Jacking in your job
Discussion
Mr Spoon said:
Rarely does good advice and internet forum mix, but this is an example of that.
I can echo this, often ideas can be romanticised and rose tinted. Some people who have left their jobs may well have had nothing in the background and rolled the dice and made their own luck. Lots will have assets, willing partners, no mortgage...
I tend to find that value and appreciation lacking as well as limited opportunities to progress can dismay the most loyal and enthusiastic of employees.
The reality of the situation might be different.
True; I did once leave a job after only two weeks: I'd been made redundant and had a pay out, but started this new job the next working day after I'd finished the one I'd been made redundant from. The new job turned out to be nothing like it had seemed at the interview; far too many things to go into but it was horrible, oppressive and micromanaged beyond belief (including cameras on the staff!!).I can echo this, often ideas can be romanticised and rose tinted. Some people who have left their jobs may well have had nothing in the background and rolled the dice and made their own luck. Lots will have assets, willing partners, no mortgage...
I tend to find that value and appreciation lacking as well as limited opportunities to progress can dismay the most loyal and enthusiastic of employees.
The reality of the situation might be different.
I quit and we had a mortgage and childcare though I had my redundancy money and some savings to keep me going while I looked for another job. It was scary, but I know I'd have gone mad if I'd stayed and I couldn't look for another job while I carried on there. Found my current job after a 2 month search and lots of interviews. It's lasted nearly 17 years and would have lasted longer if I was still just 'on the tools' but hey ho.
Note the mention of 'some savings' above: If we'd borrowed as much as the banks were throwing at us for a bigger house or bought loads of stuff on credit I wouldn't have had that cushion. With the redundancy money and the savings I had about 8 months of wages if I'd needed it and could have made it last out much longer if I'd had to. I wasn't 'brave' but had made sure I wasn't putting my house and family at risk before I left.
If you end up mortgaged to the hilt or live up to your income then I'm sure it would be a lot braver person than I to leave a job like that and I wouldn't advise it either.
I too am in a similar situation, although for me the small team I am in and my immediate manager really are excellent and we support and help each other enormously. It is the wider organisational culture that is decimating our team and the value and satisfaction of our roles right now, no one in the team Is happy in their job due to this. This week has been so demoralising and stressful that today I’ve left work physically unwell and dreading next week. It is a difficult call to follow the OP’s idea as for me I am a lot younger with mortgage, childcare etc but it isn’t half tempting to stick in the notice, refresh for a month or two and put some feelers out. Good luck OP and do let us know how it goes.
Mr Spoon said:
dibbers006 said:
For anyone coming cold to these sort of threads. Be cautious.
It's easy to get swept up in the idea and be inspired by others actions and outcomes.
But there is a lot of survivor-bias here. Not as many people are going to admit to ditching a secure 9-5 paying the mortgage and building retirement to shoot for their dream which they needed a lightening bolt up the arse and hard work to achieve when the outcome...
... was to lose everything and be eating beans out of a washing machine on their ex-sister-in-laws front yard, estranged children, health complications, and now three years behind the curve of tech / skills / relevant current business knowledge etc.
Most of these successes seem to come from generally fit and healthy, people who had some degree of fall back should the worst happen. They may deny it. But they see the 'worst' as requiring government assistance, or losing a fixed asset or savings.
You may have a hell of a lot more to lose than that.
Your mileage may vary.
Rarely does good advice and internet forum mix, but this is an example of that. It's easy to get swept up in the idea and be inspired by others actions and outcomes.
But there is a lot of survivor-bias here. Not as many people are going to admit to ditching a secure 9-5 paying the mortgage and building retirement to shoot for their dream which they needed a lightening bolt up the arse and hard work to achieve when the outcome...
... was to lose everything and be eating beans out of a washing machine on their ex-sister-in-laws front yard, estranged children, health complications, and now three years behind the curve of tech / skills / relevant current business knowledge etc.
Most of these successes seem to come from generally fit and healthy, people who had some degree of fall back should the worst happen. They may deny it. But they see the 'worst' as requiring government assistance, or losing a fixed asset or savings.
You may have a hell of a lot more to lose than that.
