Can I be totally honest in my probation meeting that the jobs not for me?

[Bettyboo12]

I have my 4mth probation meeting on Monday. I've realised this job isn't for me so I'm not expecting it to go well as I think this reflects in my unwillingness to do extra hours etc. I've raised a few issues about the job not being what I've thought and although they've tried to accommodate me with what they say I feel there is this unsaid pressure for me to conform. I've been looking for other jobs and have an interview. But I don't want to lie and say things are great when they are not. Would you tell them you are not staying or that the jobs not right for you? I don't want it to be a complete shock when I do hand my notice in which I probably should have long time ago. I think they need me more then I need them right now.

I'd wait until I had another offer before I said anything, if I needed the income.

I wouldn’t tell them outright until you’re certain you’ve got another job lined up and you’re ready to hand in your resignation.

I do think it makes sense to be diplomatically honest about the fact the job isn’t what you were expecting though. They might be able to make changes so that your remaining time there is more bearable, and so that the next person has a better experience.

I know they will ask how I'm finding it 🙈. I nearly left in the first week but they talked me into staying and I know they've been tip toeing around me to keep me happy but it's the job itself now which I'm not enjoying.

So what would you say if they ask how you are finding it or of you enjoy the job?

If I need the job 'yes its great'
If not 'No it isn't for me, I'll be off next week'.

Don't be an idiot.
Get another job first. There is such a thing as being too honest.

Great I'm a really shit liar and to be honest I'm not sure I can stick it out much longer even if I don't have another job lined up.

The job is different in x y z than I thought and I’ve raised this.
I enjoy a b c of job

then I’d be quiet and not tell them I’m going to be leaving. No one HAS to work extra hours and works are cheeky dickers thinking we should

No, I'd say you want to settle in to a role and enjoy becoming familiar with that role before you think of the next step. Say you have plans to progress but one stepping stone at a time.

Or something like that.

I work part timeish but I know they want me to do an extra day to cover someone else. They have already asked me and I said I'd think about it as totally caught off guard.

unless you're in the fortunate position of not needing a job/income, why burn your bridges ? Think about the scenario of you saying the job isn't for you and them saying OK we won't confirm your probation and here, have a week's notice.

that's potentially what you're faced with.

the choice is your's.

Same situation here! I'm putting in my game face although I may position one of the main issues in a positive way ie instead if saying I'm not happy about X it'll be I'm wondering how I may be able to get more exposure to X which I really enjoy...

Ultimately though I'm just marking time so I'm saying it's all rosy, although when I eventually do resign I can say ' despite wanting to do more X it never materialised '

(X is something I had a reasonable expectation would be part of the role but isn't happening)

How long have you been on your job Rose? I've been in my new job for 3 mths like you it's not very challenging and feels very different to the job they sold me.

Say something like you’re still settling in to the way the company works

I burnt bridges by staying for as long as possible. I absolutely hated the job. They changed the job role twice without explaining new tasks & without training.

I managed to stay for 10 months but it became SO toxic in that time.

I should have ducked out earlier.

The problem if you stay in the job is that you will have to explain to your next employer why you only stayed in your current role for only 6 or 8 months or however long it takes you to find a new job.

if you leave now you might be able to leave the job out of your CV entirely.

If you need the income it makes sense to keep the job while you are looking for something else but if you don't I would leave now.

My son is in your position. Completely mis-sold the job. Already has another one lined up but can't resign yet as he hasn't got the contract yet. Finally had a meeting with his manager yesterday (supposed to meet him regularly) and son found it very difficult to pretend he was fully engaged in the job because he knows he will be leaving soon. He just had to lie, but he doesn't find it easy, and is now worried his manager will try to improve the situation for him when it is already too late. Its a difficult situation for him and you, but you just have to lie until you have another job secure. Don't worry about their surprise, disappointment, shock, etc when you hand in your notice. Do you honestly think they would worry about your reaction if the boot were on the other foot and they wanted to sack you from a job you liked?

Re the working extra day, just say no, you need the day for personal matters. I work part time deliberately so I can have time for other things. You have to guard those spare hours fiercely otherwise you will lose them.

Well I lied from my teeth. Just hope this interview goes well although not looking forward to giving notice.

You are so brave, Fingers crossed for your interview coming good.

I've been watching the thread as felt similar so thank you.

Thing is, OP has already been there 4 months. That's not easily hideable.

I was in this dilemma a few years back knew if I was to hide it off my CV I needed to leave I'm the first month and say I'd had a few weeks off in-between jobs.

2 months plus you can't really blag it unless possibly you were made redundant and can say you took some time to find your next role, although they'd see if that was true on the reference.

You'll call me when the rocket lands?