Jump before I’m pushed?
Discussion
To cut a long story short, I was made redundant a few months ago. It was a huge shock, but I found another job quickly. It was a slight career change but I didn’t want to be out of work. I was worried about the effects on my financially and mentally.
I’ve been in the new job about two months into a six month probation period. And so far it’s not going well, I have made a few minor mistakes, some of my colleagues have been quite mean at pointing these out. I’m quite a private person generally and I don’t feel the team has accepted me. The job is also quite different from the job description and tbh if I’d known the full responsibilities beforehand I would have known it wasn’t a great fit for me before accepting the job.
So basically, I suspect I’m going to fail my probation period. Part of the decision to keep employees relies on asking colleagues what they think of the new person and I don’t think they will give me glowing reports. I really don’t want to be out of work, but it will be hard to go to interviews while I’m working there as they want about six weeks notice for even an afternoon off.
So my question is - do I just leave before I’m certain they’re going to get rid of me to avoid Future employers being told I failed my probation (that won’t look good on a reference) or stick it out and wait for them to sack me?
I’ve been in the new job about two months into a six month probation period. And so far it’s not going well, I have made a few minor mistakes, some of my colleagues have been quite mean at pointing these out. I’m quite a private person generally and I don’t feel the team has accepted me. The job is also quite different from the job description and tbh if I’d known the full responsibilities beforehand I would have known it wasn’t a great fit for me before accepting the job.
So basically, I suspect I’m going to fail my probation period. Part of the decision to keep employees relies on asking colleagues what they think of the new person and I don’t think they will give me glowing reports. I really don’t want to be out of work, but it will be hard to go to interviews while I’m working there as they want about six weeks notice for even an afternoon off.
So my question is - do I just leave before I’m certain they’re going to get rid of me to avoid Future employers being told I failed my probation (that won’t look good on a reference) or stick it out and wait for them to sack me?
I'd say the main question is do you want to jump?
You'll likely be able to find another job sure, but although you say this new job isn't a great fit, if you like it, and think you could improve, then work hard and overcome the obstacles. Don't worry about your colleagues. Its a bit poor of them not to cut you some slack this early in, but the decent ones will come around once they see you're working hard to do well.
That being said, I know what it's like to work in that kind of atmosphere, and this early in, and if passing probation seems unlikely, then it would be hard for me not to leave.
You'll likely be able to find another job sure, but although you say this new job isn't a great fit, if you like it, and think you could improve, then work hard and overcome the obstacles. Don't worry about your colleagues. Its a bit poor of them not to cut you some slack this early in, but the decent ones will come around once they see you're working hard to do well.
That being said, I know what it's like to work in that kind of atmosphere, and this early in, and if passing probation seems unlikely, then it would be hard for me not to leave.
In your shoes, it sounds to me like you'd be better off moving now, but that's based on the following assumptions.
You don't really want/like the job anyway and think you can find a better one.
You are able to financially survive without a job before you think you can find another.
But there are other ways to skin it.
You could speak to your employer and explain you've been disappointed with your start, it's not a fair reflection of your ability and that you'd like to use the next 4months to tweak your role to something your best suited to. If they see a future for you in the company, and you can carve out the right thing, then this could be an awesome result. But only if you want to stay there.
If someone was made redundant and had a 3month gap in their CV before applying to a new role, I'd be happy with that and assumed they took a bit of time off between jobs (I would), leaving a place after 6-12months looks worse to me than a small gap. But a long period of unemployment looks worse, so it really depends on your local job market and skills.
You don't really want/like the job anyway and think you can find a better one.
You are able to financially survive without a job before you think you can find another.
But there are other ways to skin it.
You could speak to your employer and explain you've been disappointed with your start, it's not a fair reflection of your ability and that you'd like to use the next 4months to tweak your role to something your best suited to. If they see a future for you in the company, and you can carve out the right thing, then this could be an awesome result. But only if you want to stay there.
If someone was made redundant and had a 3month gap in their CV before applying to a new role, I'd be happy with that and assumed they took a bit of time off between jobs (I would), leaving a place after 6-12months looks worse to me than a small gap. But a long period of unemployment looks worse, so it really depends on your local job market and skills.