Your mileage may vary.
I can echo this, often ideas can be romanticised and rose tinted. Some people who have left their jobs may well have had nothing in the background and rolled the dice and made their own luck. Lots will have assets, willing partners, no mortgage...
I tend to find that value and appreciation lacking as well as limited opportunities to progress can dismay the most loyal and enthusiastic of employees.
The reality of the situation might be different.
We had a guy who started with us last summer. Worked really hard and was good at the job. He went to visit family abroad over Christmas and got offered a job back there, so he put his notice in when he came back after Christmas. I recently heard that it didn't work out and now he wants to come back to us. I half expected the stuffy corporate side to be against the idea, but as we said; he won't need any new starter training and can hit the ground running so we'd be cutting our nose off to spite our face if we turned him down.
Of course he may do the same thing again in six months time, but at least he will help with covering jobs in the meantime even if it did work out like that, but I think he's set to stay this time.
As much as I'll be glad to leave my firm in 4 weeks and 6 days time
I'm not burning any bridges as you never know how things might change in the future.
Of course he may do the same thing again in six months time, but at least he will help with covering jobs in the meantime even if it did work out like that, but I think he's set to stay this time.
As much as I'll be glad to leave my firm in 4 weeks and 6 days time
I'm not burning any bridges as you never know how things might change in the future.Arnold Cunningham said:
_Mja_ said:
Interesting and timley thread. Does seem to be common theme for c40 year olds. I'm 39, been working in accountancy for 20 years and am bored senseless. It is getting to the point where I spend more energy to motivate myself to do work than the work it self. I get very little satisfaction out the work and actually really can't stand many of the stereotypical finance people - they the polar opposite to me.
I am a practical bloke at heart, should have done some engineering related. I can weld, paint, do most mechanical work on cars, plumb, fit kitchens and bathrooms. I did a short stint (4 years) in financial systems, learnt SQL built databases and did find that pretty interesting
You probably need to send me your CV and a bit of spheel about yourself. Where in the country do you live?I am a practical bloke at heart, should have done some engineering related. I can weld, paint, do most mechanical work on cars, plumb, fit kitchens and bathrooms. I did a short stint (4 years) in financial systems, learnt SQL built databases and did find that pretty interesting
Needed to read this thread, so thankyou to all those who've contributed.
I'm in a similar situation - 49yrs old, lecturer in a niche field (audio/production). Done it both as a producer and lecturer for about 25years now, although was involved from the age of 16.
Qualified up to L7 in Strategic Management (I also manage programmes and students, so lots of transferrable skills).
Finding myself wanting to do *something* else - but I don't know what. I can nail it down to something where my skills have VALUE and I'm rewarded as such.
I do have the usual commitments though, so time is somewhat on my side, although I'm acutely aware that my age could be a problem.
All I know is that I'm unhappy, unappreciated and not being paid what I'm worth. Something has to change.
Will be bookmarking this thread.
I'm in a similar situation - 49yrs old, lecturer in a niche field (audio/production). Done it both as a producer and lecturer for about 25years now, although was involved from the age of 16.
Qualified up to L7 in Strategic Management (I also manage programmes and students, so lots of transferrable skills).
Finding myself wanting to do *something* else - but I don't know what. I can nail it down to something where my skills have VALUE and I'm rewarded as such.
I do have the usual commitments though, so time is somewhat on my side, although I'm acutely aware that my age could be a problem.
All I know is that I'm unhappy, unappreciated and not being paid what I'm worth. Something has to change.
Will be bookmarking this thread.
Well I'm working my last day today. Just shy of 14 years service, having been here since I left school. Slightly anxious about the whole ordeal to be honest. Was sat at home last night thinking why the f
k have i sacked in something which is pretty much a life of comfort and stability.
New company seems very organised... I've a laptop and monitor, and an itinerary for next week. Will see how long it is until the 42 mile commute starts becoming a pain.
k have i sacked in something which is pretty much a life of comfort and stability. New company seems very organised... I've a laptop and monitor, and an itinerary for next week. Will see how long it is until the 42 mile commute starts becoming a pain.
