New job, how long to give it before throwing in the towel?
Discussion
Background - I’ve was a fire alarm technician for 8 years, which for the most part I really enjoyed, being out and about to different sites everyday, early finishes, the simple things like popping for breakfast with the other lads etc
At the end of last year I changed jobs to be a supervisor, for the most part this is home based and I go out to sites to do audits, estimation, bit of design, general checking up on progress etc.
I thought i wanted to come off the tools but I am majorly struggling to adjust to work from home, I’m not especially busy currently but just find being home so boring, people say get your jobs done and watch tv etc but I don’t really like watching Tv and miss being out.
I’m also struggling with how pointless it all feels, I used to love getting a new site, having a job to do and being able to produce something and taking pride in how cables and equipment looked and found a sense of fulfilment in it, now it’s all emails and spredsheets and I just can’t help but think what is the actual point?
The role I took pays a larger salary which was my motivation for the job but overall I don’t actually earn any more, I had a lower salary but earned travel time, commission and overtime each month.
I can’t stop thinking about going back to the tools, how long should I give it? I was thinking 6 months but I was previously in a job I hated (static engineer) and I knew within weeks I wanted out, I stuck thst one out for a year for the right job to move to, my old manager would take me back (it was a internal company move)
The thing I’m worried about the most is further wage increases, I could earn more in the future as there’s more progression as project manager, senior management and other white collar positions, where as I was pretty much top of my earnings before.
At the end of last year I changed jobs to be a supervisor, for the most part this is home based and I go out to sites to do audits, estimation, bit of design, general checking up on progress etc.
I thought i wanted to come off the tools but I am majorly struggling to adjust to work from home, I’m not especially busy currently but just find being home so boring, people say get your jobs done and watch tv etc but I don’t really like watching Tv and miss being out.
I’m also struggling with how pointless it all feels, I used to love getting a new site, having a job to do and being able to produce something and taking pride in how cables and equipment looked and found a sense of fulfilment in it, now it’s all emails and spredsheets and I just can’t help but think what is the actual point?
The role I took pays a larger salary which was my motivation for the job but overall I don’t actually earn any more, I had a lower salary but earned travel time, commission and overtime each month.
I can’t stop thinking about going back to the tools, how long should I give it? I was thinking 6 months but I was previously in a job I hated (static engineer) and I knew within weeks I wanted out, I stuck thst one out for a year for the right job to move to, my old manager would take me back (it was a internal company move)
The thing I’m worried about the most is further wage increases, I could earn more in the future as there’s more progression as project manager, senior management and other white collar positions, where as I was pretty much top of my earnings before.
Money means nothing if you’re miserable.
I’m a service engineer and enjoy the different day different problem/place. Being stuck in the same place for weeks on end fills me with dread.
Is there a bit of flexibility to do a bit of both in your current role? Couple days on the tools and the rest in the misery of the office.
I’m a service engineer and enjoy the different day different problem/place. Being stuck in the same place for weeks on end fills me with dread.
Is there a bit of flexibility to do a bit of both in your current role? Couple days on the tools and the rest in the misery of the office.
sam.rog said:
Money means nothing if you’re miserable.
I’m a service engineer and enjoy the different day different problem/place. Being stuck in the same place for weeks on end fills me with dread.
Is there a bit of flexibility to do a bit of both in your current role? Couple days on the tools and the rest in the misery of the office.
I do get to do a bit of commissioning but the business department I’m in now is much smaller, and once you’ve done one you’ve kinda done them all.I’m a service engineer and enjoy the different day different problem/place. Being stuck in the same place for weeks on end fills me with dread.
Is there a bit of flexibility to do a bit of both in your current role? Couple days on the tools and the rest in the misery of the office.
Funny enough I was a service engineer before I moved into install
Working from home and not being busy is a horrible combination IME (ok, after the initial couple weeks when novelty wears off).
I made the move from a previous role which I found I had a lack of things to occupy my time and it eventually really got to me. Actually started feeling quite depressed and isolated. That was 5 years ago now and despite my new role being also largely home based it couldn’t be more different as I have plenty of work to keep me busy and so if I get some quieter times occasionally they’re nice rather than tedious.
