited me. Therefore your team is great because XXX". I didn't have to go into the reality that my new line manager was a giant tw*t.

In interviews, focus loads on what matters to YOU during the inteview. (what's the job seem like? how does the manager seem? do they treat you well and try to sell you the job, as well as interviewing you? what does the interview(s) say about their culture? etc)

Ask probing questions and use LinkedIn to set up coffees with people who work in the company/team to chat about the role.

You can ask questions like:

• what are your biggest priorities for the team and how specifically would this role help achieve them?
• No role is perfect. While this role sounds like a dream opportunity, it would be good to know what's the most difficult aspect of this role?
• what attributes does someone who does really well in this team bring?
• how do you like to manage? (line manager)
• how do colleagues work well to fit in within the team? (team members)
• can I meet my team members? (if not in interview) or speak to one to learn more about the role and your culture?
• why did the role arise? can I speak to the person leaving the role? (unless its new) - if they say no, red flag. if the person already left, add them on LinkedIn and have a chat.

even just looking around and taking action will help you clarify what's important to you and what's next.

hope that helps!

@user0176 makes a good point too - if the brand for your CV (and money) is good then if it's tolerable you could just stick it out for 1-2 years.

Hmmm. If working in Team A is what attracted you, then I would stick it out for 6 months in Team A and then re-evaluate. In 6 months' time you never know what might change, perhaps some new opportunities may present themselves before you have to move on to Team B? You could always leave at that point having benefitted from 6 months in Team A.

@Play8063

I would just say "the role isn't exactly what was advertised to me, so I'm looking for something more compatible for the long term. [And then link that to your pitch] As such, I'm really excited about this role and your company because it offers a great fit for my skills and culturally because of XZY." No need to go into detail and focus on the fact you're looking for the right long term move. I did this once when I took an internal transfer (different to above situation) and it worked out really well; I basically said "we just had an internal restructure and as such, while my job is safe and I'm still well regarded internally, the current structure and role are very different to what I was doing when the company recruited me. Therefore your team is great because XXX". I didn't have to go into the reality that my new line manager was a giant tw*t.

In interviews, focus loads on what matters to YOU during the inteview. (what's the job seem like? how does the manager seem? do they treat you well and try to sell you the job, as well as interviewing you? what does the interview(s) say about their culture? etc)

Ask probing questions and use LinkedIn to set up coffees with people who work in the company/team to chat about the role.

You can ask questions like:

• what are your biggest priorities for the team and how specifically would this role help achieve them?
• No role is perfect. While this role sounds like a dream opportunity, it would be good to know what's the most difficult aspect of this role?
• what attributes does someone who does really well in this team bring?
• how do you like to manage? (line manager)
• how do colleagues work well to fit in within the team? (team members)
• can I meet my team members? (if not in interview) or speak to one to learn more about the role and your culture?
• why did the role arise? can I speak to the person leaving the role? (unless its new) - if they say no, red flag. if the person already left, add them on LinkedIn and have a chat.

even just looking around and taking action will help you clarify what's important to you and what's next.

hope that helps!

@Play8063 Oh, thank you so much, this is great advice and thank you so much for helping a stranger. Guess this is what makes mumsnet special.

@user0176

Is it a good career move overall? If so I would recommend sticking it out. I left a job I loved for a new job to break into a new profession, I really disliked the company and it was a difficult 2 years but it got me exactly where I want to be in a new role at a new company, it's the happiest I've ever been in a role, I wouldn't have gotten here without the previous one.

@user0176 I know what do you mean and total understand your point. It is a good career move only if I stay in team A, the fun and exciting team, it could be a backward move if I move to team B after 6 months. This is why I am so disappointed.

No problem! I'm good at career stuff, less so at other stuff, everyone's got their things they're better and worse at. I've been posting my own crap here all night on my own thread ;)
keep us posted!

