Is 6 months in a job long enough to know if it's right for you?

MomoIreland · 18-03-2007 10:56PM #1

Been working in a job for 6 months now and I am feeling very stressed and depressed about it. I don't know if I have given the job enough of a chance, but lately I find myself wondering if I should continue or find something that suits me more.

Any input would be greatly appreciated

mazroo · 18-03-2007 11:10PM

Nope... i dont think so... six months is plenty of time to settle.. your crap feelings most deffinitly add to the feeling of not liking your job but..only one way to find that out.. if it were me i would change jobs if u have nothing holding you down... go for it... it could be the same again but then again... it cant really be much worse.. it could be the best move u ever make... i say take a leap... life is far to short to think maybe:)

MojoMaker · 18-03-2007 11:11PM

To be honest you know if you like a job and if it's good for you after about a month. You can usually spot the crappy jobs / the ones not suitable for you a lot quicker than that. But having a job generates a certain amount of inertia towards rejoining the employment treadmill, so it's often understandable that we maintain the status quo while in jobs we don't necessarily 'love'.

But yeah, 6 months is definitely long enough to have figured it out, and long enough that the pattern of the job will certainly be well established.

Persius · 19-03-2007 01:09AM

I personally thing 9 months is about right. But after 6 months you do need to be thinking of your options. In otherwords take a two-pronged approach. On the one hand, think of what could make your current job better. Think of some changes which could be made and discuss them with your boss. If he is totally unreceptive, then it's time to look for a new job. If he is receptive, give him three months to actually implement the changes. If there is no sign of the changes appearing after two months, start to look for a new job. Hopefully this won't take more than a month - bringing you up to nine months.

mad m · 19-03-2007 01:49AM

If your feel very stressed and depressed after 6months then can you see yourself there for another 6month or 6years? Think of your health if you are feeling those kinda feelings. Nothing worse than to go into a job feeling like that.

leeroybrown · 19-03-2007 03:35AM

It's difficult to give 'good' advice based on a generic question and the tiny amount of information above but you're feeling 'depressed' after six months in a job and you're not a drama queen then I would say that you are probably better off leaving.

After six months you should have a very good idea of what a job will be like in the longer term. I've had one job I knew was awful after about four months and I took far too long to get off my ass and leave. I had another where I started having doubts at about six months. Ironically what really made me consider it that time was when I finished my probation period and had my notice period extended to a month.

Also, bear in mind that while trying to leave after such a short time could appear to be a bad career move you are far better moving on quickly once you definitely decide you need to do it.

Anti · 19-03-2007 10:53AM

I think a few months is more then enough to know if the job is right for you. If your having doubts after 6 months then the job probably isnt right for you. But dont just walk out of a job, Start searching for a new one. Or if there is some feild of work you would rather be in, maybe you could train for it. Something new and exciting might be just what you need.

newestUser · 19-03-2007 02:23PM

As LeeroyBrown said, we don't know enough about your situation to comment. You're asking a very general question. Post more details, and we'll be able to help.

There's not much to some jobs, and you'll have figured them out pretty quick. And it may take you years to figure out other jobs.

More details please OP.

The Sweeper · 19-03-2007 03:49PM

As a self-employed person who is unemployable by anyone else because of what's considered a string of job-hopping on my CV, I think this:

* one month is long enough to know, gut feeling, if something is right for you. If it's not, leave. It's easy to hide a month on your CV - you can just leave it out.

* if you're there six months and it's hellish, either speak to management to change things, leave and make sure you pick better next time, or stick it for for at least a year for the sake of your CV, especially if it's a career job.

WhiteWashMan · 19-03-2007 05:20PM

3 months is when the honeymoon period wears off na dyou are expected to actually perform.

if it still aint working after 9 months, then you are there 3 months too long.

LegacyUser · 19-03-2007 06:04PM

'6 months is long enough to know if it is WRONG for you!!!. I would start looking around and dont do anything rash like walking out. As soon as you start looking and start having some success your mood will lift. Being in the wrong job is soul destroying but there are jobs out there so get looking and good luck.'

Talliesin · 19-03-2007 07:49PM

MomoIreland wrote:

Been working in a job for 6 months now and I am feeling very stressed and depressed about it.

Stress can come with otherwise very good jobs, but if it's making you feel depressed then 6 weeks is plenty, never mind 6 months.

MomoIreland · 19-03-2007 07:49PM

Thanks for all your comments guys, I do appreciate it.

As for more details, without getting into much about my employer or job (I don't know who reads this), I just don't get any satisfaction from the job. I am very good at it (I have received awards and recognition in the time I have been with the company), I don't feel any better about it. I don't think it's a case where I don't have the ability to do the job, it's more that I don't enjoy what I do. The pay is not really relevent, as I don't really worry too much about the salary (although I am paid well). What motivates me to do better is job satisfaction. It feels like it's missing in this job.

On the other hand, there are lots of opportunities to move up in the company. But at the same time I don't know if I want to be in a higher position doing the same thing. I am not sure if it's the tasks of the job or the industry which is bothering me more.

nesf · 19-03-2007 08:11PM

MomoIreland wrote:

I am not sure if it's the tasks of the job or the industry which is bothering me more.

That can be a very hard thing to figure out. You can end up going through several jobs in the same industry before figuring out that it's the industry and not specifically the individual jobs that was the main issue.

Also, never feel pressured to do something just because you are good at it. If you are in a position where it's tenable (i.e. you aren't reliant on your present salary from a mortgage or kids point of view) then you should look to focus on doing a job that you like doing, or at least don't dislike.

dodgyme · 20-03-2007 12:17PM

If you are not happy, leave!. not trying to be blunt but I would say that 6 months is a good period for both you and your employers to know if it right for either. In this case it is not right for you. I left a job of 7 yrs and joined a company where the atmosphere/stress was terrible and you could do nothing right. The signs were there straight away, i didnt choose to ignore them but just gave the company the benefit of the doubt at first. After 3-4 months the writing was on the wall. I left after 8 1/2 months (took 4 months looking) and took the first offer that came along. Am 6 months in that now and am happy enough. Basically I learned the lessons during previous jobs to know what to do and nothing counts but experience like that.

LegacyUser · 20-03-2007 01:19PM

6 months is planty of time, I was in a job 6 weeks and I knew it wasn't for me. Turned out the job tought the same. Just as well I had already started to look around. Kinda of funny, the MD said they didn't things working out with me and they would have to let me go, I laughed and said I was quitting anyway as I had found a new job. He wasn't to impressed with my comment.

Overheal · 20-03-2007 02:32PM

Take a week off. It helps loads.

Is 6 months in a job long enough to know if it's right for you?

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