First job how long?

LegacyUser

Wasnt sure where to post this PI or Work Problems.

After graduating from a Dublin college I was unemployed for 6 months and I managed to get a job with a big company in Belfast and I have been there for nearly a year now. I got 3 months training before I started my job (pretty much unheard of) and have been sent on two training courses with another in two months time since starting in my team. I am also getting valuable experience from working in the team.

But recently I have become really unmotivated doing my job and it has shown in my work. I would be assigned a task to do with a ETA of 4 days, two weeks later I get it done. For the days leading up to Christmas and NY I spent more time on boards.ie then doing actual work. The standard of my work isnt all the good either as I am always make mistakes.

I was given a complex programming task but I couldnt really do a whole lot on it as I was completely lost in the code it was taken off me and given to more senior guys to finish off.

The same thing happened to a the guy I replaced (there was a few months overlap form when I started to when he left) and he never seen development work again and I am worried that I wont either.

TBH I never see myself being at the same standard as the guys on my team. They are really good developers and highly motivated but are 7 or so years older then me.

I really want to try working abroad and my company has an office in nearly every country you can think of so I can transfer easily enough. But I am worried about few things
1. It is only now that I kinda have an idea what my team actually do so I would be starting from square one.
2. Not ready to hit the ground running.
3. Moved to Belfast a year ago and still I dont know anyone so would be afraid it would be the same if I moved. But the job requires long hours so it is hard for me to meet people as I dont have a lot of free time and the fact I am never there at weekends.

I know I could always transfer to Dublin (where a lot of my mates are) but I always wanted to try different places then when I am older moved back to Dublin.

So how long should I stay in my first job?

Why would another office want you when you're working so badly? Do you really think it would be that easy to transfer? What will stop you from getting bored again once you've changed location? You'll still have to go to work every day regardless of what you do after hours.

You said your mates are in dublin and you find it hard to make friends somewhere different. What will change if you move abroad?


I think you should pull your socks up and work harder, learn more, and think about moving again sometime in the near future. That way you will be in a better position to make full use of it.

If you are lost in the work you are doing then ask for help from the others. That way you still get to do the work but you also get to learn something. Take some initiative and don't be waiting around for the work to be taken off you, or it all will!! Surely you could even ask to sit in on them doing it to learn, or ask for advice how to break it down into manageable chunks, etc

LegacyUser

If I was you, I'd definitely take advantage of a transfer opportunity.

It's horrible being an a job you're not motivated for (especially a demanding one, which it sounds like yours is), and perhaps a change of scenery and a little change of pace could help you out there.

And if it doesn't, at least your sorted out in a new location with a bit of money in your pocket, and you can always take it from there.

Different countries and cultures have different ways of thinking and behaving, and perhaps a little break from what you're used to would be a mind opener as well.

mikemac1

Transfers and new opportunities go to the best staff, not the worst staff.
Why would they approve you for a transfer?

And no matter where you go you take yourself with you.
Belfast is an extremly friendly city, lots of students and young people with Queens and then Jordanstown just outside. You say you're working long hours but if you're not meeting new people and making friends, well it's not going to be any easier elsewhere. And stop going home every weekend, mix up your routine

It's January, a new year. Write up a development plan for yourself and what you need to work on. Do it for your own records, if you want to discuss with the boss that's your own decision
It seems a good company so if you need a course or training they might pay for it.

Come back here in a years time and see how you're getting on. It realy seems a good company to be in.
However one day soon they may shaft you to a corner and tell you to file cabinets and pack away records. Donkey work


As for motivation, well I can be incredibly lazy at times.
However in work I've an attitude that nobody will beat me. If a senior took work off me I'd be insulted and if a new hire took work off me I'd be doubly insulted.
I watch my teammates stats and I'll be the best dammit.

A competitive streak can help you along.
But don't tell people you do this, just a game you play in your head