Awkward situation at work after handing in my notice

[awkwardleaver]

I handed in my notice recently after realising my job was a poor fit and I wasn't happy there. I don't have another job lined up, but have a notice period of several months and savings so after careful consideration I decided to hand in my notice with nothing concrete lined up. My job role is in demand at the moment and it's quite common to hop around.

When I handed in my notice, I didn't want to tell my manager I was leaving because I was unhappy there. The conversation started to go down them wanting to persuade me to stay and in my anxious-ridden, flustered state I said I had another job offer, and described a job I had an interview lined up for. It would be a complete career move, and I applied for it when I was feeling so miserable in my current job that I decided I needed a complete change. I don't know how or why I said that, it was like an out of body experience.

Now that I've handed in my notice and made the first move towards leaving I've decided I should stay in my current industry and try a different company before I write my whole career off. The only thing is my manager has now told everyone my 'exciting new plans'. Colleagues are congratulating me on a new job that I don't have, and asking lots of questions about it.

I know I have BU, but I'm not sure how/when to come clean and have no idea how this happened. Do I say the job offer fell through? Or that I changed my mind? Or just brazen it out?

I’d just say…

”well actually I’m looking at some other options at the moment, so My plans may change”

something vague, that gives you an out.

Definitely no need to admit you lied just be vague and say “thanks!” Or “I might head in that direction but still figuring things out” - they don’t need to know anything about your future plans abs it’s really none of their business.

You don’t have to explain anything to anyone, they are colleagues, not friends. If they ask you can just say something vague about changed plans, or, it’s complicated, and let it drop. They will soon lose interest.

It is always, always awkward when leaving a job, no matter what your reason for moving on, or how long you've been there. If you want an easy life you could just keep up the lie, or alternatively tell them you are weighing up options as you may fancy something else. Don't overthink it though - they'll move on soon enough.

"I've actually had a second job offer this week for a job I had assumed I didn't get, in the same field, so it's a real consideration for me."