Sticking with a job that isn't working or look for another job

pauliebdub

Here is my dilemma :

Joined the public sector a number of months back as a HEO in the IT division, quite a busy and challenging role that is very different from anything I've done before. My boss is quite demanding, we haven't really gelled and I've struggled to fit in since I joined. I had my 3 month review recently which I failed and received quite a lot of negative feedback, overall I think it was a bit harsh but I've taken it on board and doing my best with it.

Ultimately I'd like the job to work out but I'm also worried about the prospect of being unemployed next year if my manager still isn't happy. I think there is a fair chance of that happening.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has been in a similar position, should I persevere with it or throw in the towel and look for another job that more closely matches my experience. I'm really annoyed about it and a bit worried to be honest. Many thanks.

LimeFruitGum

I was in a similar position: I hadn't failed as such, but the hiring manager said he "wasn't feeling it" at the 3 month check-in. Neither was I, to be honest. I found him very hands off, robotic, unfriendly and unapproachable. I could do the job, but I found it so bloody dull. I think it really needed a number cruncher and I'm more of a process analyst.

This was after the manager headhunted me on LinkedIn and fasttracked me through the interview process, so probably "buyer's remorse" on his end, but I'd say don't tell a candidate that you want their fresh perspective etc and then complain when you get it. No matter what I did or achieved, this guy still thought I was a dopey cow. If I asked him a question to clarify, he would tell me to ask someone else. I would have had to stay a year before I could transfer to another department. My instant reaction to that thought was "urgh no", well then that's my answer: it isn't for me, so get out.

I started applying for other jobs after that and I gave my notice at 5 months, which meant I could leave after a week instead of a 3 month notice period because that's how much I grew to hate the place. I had spoken to a couple of colleagues discreetly in the meantime about the culture, the managers etc., and yeah, I wasn't on my own.

It is your career, you take control of it. Reflect as well and be honest + as objective as possible. You can have a job that stretches you, but what is the line between a stretch and a gap? What results were you expected to deliver and why didn't that happen? From the other side of the fence: I've been in situations where I didn't have a particularly great list of applicants to choose from and I had to make a choice about whether to pick someone who I thought might grow into the role, or keep looking for a more accomplished candidate.

Flinty997

Trust your gut.

I would do both. Work your butt off but also work on the backup plan. I don't think there's any other choice.

taratee

Sounds like it's time to cut your losses and move on. Based on the feedback you've received in your reviews, coupled with the fact that you haven't gelled with your boss and you don't fit in, the chances of you being able to fix these issues through hard work alone are quite low. Sometimes things don't work out and there is nothing you can do about it.

A similar situation arose in one of the teams where I work a few months back. The manager is an interesting character. Have dealt with her a few times myself and she brands herself as being driven, loud and no-nonsense etc (her exact words). Anyway, a new hire; senior in his field; arrived. She was all over him from day one. Reviews submitted about him on month one and month three were both negative. The employee kept working away, hitting his targets etc but she wanted him gone at month six at all costs. He took issue with it and went to HR.

HR asked me to review his work. I reviewed it and I met with him in person. Couldn't find fault with anything he had done. Lovely man in person with buckets load of experience. I really liked him. He couldn't understand what the problem was. Met with HR and the manager in question with my feedback. The manager was not happy. Said she had worked as a senior xx before and she knew that the work was "f'in simple" (it wasn't) and it should only take a few mins to do jobs that were taking him a 0.5 days to do. I disagreed. Based on her LinkedIn profile, she worked as a non-senior xx for six months. This man had well over a decade's experience on her. Anyway, she got her way and he finished up in the organisation that Friday. He could have worked all the hours God sends and it still wouldn't have been enough.