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Original poster

What to do when new job is a mistake?

36 replies

PrincessDando · 17/10/2018 18:15

I took a new role recently, left a permanent job after 5 years and it's just turned out to be a massive massive mistake.

There is not enough work for both me and my boss, and I'm kind of assisting / supporting her when I thought I'd be having my own client load as is normal in my line of work. She won't even circulate my number to clients so they are still all going through her and she's allocating me bits and pieces.. I've asked and there are no plans to change this approach. So I'm bored and also very lonely with little to do, feel directionless and purposeless.

I'm going to leave but my question is am I better to stick it there until I can find something else or just quit. I feel like just quitting but I don't know if that'll look really bad to prospective employers. Could manage financially for a bit.

Just don't know whether to stick it in a job where everything feels wrong or just cut my losses any advice please.

OP posts:
Karachii · 17/10/2018 19:25

Depending on the circs you left in. Could you talk to your old job and see if they want you back?

CV wise, I think it looks better to quit ASAP, if you've not been there long - you look decisive, rather than flighty. But that depends on how much you need the income. Of course!

Original poster
PrincessDando · 17/10/2018 20:31

No way I could go back to old job, and my post has been filled now anyway.

income wise we could cope for a bit so that's not a deciding factor.

It just feels kind of wrong to keep on there now I know it's not going to be the job for me... like when you are dating and go off someone and need to break it off asap.

Aaargh feel such a fool for taking this job and buggering up my career.

OP posts:
Singlenotsingle · 17/10/2018 20:37

I would say stay there while you look for something else. It's always more impressive to new employers if you're already working. If you're unemployed they -think there must be something wrong with you- wonder why.

Singlenotsingle · 17/10/2018 20:38

Supposed to be a delete there.

Original poster
PrincessDando · 17/10/2018 20:42

My CV is quite stable prior to this blip so i'm hoping any new prospective employer will allow for one mistake.... its going to be a blip on my CV whatever I do as it will look bad either way - that I left after a short period of time or that I'm looking after a short period of time.

fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck I can't be the only person who's had this experience surely

OP posts:
Nitrostormi · 17/10/2018 20:51

Many years ago I was in your position and I decided to leave. It worked out well for me. I had lots of time to attend interviews which was good. Also being available to start immediately can be a good thing. It didn't take me long to find another job that was a much better fit for me. Good luck.

tribpot · 17/10/2018 20:58

I would get out pronto. Hopefully you will get another job soon and then you can basically airbrush this off your CV completely.

I would hand your notice in and then starting hitting the job sites hard, hoping you get something before you have to admit you've already left.

Di11y · 17/10/2018 21:30

perhaps decide to stay for a set period e.g. 3 weeks and job hunt like mad and if you don't get anywhere quit.

if you're inclined to just go now, have a candid conversation with your boss and agree a timeframe or until they get a replacement. it might not be too late for them to call the back up candidate to see if they're still looking.

RollerJed · 17/10/2018 21:35

I agree with pp about leaving and being available for other interviews.

I'm currently in a similar situation. The role hasn't turned out to be quite as I thought. I could stick it out for 6-12 months as the company would look good on my CV.

But I'm constantly thinking if I should leave and I'm feeling bad at the effort everyone has put in to train me.

Difference for me is dh's won't start work until early next year so I know I should stay so one of us is working.

DonnaDarko · 17/10/2018 21:40

I would just leave. I've done that before. It's a myth that it's easier to find a job if you're already in one - unless you're senior, a lot of employers are asking for immediate start at the moment!

Crystalblue13 · 17/10/2018 21:56

I left a job after a week once. I just knew it wasn’t for me and couldn’t stay. I just left it out off my C.V. and found another job quite quickly.

Polarbearflavour · 17/10/2018 22:21

I’ve left jobs after 2 weeks and 4 weeks before. Found new jobs within a month. Left the mistakes off my CV and never mentioned again!

daisychain01 · 18/10/2018 05:27

Princess you are taking it all too seriously, honestly. An employer looks at a person holistically they don't just home-in on one minor role and write off the person's career on the basis of them only staying in the role for a short period.