Purple845 said:
The job is also quite different from the job description and tbh if I’d known the full responsibilities beforehand I would have known it wasn’t a great fit for me before accepting the job.
This is such a common predicament that I usually lay the blame at the employee for failing to carry out their due diligence, regardless of the circumstances; getting it right first time really is worth the required upfront investment.Having shared that; if you've genuinely got it wrong and sense there's no prospect of recovery, then I would counsel that you should begin the search for your new role immediately. I'd speak to your line manager and declare you're intent and seek their support to authorise leave as and when you secure any interviews. This up front and transparent approach is usually good for all parties concerned. And you just never know, it may trigger a discussion that you may not have been anticipating in terms of things maybe not being as bleak as you imagine. Good luck!
chunder27 said:
I dont think it's really easy actually!
If you are out of work you can interview quicker and be more immediate without having to work notice etc.
All you have to do is explain why you left, hardly difficult.
Looking for your next role whilst unemployed does bring some additional challenges versus when in employment; much of it is phsycological.If you are out of work you can interview quicker and be more immediate without having to work notice etc.
All you have to do is explain why you left, hardly difficult.
You may trigger an unconscious bias in the hiring manager (they may make flawed assumptions as to why you’re unemployed despite what you may say). You may also subconsciously try too hard when unemployed to secure that next role. This could be noticed by the hiring manager as you being desperate or you may take a role that’s not quite the best fit in an attempt to secure early employment.
So whilst it’s not impossible, there are additional risks to be aware of.
Been there done that - remember being told by everyone to stick at the worst job ever with a micro manager breathing down my neck, making me stay late, work never good enough, etc - utterly despised the place. I tried to stick it a little longer (a couple of extra months); literally every single day was weighing me down. Those 2 months felt like 2 years. My confidence was shot to pieces; I started doubting myself and questioning my own knowledge and experience.
One day I just could not stick at it any more, despite efforts to interview elsewhere I was just stuck somewhere I knew I should not be. I handed in my notice with no job to go to - right when the financial crash happened.
BEST MOVE EVER!
I was out of work for 2-3 months, everyone saying I should have stayed but at the end of the day they weren't the one's living the nightmare dreading going into work each day.
When an employer wants a job filled and you are good enough with no dodgy past then they will perfectly understand your predicament. It's only when you build up a history of quitting soon after taking a job they'll think "well...you're just going to do that to me, so forget it".
Everyone makes mistakes and you learn from them. Everyone ends up with the job from hell - or at least one they disliked or turned out different from expectations. That's life. If you can afford to quit to dedicate time off to go to new interviews go for it.
On the flip side I've lost out on jobs because I was still in employment and someone else was available immediately. It's swings and roundabouts - go with your gut feel as you'll get a lot of different opinions.
Note: six weeks notice to book a measly afternoon off is not normal, especially when on a probation period. Seems very harsh - max two weeks for one afternoon should be fine at most places (most companies would be fine asking for a Thursday afternoon off when it's already Tuesday). Do you really want to work at a place like that when many others are much more chilled out and treat you as a person?
One day I just could not stick at it any more, despite efforts to interview elsewhere I was just stuck somewhere I knew I should not be. I handed in my notice with no job to go to - right when the financial crash happened.
BEST MOVE EVER!
I was out of work for 2-3 months, everyone saying I should have stayed but at the end of the day they weren't the one's living the nightmare dreading going into work each day.
When an employer wants a job filled and you are good enough with no dodgy past then they will perfectly understand your predicament. It's only when you build up a history of quitting soon after taking a job they'll think "well...you're just going to do that to me, so forget it".
Everyone makes mistakes and you learn from them. Everyone ends up with the job from hell - or at least one they disliked or turned out different from expectations. That's life. If you can afford to quit to dedicate time off to go to new interviews go for it.
On the flip side I've lost out on jobs because I was still in employment and someone else was available immediately. It's swings and roundabouts - go with your gut feel as you'll get a lot of different opinions.
Note: six weeks notice to book a measly afternoon off is not normal, especially when on a probation period. Seems very harsh - max two weeks for one afternoon should be fine at most places (most companies would be fine asking for a Thursday afternoon off when it's already Tuesday). Do you really want to work at a place like that when many others are much more chilled out and treat you as a person?
Edited by Anubis on Tuesday 19th June 14:14
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