Mr Spoon said:
V8mate said:
Rowe said:
New company ... Will see how long it is until the 42 mile commute starts becoming a pain.
Usually around the first Friday.Going way back to the Eighties, I worked in an iron foundry. We were contracted to manufacture Hyster forklift counterweights. On my first day in the job, I was shown what I had to do by a co-worker. I'd to scrape all the hot sand off the cast weights and using a sledgehammer, knock all the heads and gates off.
The co-worker said to me, "Okay, are you happy with that? But let me tell you something else, 'DON'T be killing yourself!" What he meant was that it was a kind of unwritten, fraternal rule to never put yourself forward as a "Deus ex Machina". As the worker said, "You'll just get more work - and no thanks for it".
Personally, If was in your shoes, I'd quit the job too. But I think it's much easier to get another job if you're already in one. Another poster has mentioned "idiots in management". Believe me, I could bust the bandwidth with stories of idiot managers.
The co-worker said to me, "Okay, are you happy with that? But let me tell you something else, 'DON'T be killing yourself!" What he meant was that it was a kind of unwritten, fraternal rule to never put yourself forward as a "Deus ex Machina". As the worker said, "You'll just get more work - and no thanks for it".
Personally, If was in your shoes, I'd quit the job too. But I think it's much easier to get another job if you're already in one. Another poster has mentioned "idiots in management". Believe me, I could bust the bandwidth with stories of idiot managers.
Edited by Langweilig on Wednesday 20th April 09:41
OP here.
I'm still in the same job, but finding it very frustrating and desperate for a change.
I think that my best option for me would be to re-train as something more practical, with less bullst and busy/non-work bks in the never-ending "design" process and hopefully more achievement and some satisfaction. I expect that trying to establish myself in order to make a reasonable living will be difficult.
I'm going to look seriously into the options.
Moving to a more rural, hill-country location appeals to me (and, on reflection, I should have done so at a critical juncture about 20 years ago, but didn't), but would be unfair to impose on the rest of my family.
I'm still in the same job, but finding it very frustrating and desperate for a change.
I think that my best option for me would be to re-train as something more practical, with less bulls
t and busy/non-work bks in the never-ending "design" process and hopefully more achievement and some satisfaction. I expect that trying to establish myself in order to make a reasonable living will be difficult.I'm going to look seriously into the options.
Moving to a more rural, hill-country location appeals to me (and, on reflection, I should have done so at a critical juncture about 20 years ago, but didn't), but would be unfair to impose on the rest of my family.
Rowe said:
Having been at my new place for 2 weeks, I really don’t understand why I left it so long sticking with my original (and only) employer. It’s almost like I had convinced myself I would be there for life.
Maybe try another company before doing something drastic like retraining.
Absolutely this.Maybe try another company before doing something drastic like retraining.
The world of work has changed a lot in the last year - I started looking for a new role three weeks ago and have been offered a really good position this morning. This time last year there wasn't a lot out there for a mid-50s FD looking for a good package, interesting role and equity. 2022 really is different - within 2 weeks of looking I was in three processes, and one of them finalised really quickly.
OP, get out there looking now. Businesses in pretty much every sector are hiring, and it might just be that you can change your life within a month or so. It could be that I'm a superstar (er, no!) or just got lucky (entirely possible) but the market is currently hotter than you can imagine and businesses are jumping on anything approaching talent.
Good luck to all jobseekers out there.
Just stumbled across this thread. I’m in my mid 40’s.
I’m mid way through similar. I’d had enough of my previous employer and their ways, so just before covid, I found a chance to escape to a smaller competitor. Great products, great team, so it was ideal.
Roll on 2 years, and my old employer has bought out the new place. FFS…
It was a great feeling to leave the old place. I went from a technical role to a technical sales role. I like meeting people and with my technical experience it made sense. It also stretched my experience and turned a bland cv into something a bit marketable. I saw it as an opportunity that if it worked out it would be great, and if it didn’t, well my cv was better for it.
Obviously I didn’t quite plan for the current scenario which seems like being trapped in a revolving door or the maybe the closing scenes of The Great Escape. Anyway, I also made sure I networked hard with in the broader industry and I’m hoping that will pay off with regard to the next step.
