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Massive regret new job 2 weeks in

59 replies

shiftshock · 19/09/2023 10:13

Name changed. I recently moved jobs to take up an ostensibly more senior middle management role within my industry. The job I left I liked, and I was well thought of by the leadership team but there were limited opportunities for growth. I was persuaded to move to this new job for the same salary on the basis that I would be able to hire into the small team and they recognised the need for investment. After 2 weeks, I feel huge regret and am also massively stressed. The investment I was told would be feasible to increase the resourcing in the team now doesn't appear to be there ( I specifically asked this before accepting the role), onboarding has been non existent, and I was firefighting within 1 day of starting the role. I have had no time to get up to speed on anything and have one critical deadline after another. There was no handover with the previous incumbent yet the expectation seems to be that I know everything that is going on, and can just swing immediately into action without familiarising myself at all. I understand the need to 'hit the ground running, and I'm usually pretty good at assimilating information but I feel totally overwhelmed and unsupported. I tend to trust my gut, and my alarm bells are ringing about the unreasonable expectations. I'm pretty sure my old company would have me back. Has anyone had any experience of this? I feel so stupid. I'm relatively seasoned and experienced but have not been sleeping and crying every day since I started.

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FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 19/09/2023 10:16

Contact your old company. This sounds like a shit show.

OnAFrolicOfMyOwn · 19/09/2023 10:20

Yes - see if it's possible to return to your old role.

SirChenjins · 19/09/2023 10:23

Don’t waste anymore time - get onto your old company today and see if they would rehire you. You’ve been sold a pup by the sounds of it.

shiftshock · 19/09/2023 10:29

Thank you all. I feel sick. I stupidly updated my LinkedIn profile with this new role and I'm going to look really flaky but I guess I will have to live with that. I've now been asked to pull together a strategy and a budget for my area by the end of the week....

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OnAFrolicOfMyOwn · 19/09/2023 10:31

It's probably more common than you think - anecdotally, I know of several people this has happened to - so I wouldn't worry about your LinkedIn.

shiftshock · 19/09/2023 10:34

Thank you @OnAFrolicOfMyOwn that is reassuring to hear

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Soggybaps · 19/09/2023 10:35

Really feel for you OP, I am in the same boat but 5 months in after being told things will make more sense after 6 months… we’ll they don’t and I’ve had very little support : training and no handover at all. Been expected just to get on with things and it’s been hell and I am on the verge of a mental breakdown.

If you can, get out now. Sadly my old boss recruited into my post before I left so I couldn’t go back.

good luck x

shiftshock · 19/09/2023 10:40

Oh @Soggybaps I am so sorry to hear this x

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Jk987 · 19/09/2023 10:47

I would definitely speak to your line manager and/or HR. Book a 1:1 for an hour. It's a rough start but if you speak up now they have the opportunity to improve and support you.

If that doesn't work, you know you've tried.

shiftshock · 19/09/2023 10:55

How would you frame that conversation @Jk987

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shiftshock · 23/09/2023 09:38

So update- I've both spoken to current company and things have improved slightly the last couple of days but I do feel things were misrepresented and support remains quite limited. I have a call with former employer next week to explore options too.

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SM4713 · 23/09/2023 09:51

I'm glad things have improved slightly for you OP. This was me a few years ago. Job was completely misrepresented, micromanaged by the owners who had no experience in the sector- I had 20yrs, no induction etc. I held out for 8mths, mainly so it looked better on a CV.

If you can return to your previous job- I would do so. Best of luck.

worriedatwork123 · 23/09/2023 09:52

I'm working my notice from a post which had a few red flags early on, gave it a good go but it didn't improve and then got worse in terms of any buy in from directors and as they got comfy with me the sexist language in board room started

i was looking for a new role from 12 weeks in and when i leave i'll have done 10 months - it was starting to make me ill and I wish i had trusted my early instincts of the first few weeks but tried to give benefit of the doubt and convince myself it'll get better

If you can go back to a role u r happy in then i'd do that, especially if you are feeling unwell. Before i handed in notice i was anxious and on edge constantly, even in evenings and weekends, heart palpitations the lot. Notice handed in and it all immediately lifted

Katrinawaves · 23/09/2023 09:54

When you update your linked in job details, you can activate a setting which means it does not notify your contacts you have made a change. So you could just revert back to the old job details quietly (if you go back to the old role) and if will mostly fly under the radar.

shiftshock · 23/09/2023 10:14

That's what I fear @SM4713 @worriedatwork123 - I honestly can't see myself sticking it out for longer than a year at the max so I feel I'm probably better cutting my losses. My health has already suffered in 2 weeks with sleep, poorer lifestyle choices etc. Sorry to hear you have had similar @worriedatwork123 .