You mentioned you only changed into the new role late last year (2021?). Do you expect your new role to get busier as you get stuck into the new Year/position? I think I’d personally set myself a time period, say 3 months, to see how I feel after that time and then decide whether things are improving or take action to do something different. New roles often take a while to settle into, but life’s also too short to spend your time unhappy/unfulfilled.
I made the move from a previous role which I found I had a lack of things to occupy my time and it eventually really got to me. Actually started feeling quite depressed and isolated. That was 5 years ago now and despite my new role being also largely home based it couldn’t be more different as I have plenty of work to keep me busy and so if I get some quieter times occasionally they’re nice rather than tedious.
You mentioned you only changed into the new role late last year (2021?). Do you expect your new role to get busier as you get stuck into the new Year/position? I think I’d personally set myself a time period, say 3 months, to see how I feel after that time and then decide whether things are improving or take action to do something different. New roles often take a while to settle into, but life’s also too short to spend your time unhappy/unfulfilled.
I think you need to give it a bit longer
I did a similar change, 13 years on the tools as an air con engineer. Mostly service and maintenance (only really did installs as an apprentice) and it was lots of travel and 'jobs per day' rather than 'days per job'. I then made a complete change, but with the same company to go as a supervisor on a static site looking after all mechanical services. Loads of things I knew very little about (process cooling towers, massive air compressors, steam boilers, MTHW heating) and being on the same site with the same commute every day. After a few weeks I hated it. Stuck at it though; after a year I was manager of that site, including electrical services and gradually added a few more contracts including some mobile ones which got me out and about again.
Is the role permanently home based, or will the end of Covid restrictions allow you get out on site more and work from a local office when it suits, meeting the engineers & surveying installs etc. It also sounds like you are starting from scratch, always seems as there is nothing to do when you don't have a back catalogue of jobs you just can't get shot of
Keep at it, think about what the role will be going forwards not what it is right now
I did a similar change, 13 years on the tools as an air con engineer. Mostly service and maintenance (only really did installs as an apprentice) and it was lots of travel and 'jobs per day' rather than 'days per job'. I then made a complete change, but with the same company to go as a supervisor on a static site looking after all mechanical services. Loads of things I knew very little about (process cooling towers, massive air compressors, steam boilers, MTHW heating) and being on the same site with the same commute every day. After a few weeks I hated it. Stuck at it though; after a year I was manager of that site, including electrical services and gradually added a few more contracts including some mobile ones which got me out and about again.
Is the role permanently home based, or will the end of Covid restrictions allow you get out on site more and work from a local office when it suits, meeting the engineers & surveying installs etc. It also sounds like you are starting from scratch, always seems as there is nothing to do when you don't have a back catalogue of jobs you just can't get shot of
Keep at it, think about what the role will be going forwards not what it is right now
Edited by mfmman on Monday 24th January 08:38
Would your current employer let you move back to being on the tools? Nothing wrong with taking a role with the best intentions but finding out that it doesn't work for you and it's not what you want to do. Assuming they'd be happy to have you back in your old role I'd have a word with your manager sooner rather than later - no point in being miserable in the the job you do.
Is there any other aspects to the job that you could see yourself doing even if you go back to your old role? I was in a similar situation a few years ago and I proposed I revert back to my old role but I was happy to keep the mentoring part of the new job as it was the only thing I liked about the role - so I went back to doing the same as before but with this added responsibility and it's opened up some more doors for me in the years since.
Is there any other aspects to the job that you could see yourself doing even if you go back to your old role? I was in a similar situation a few years ago and I proposed I revert back to my old role but I was happy to keep the mentoring part of the new job as it was the only thing I liked about the role - so I went back to doing the same as before but with this added responsibility and it's opened up some more doors for me in the years since.
parabolica said:
Would your current employer let you move back to being on the tools? Nothing wrong with taking a role with the best intentions but finding out that it doesn't work for you and it's not what you want to do. Assuming they'd be happy to have you back in your old role I'd have a word with your manager sooner rather than later - no point in being miserable in the the job you do.
Is there any other aspects to the job that you could see yourself doing even if you go back to your old role? I was in a similar situation a few years ago and I proposed I revert back to my old role but I was happy to keep the mentoring part of the new job as it was the only thing I liked about the role - so I went back to doing the same as before but with this added responsibility and it's opened up some more doors for me in the years since.