You certainly haven't wrecked your career through a role that's gone pear shaped through no fault of your own.

Caprisunorange · 18/10/2018 05:49

I agree, stay whilst you find a job then remove from your cv of short enough or explain you made a mistake and it wasn’t what you expected. In interview people who’ve done this all the time and just once in an otherwise steady cv is no problem

ivykaty44 · 18/10/2018 05:55

Why not explain to your boss that you are unhappy with the system, as you are not busy enough and this is making you dissatisfied with your work

If that isn’t a big enough clue

Redtartanshoes · 18/10/2018 05:57

I’d sit and have a frank conversation with boss first. Tell her the job isn’t as you expected, that you are frustrated, and feel it isn’t for you. She might change in the short term whilst you are looking for something else..... nothing to lose

shearwater · 18/10/2018 06:02

I did contracting and interim roles for a while so there are loads of jobs on my CV and it hasn't done me any harm. Jumping ship after a few years and then not enjoying the next job you go to is fairly common, and there are sound reasons for leaving this one.

I was also just wondering whether you had communicated your current dissatisfaction to your employer and whether anything can be done? It sounds like a case of poor delegation.

BeakyPlinder · 18/10/2018 06:32

I am currently in a similar situation although I have managed to stick it out for 9 months and have told my boss I absolutely will be leaving after Xmas (I'm currently doing a pretty useful course they have put me on) I have gone back and forth with feeling guilty and like I've used them for the course but actually I have flogged myself for this awful job and if I get one thing from it then it makes the last year worth it. Don't stay where you are unhappy, especially if you can afford to leave. Tell your boss and see if she makes any changes and just start looking now.

The stress from being so unhappy at work will filter into every part of your life and believe me it's not worth it xx

Original poster
PrincessDando · 18/10/2018 09:09

Regarding speaking to my boss, I have done this in a subtle way but am wary of being too direct about something that won't really change, as I'm in probation so it could very easily flip into them dismissing me /saying it's not working if they think how I want to work is incompatible. Maybe if things continue it will reach a point where I just can't hold it in. Especially now I have broached it with her.

Meanwhile I am on the phone with recruiters letting them know I'm available, and I have one interview lined up already so hopefully I can get something else before too long.

OP posts:
Starlive23 · 18/10/2018 09:37

I'd stick with it for now but keep looking and hopefully you will find something asap. They sound like they are going to continue in this vein and they just seem to be messing you around OP.

FWIW I was in almost an identical situation to you a few years ago. Found a new job within a few months so I am sure you will too.

Original poster
PrincessDando · 18/10/2018 10:10

Its like my manager doesn't really want me / need me but this has been imposed on her for above. To be fair, it would be ideal for someone just starting out to be a bit of an apprentice/assistant but it's a step backwards for me. Shame as it's really well paid + car, but its just making me miserable particularly as I was so excited to get it and now the dreams gone very sour!

OP posts:
shearwater · 18/10/2018 11:23

When you do get a chance to contact clients, forge links with them and make yourself the first port of call. You may find that your boss ends up the one moving on.

TheVeryHungryDieter · 18/10/2018 13:48

If it's been a short time I wouldn't even mention it on your cv. Just "interim/ temporary work in X field carrying out assorted duties, such as..."

User1011 · 19/10/2018 06:17

I’m similar, left a job where I was head of department to a job where I answer to a power crazy manager.
I’ve handed my notice in, but they are not too happy as they paid the agency thousands for headhunting me.

Original poster
PrincessDando · 19/10/2018 09:48

I think the decision may be made for me soon as I can feel the relationship beginning to break down. I'm so angry at my boss I can barely bring myself to call her and she's not calling me. She's going on holiday next week usually in this situation there'd be a handover meeting for the person picking up the work, nope not heard a dickie bird from her.

I'm half of a mind to ring all the senior clients next week whilst she's off to introduce myself and start working on live cases, will up the ante but make my point. I'm very aware that I'm only one conversation away from an 'its not working here's your notice' situation.

Who in the name of fuck takes someone on only to give them no work and no access to clients? It's very bizzare.

OP posts:
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