Certainly felt like a kick in the teeth when the ownership change occurred, but with some determination on my part I’ve managed to find my focus, and get some irons in the fire.
It’s definitely an age thing. You get to that middle point where you have a good load of experience. Younger colleagues lack experience and older more senior colleagues in my mind have lots of experience but are often out of touch or operating beyond their actual capabilities.
I’m mid way through similar. I’d had enough of my previous employer and their ways, so just before covid, I found a chance to escape to a smaller competitor. Great products, great team, so it was ideal.
Roll on 2 years, and my old employer has bought out the new place. FFS…
It was a great feeling to leave the old place. I went from a technical role to a technical sales role. I like meeting people and with my technical experience it made sense. It also stretched my experience and turned a bland cv into something a bit marketable. I saw it as an opportunity that if it worked out it would be great, and if it didn’t, well my cv was better for it.
Obviously I didn’t quite plan for the current scenario which seems like being trapped in a revolving door or the maybe the closing scenes of The Great Escape. Anyway, I also made sure I networked hard with in the broader industry and I’m hoping that will pay off with regard to the next step.
Certainly felt like a kick in the teeth when the ownership change occurred, but with some determination on my part I’ve managed to find my focus, and get some irons in the fire.
It’s definitely an age thing. You get to that middle point where you have a good load of experience. Younger colleagues lack experience and older more senior colleagues in my mind have lots of experience but are often out of touch or operating beyond their actual capabilities.
Bogsye said:
Just stumbled across this thread. I’m in my mid 40’s.
I’m mid way through similar. I’d had enough of my previous employer and their ways, so just before covid, I found a chance to escape to a smaller competitor. Great products, great team, so it was ideal.
Roll on 2 years, and my old employer has bought out the new place. FFS…
It was a great feeling to leave the old place. I went from a technical role to a technical sales role. I like meeting people and with my technical experience it made sense. It also stretched my experience and turned a bland cv into something a bit marketable. I saw it as an opportunity that if it worked out it would be great, and if it didn’t, well my cv was better for it.
Obviously I didn’t quite plan for the current scenario which seems like being trapped in a revolving door or the maybe the closing scenes of The Great Escape. Anyway, I also made sure I networked hard with in the broader industry and I’m hoping that will pay off with regard to the next step.
Certainly felt like a kick in the teeth when the ownership change occurred, but with some determination on my part I’ve managed to find my focus, and get some irons in the fire.
It’s definitely an age thing. You get to that middle point where you have a good load of experience. Younger colleagues lack experience and older more senior colleagues in my mind have lots of experience but are often out of touch or operating beyond their actual capabilities.
Good luck to you.I’m mid way through similar. I’d had enough of my previous employer and their ways, so just before covid, I found a chance to escape to a smaller competitor. Great products, great team, so it was ideal.
Roll on 2 years, and my old employer has bought out the new place. FFS…
It was a great feeling to leave the old place. I went from a technical role to a technical sales role. I like meeting people and with my technical experience it made sense. It also stretched my experience and turned a bland cv into something a bit marketable. I saw it as an opportunity that if it worked out it would be great, and if it didn’t, well my cv was better for it.
Obviously I didn’t quite plan for the current scenario which seems like being trapped in a revolving door or the maybe the closing scenes of The Great Escape. Anyway, I also made sure I networked hard with in the broader industry and I’m hoping that will pay off with regard to the next step.
Certainly felt like a kick in the teeth when the ownership change occurred, but with some determination on my part I’ve managed to find my focus, and get some irons in the fire.
It’s definitely an age thing. You get to that middle point where you have a good load of experience. Younger colleagues lack experience and older more senior colleagues in my mind have lots of experience but are often out of touch or operating beyond their actual capabilities.
Re experience, it was interesting meeting people this time around - I'm rather obviously not in my 30s or 40s (all the hair is there but it's now grey-verging-on-white) and clearly I was being assessed on my energy levels and whether I was, to your point, out of touch. Seems that hard-won experience (have the war wounds, learned from them) is very highly valued at the moment. That and my dazzling good looks, obviously.
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