Thanks for the answers so far guys,Is there any other aspects to the job that you could see yourself doing even if you go back to your old role? I was in a similar situation a few years ago and I proposed I revert back to my old role but I was happy to keep the mentoring part of the new job as it was the only thing I liked about the role - so I went back to doing the same as before but with this added responsibility and it's opened up some more doors for me in the years since.
I think I will give it 6 months as I should be settled in and see if the work picks up, my manager said this is about as busy as it gets, we have few and far between but high value jobs so it’s not mega rushed and things just tick along really.
I could go back to my old role but this is under a different part of the business so nothing I could really take on as part of that, although I could become a enginner under my current manager I suppose.
This isn't a new story. But as someone asked (and I don't think you really answered it), can you do a bit of both eg 80% WfH and 20% installation or site visits? You could say that you think it would be useful for someone with your responsibility to be working a little bit in the field, speaking to customers f2f, keeping the technical skills current etc.
Hoofy said:
This isn't a new story. But as someone asked (and I don't think you really answered it), can you do a bit of both eg 80% WfH and 20% installation or site visits? You could say that you think it would be useful for someone with your responsibility to be working a little bit in the field, speaking to customers f2f, keeping the technical skills current etc.
^^^ this is a really good suggestion. Good for the company, good for you! Your living my life dude!
I was the exact same as you, come off the tools in the same industry, managing jobs, going to pointless meetings, looking over sub standard work installed by subbies.
I’ve now gone contracting back on the tools just doing install. my world has flipped 180, I wake up energised each morning, no more mind numbness, im taking pride in work more than ever, buying the tools I want, driving the work vehicle I want. Working less days but earning more.
Honestly think you are at the same crossroads I was at 2 years ago.
In our industry at the moment, being employed is a mugs game.
I was the exact same as you, come off the tools in the same industry, managing jobs, going to pointless meetings, looking over sub standard work installed by subbies.
I’ve now gone contracting back on the tools just doing install. my world has flipped 180, I wake up energised each morning, no more mind numbness, im taking pride in work more than ever, buying the tools I want, driving the work vehicle I want. Working less days but earning more.
Honestly think you are at the same crossroads I was at 2 years ago.
In our industry at the moment, being employed is a mugs game.
Similar background here; over 16 years with the company, having started as field engineer (and I still do half my time in the field as well). 'Supervising' isn't something I find fun, especially as time goes by with more and more pointless corperate stuff piled on top of us that I have to nag my already busy guys to do (effectively in their own time as they won't even give them a half day a month for admin. 
). Although in the field half my time, the supervising part often encroaches on those days too, so it interferes with me working on site. I don't think it's very professional to keep making phone calls/responding to emails, so that adds to the stress as well trying to juggle the two roles.
I much prefer being 'on the tools' as I'm confident in the job after all this time and I've known a lot of customers from previous jobs too, so over 20 years in some cases. However, I'm trapped and can't 'step down' in the current role. I'm actually off sick at the moment with a stress related illness and due a procedure tomorrow to investigate: Once I know the outcome of that (and whether it's worth hanging on to use my company private health) I'm putting my notice in. It's a pain that after 16 years I have to work 12 weeks, but hopefully that will pass soon enough.
I know it's not the PH way, but sometimes just sticking with what you feel comfortable with is better than being ambitious and trying to move up the ladder: In my case it's not as if I'm earning much more than my guys and they have much less hassle. There is a thread in The Lounge asking whether the OP should take a job for an extra £10k that will mean a worse work/home life balance and more responsibility. I avoided posting a flat 'NO' because I'm possibly much older, but I'll be looking in to see the responses, though I'm expecting many to suggest to 'go for it'. I'm no where near that difference for the extra hassle and encroachment into my work/life balance either, so I guess that taints my response.
Back to the original question: I would give it long enough that it won't look bad on your CV in terms of moving around too quickly: We recently rejected someone applying for an engineer role because they hadn't stuck any job for longer than 6 months over a number of years, so that was extreme. Maybe one short term job could be excused though and you can come up with a good reason (like you prefer being on the tools) if you apply somewhere else.
