Have you ever started to like a job you never gelled with?

[DilemmaDilemmaWhatToDo]

Just writing this down as I'm struggling with a decision I need to make. I left a role I loved after 15 years due to relocating (kids left home and I downsized to somewhere that wasn't feasible to move to with schools in the mix). I could have commuted to my old job but it would have been 3 hours driving a day, very little wfh due to the nature of my client facing work. It was the commute that made me leave tbh.

I took a job I thought I would love in organisation that was a client in my former job. The trustees (I report directly) are great, but I find some of my colleagues challenging on a daily basis and if I am really honest I find the work less interesting than my previous work, expectations are definitely less, in fact it could be a bit cushy in time, which isn't really what I'm after. Mostly wfh which I am not sure about either.

I applied for another job, somewhere easily commutable from where I live now, more cash, better pension scheme, work almost identical to what I did in the company I stayed for 15 years for. I know a couple of people who work there, they are happy, wholly recommend it etc. A former colleague works there, she's really happy, felt well supported through illness, can't imagine wanting to leave.

I applied after a week where I remember feeling a sinking feeling when I thought about going into work each day, I was literally waking up dreading it. I've managed to shift my mindset a bit in the last month or so, so it is now getting to me less tbh.

Have I given my current job enough time (7 months)? Will it change? I don't think it will - I'm a sticker, 15 years, 8 years, 10 years in former roles so it doesn't feel like me leaving after 7 months tbh, but I either need to stick with it and ride it out or jump now.

If you've really not gelled with a job has it changed in time?

For me personally, no. Tbh if I look back, there’s an aspect of one job I did that made me miserable for 6 years. I finally identified a job to apply for in the same profession that got me out of having to do that aspect, and it has revolutionised my life.

You’re clearly not a kid. Trust your knowledge and experience.

Its not the job for you. No shame in moving on. I've only ever done one job that I wasnt sure about early on, and funnily enough I'm leaving soon after less than 18 month in role (I usually do 8 years plus).

after a reshuffle at work I ended up in a new job, took some of my old work with me but essentially left the work I loved behind. The new work is less interesting. I had little choice in it all. I was unhappy, looked for other jobs, nearly took one, then after a year or so, I started to like it okay. I started to notice the upsides more. I think it’s possible to grow into a new job. So it could happen for you.

Thanks @PermanentTemporary . You are right, not a kid. I've been in senior roles for a long time. I've never experienced anything like this, I really thought I would love my new role. I don't really like either the work or culture, then wonder if I am stupid, my colleagues love their roles which are wfh and cushy.

That's interesting @regista, I had thought about embracing it and giving it a year, but opportunities like the one I've been offered don't come up very often so I've decided to jump ship. Interestingly, I now know that the last person who left the organisaion joined with a very similar background to me and left fairly quickly for exactly the same reasons.

Deffo jump ship if you can.

I always prided myself on being a sticker also. I went into a job and the very first day came home and said to DH 'It's awful there- there is a really strange vibe in the office'.

I dragged myself through 4 years of it while trying to tell myself the issue was my attitude. I would put motivational post it notes on my computer which I would try and use to buck me up.

I finally left and actually the whole experience was so bad that I needed a year off to recover and have never quite regained my confidence.

Thank you @WeAreNotOutnumbered , sorry you went through that.

Haven't said I don't think, but I am 54 and feel like if I stay I will end up being here until I retire because whilst my experience is valued/required as SLT ageism is real.

I had this happen about 25 years ago. Left after about five months. Never regretted it.

I was a lot younger than 54 and had no family responsibilities at the time though, very different from the OP.