New Job is not what I expected

[NotBasically]

I moved to a new company just under a year ago. I’m my previous job I was at established cooperate, at the top of my industry, attended conferences, was a mentor and enjoyed the job but there was no career progression. In the new job I do a bit of everything, it’s a new start up company, I’m learning new things, better pay, better pension but o can’t help missing my old position where I was the one calling the shots in a well established role. I’m struggling to get my head around working in a place without much structure and despite the higher pay I feel like I do less than my previous role. I’m tempted to go back to my previous company but it doesn’t feel right either. I just feel stuck. Has anyone being in this position?

I think this is common in start ups. I left my steady company for a start up and found the lack of processes and clear direction really frustrating- especially as the founders expected you to be as passionate as they were.

I left after a year for another start up - or more scale up as its 6 years old and part of a larger group. And the issues are the same.

Also getting the rose tinted glasses but can younlook forwards to a new established company rather than back to your previous.

Thank you @Nowthereistwo. Apart from the lack of process and direction, did you feel your role at the start up used to change on a daily basis? I'm my case the role I applied for never materialised and I'm in limbo.

You used to be calling the shots in a well established role.

Perhaps what you need to do here is carve a niche for yourself, and establish your own role. It is the ideal opportunity if it's a new company.

Feeling similar after a move but only 4 months in here. Currently debating either a return to my old role (no career progression but clear remit and high level of influence/autonomy in organisation) or starting to apply for other roles. I’m in a new role and there is a lack of distinction between my role and my managers, I’m much further down the structure as it’s a much bigger organisation, the wider team/org don’t really seem to understand my role, my manager doesn’t seem able to clearly articulate priorities. I’ve found it has really affected my confidence. Part of me thinks it’s not worth chucking the towel in at this point - I have concerns about how much energy it would take to try and get my head around another organisation so soon. However I feel like if it was going to ‘click’ it would have done so by now. Sorry I don’t have any good advice to offer but can really identify with you!

We should start a help line for people in new jobs who are not fitting in @neitherofthem 🤣. I'm sorry you are in this position too. I think I'll keep my eyes wide open for new opportunities, life is too short to be miserable in a job.

Sorry the above was for @Tallesttiptoes 🙈

I had exactly the same last year! I left a good sized established business for a start up.

Biggest mistake of my life. And then they made me redundant anyway!

Am in exactly the same position as @Tallesttiptoes . Apart from i am 9 months in and had a 'short 'mistake' job between this one and the previous decent role, which makes my decision making process so much harder. I have a mid year goals discussion this week which will be excruciating as they simply can't define the role above task level.

I am really disappointed as the company is very well known and the role sounded great but it transpires that it was mostly aspirational rather than reality. I'm by far the most experienced in the team (including the management chain) and really miss working with peer professionals. The only perk is 100% remote so I can fit my work 'tasks' into my wider day. But god it is getting depressing.

So what is the answer when the new company we moved to pays more than the old job would?