Thanks for your advice @Katrinawaves I stupidly let my network know about new role but hopefully it will soon be forgotten. I feel so annoyed with myself.

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Katrinawaves · 23/09/2023 10:34

People will forget quickly. They really aren’t as interested in where you work as you think they will be.

I have a good friend who is very senior in his career at a big PLC. I met him 30 years ago when we worked at Company A. He left A to take up a role at B and decided within weeks he had made a mistake so he returned to A. Stayed at A for less than a year and then went to company C. Left C after about 2 years and went to the PLC where he stayed for about 5 years, didn’t like the salary and promotion prospects so went back to Company C. Where he stayed for a few years before going back to the PLC where he’s now been for decades and is really senior. I doubt anyone who knows him professionally (or very few who do) remember his Hokey Cokey earlier in his career and it hasn’t harmed him professionally or reputationally.

OnAFrolicOfMyOwn · 23/09/2023 11:16

If anyone mentions it, just say the role wasn't what you expected - most people will have been in that position at some point in their careers and will understand.

shiftshock · 23/09/2023 13:54

Thank you both @Katrinawaves @OnAFrolicOfMyOwn

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shiftshock · 26/09/2023 16:36

So this week so far has been absolutely horrific Is it only Tuesday?. I can't remember disliking a new job more, despite it being so good on paper. The role is basically a highly paid admin role rather than the strategic impact i was expecting. I have spoken with my former employer and praying that I can return. Had an email from one of my old colleagues and just started crying. Taken a massive toll on my wellbeing in such a short time. Also have another option with another former colleague so am exploring that too.

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Roselilly36 · 26/09/2023 16:46

So sorry it hasn’t worked out OP, but honestly don’t stress yourself out over it. I was in a similar situation many years ago,I got back in touch with HR at my previous job, said things hadn’t worked out, HR manager just offered me a role there and then, within a few weeks I was back in my original job! It’s not the end of the world, it really isn’t Flowers Good luck going forward.

shiftshock · 26/09/2023 16:59

Thank you so much @Roselilly36 it has hit me really hard today x. Your story makes me feel better. How did you handle things with the ' mistake' job?

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Roselilly36 · 26/09/2023 17:08

@shiftshock just left, offered notice, but it wasn’t required, thank goodness 😅

KStockHERO · 26/09/2023 17:24

I'm sorry this is happening to you, OP.

My DP did this a few years ago and it all worked out well. He moved jobs to a role which turned out not to be all it was cracked up to be. Namely, they'd misrepresented the seniority of the job role so DP was going in at a lower level than he really should've been. DP contacted his old company and they snapped him back up immediately.

Once that was secured, DP organised a meeting with the top-top boss to voice his concerns. When he finally got a straight answer (that he couldn't/wouldn't be in the more senior role any time soon), DP replied "In that case, I'll have my letter of resignation with you within an hour".

I'm so proud of him and it was absolutely the right decision for us, his wellbeing, and his career. All the best OP

BakedBeeeen · 26/09/2023 17:29

Katrinawaves · 23/09/2023 09:54

When you update your linked in job details, you can activate a setting which means it does not notify your contacts you have made a change. So you could just revert back to the old job details quietly (if you go back to the old role) and if will mostly fly under the radar.

Yes I was going to say that too. Also your job title on LinkedIn doesn’t have to be your current role, you don’t have to draw attention to it.

shiftshock · 26/09/2023 17:37

Thanks @BakedBeeeen @KStockHERO really appreciate your insights. I'm just praying now that I can secure my old role back.

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