@LifeIsWhat actually there’s a factor that the people who are most likely to move are ones who recently moved so recruitment consultants/headhunters are aware this happened.
New role was actually even better because I could compare it to previous one so favourably. I’m delighted I made the jump.

This happened to me, I started looking for new jobs after a week and left after 3 months. Noone has ever cared.

I resigned from job B before I’d even finalised the paperwork. I’d worked freelance for them and the permanent post didn’t suit at all, it wasn’t as advertised. I went back to the old job A without a problem. I even continued some freelance for job B. Everyone was ok, we all needed each other in some way or other.

I once went to a recruitment agency to see what they had on their books, and they ended up headhunting me for an internal role. It was a new venture that they had set up, and sounded great, good money, great opportunity etc. They really sold it to me.

When I started though, it was a nightmare, not was I was expecting at all. Anyway, after a few days I just told them straight out that I didn't think the role was for me. In the end they actually recruited me for another job with a different company, no hard feelings. They were still getting commission from my hiring with the other place.

Anyway, don't worry too much OP, these things happen. It's not uncommon for companies to misrepresent a role, or sometimes you just don't know if you will fit in somewhere until you try it. Either try and get your old job back, or leave and don't even put this on your CV - a month or two between jobs is no big deal, just say you wanted some time off.

I knew in 3 days I’d made a horrible mistake. I stuck it out 5 months but they caught wind I was planning on leaving and ‘failed’ me on probation. I don’t recommend, but I left it off my cv and had another job within a month (not same sector at all though). 1 year later I moved to where I am now and have been there 5 plus years. I don’t plan on moving on so I suppose I would list it on a cv for something internal as they wouldn’t seek a reference. I’d leave it off if I felt somewhere might. If ever asked about why I was only there 5 months I’d just say wasnt a right fit. What I should’ve done though Is leave that first week or within the first 3 months and been unemployed potentially a bit longer than I was when let go. I’d probably have found something and not have had to cover it up and then fear being found out. Not that I had anything to hide but figured a new employer wouldn’t believe me if I said I didn’t deserve to be failed on probation. I had no training or even told how long probation was it what it would entail. But I digress…

You don't seem receptive to anybody saying to leave quickly, but I'll add to their numbers anyway. I was in the same position and wish to god I'd started looking for another job as soon as I realised the new one wasn't for me. Like you I thought it was too soon to give up. I was stuck there a year and it not only sapped all my confidence but left me depressed. I used to dream of breaking a leg so I wouldn't have to go to work for a few weeks.

When I finally left I had a new job within a week. I've been there five years now and couldn't be happier.

Just this month, two people have rejoined my company after leaving and regretting it. Happened in an old company too, so it can't be rare.

Then do the six months in team a and start applying for new jobs and leave after that.

@CatJumperTwat

You don't seem receptive to anybody saying to leave quickly, but I'll add to their numbers anyway. I was in the same position and wish to god I'd started looking for another job as soon as I realised the new one wasn't for me. Like you I thought it was too soon to give up. I was stuck there a year and it not only sapped all my confidence but left me depressed. I used to dream of breaking a leg so I wouldn't have to go to work for a few weeks.

When I finally left I had a new job within a week. I've been there five years now and couldn't be happier.

Just this month, two people have rejoined my company after leaving and regretting it. Happened in an old company too, so it can't be rare.

@CatJumperTwat Thank you for the reply, you are right, I can not leave immediately as I need the money. Were you very confident on find a new job very soon when you left your old one? Or you didn't have to worry about money at that time?

@Bluntness100

Then do the six months in team a and start applying for new jobs and leave after that.

Hi @Bluntness100 - yes, I already pulled my CV out and started to update. Thank you very much for your reply.

Thank you for the reply, you are right, I can not leave immediately as I need the money. Were you very confident on find a new job very soon when you left your old one? Or you didn't have to worry about money at that time?

I'm not suggesting you leave before securing a new job, but that you start looking - hard - for a new job now.