Other than that; make sure you build up some funds to fall back on in case it takes a while to find something else: I could retire when I finish, but it will be barely scrapping by unless I dip into savings, so I've put some money by which will help, but it won't last until I can start drawing my main private pension. I expect I'll take 3 months off and then look for work, so if it takes another 3-6 months it's not a problem, even longer if I had to, but in our line of work I know that it's hard to find engineers (as we've been looking for a while due to a long term illness).
All the best whatever you decide.
). Although in the field half my time, the supervising part often encroaches on those days too, so it interferes with me working on site. I don't think it's very professional to keep making phone calls/responding to emails, so that adds to the stress as well trying to juggle the two roles.I much prefer being 'on the tools' as I'm confident in the job after all this time and I've known a lot of customers from previous jobs too, so over 20 years in some cases. However, I'm trapped and can't 'step down' in the current role. I'm actually off sick at the moment with a stress related illness and due a procedure tomorrow to investigate: Once I know the outcome of that (and whether it's worth hanging on to use my company private health) I'm putting my notice in. It's a pain that after 16 years I have to work 12 weeks, but hopefully that will pass soon enough.
I know it's not the PH way, but sometimes just sticking with what you feel comfortable with is better than being ambitious and trying to move up the ladder: In my case it's not as if I'm earning much more than my guys and they have much less hassle. There is a thread in The Lounge asking whether the OP should take a job for an extra £10k that will mean a worse work/home life balance and more responsibility. I avoided posting a flat 'NO' because I'm possibly much older, but I'll be looking in to see the responses, though I'm expecting many to suggest to 'go for it'. I'm no where near that difference for the extra hassle and encroachment into my work/life balance either, so I guess that taints my response.
Back to the original question: I would give it long enough that it won't look bad on your CV in terms of moving around too quickly: We recently rejected someone applying for an engineer role because they hadn't stuck any job for longer than 6 months over a number of years, so that was extreme. Maybe one short term job could be excused though and you can come up with a good reason (like you prefer being on the tools) if you apply somewhere else.
Other than that; make sure you build up some funds to fall back on in case it takes a while to find something else: I could retire when I finish, but it will be barely scrapping by unless I dip into savings, so I've put some money by which will help, but it won't last until I can start drawing my main private pension. I expect I'll take 3 months off and then look for work, so if it takes another 3-6 months it's not a problem, even longer if I had to, but in our line of work I know that it's hard to find engineers (as we've been looking for a while due to a long term illness).
All the best whatever you decide.
Edited by OldSkoolRS on Friday 28th January 11:04
Thanks for all the input so far guys
Plot twist- my old manager called me (I moved internally) to essentially offer me my old job back, at the money I took for the new role.
I’m conflicted though, I haven’t really given it that long but I think I know pretty quickly when I’m not happy doing something.
Progression worries me, I don’t want to be stuck on a engineers wage (£38k) forever, but if earning more means I’m doing something I find soul destroying then I would rather have less lonely and be happier.
Plot twist- my old manager called me (I moved internally) to essentially offer me my old job back, at the money I took for the new role.
I’m conflicted though, I haven’t really given it that long but I think I know pretty quickly when I’m not happy doing something.
Progression worries me, I don’t want to be stuck on a engineers wage (£38k) forever, but if earning more means I’m doing something I find soul destroying then I would rather have less lonely and be happier.
Nickbrapp said:
Thanks for all the input so far guys
Plot twist- my old manager called me (I moved internally) to essentially offer me my old job back, at the money I took for the new role.
I’m conflicted though, I haven’t really given it that long but I think I know pretty quickly when I’m not happy doing something.
Progression worries me, I don’t want to be stuck on a engineers wage (£38k) forever, but if earning more means I’m doing something I find soul destroying then I would rather have less lonely and be happier.
Sounds to me like you've made your mind up already (And good for you!)Plot twist- my old manager called me (I moved internally) to essentially offer me my old job back, at the money I took for the new role.
I’m conflicted though, I haven’t really given it that long but I think I know pretty quickly when I’m not happy doing something.
Progression worries me, I don’t want to be stuck on a engineers wage (£38k) forever, but if earning more means I’m doing something I find soul destroying then I would rather have less lonely and be happier.
Life is short, follow your heart and be happy.
Many many many people are stuck in miserable jobs. You are lucky you have one that pays well and you do enjoy.
Run full pace at it!
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