Struggle to settle

sdt1986

Does anyone else stuggle to settle in employment?

I have been working since I left school 7 years ago, my first full time job was okay and I was coasting by on discplinarys due to getting there late (2 buses and a train saw to that which was hard work), but i never got fired and never quit, on 7 months I got made redundant. after that I was out of work a bit with a bit of part time for 3 months struggling due to lack of work expierence so found it hard finding work. Finally got in work and was in the job somehow (I really don't know how) for 14 months which I was very impressed with, I was very bored and constantly hated it, so much so I made a drastic change and decided to go Newcastle and do a bit of studying, this didn't work as I was self funding so I was also working 30+ hours, since then I have had job's ranging from a day to a few months at best (other than one which was 6 months) Some of it is down to the jobs being sales jobs, it's very easy to lose steam in a sales job. Last December (08) I took my current job which I really enjoyed, got a secondment promotion, but due to things going on within the company it made my role hard to get signed off, and then I seem to have a manager that takes the !!!!, promises you things and doesn't deliver, and due to all this I became very diss satisfied towards august last year, a few things changed and I became back into it, enjoying myself again as a new project was given to me. but then again towards the end of the year things started going the same way, not so much stale but it's as if I can't see any hope with the job anymore so I become very depressed with it. Worst thing was I had a few holidays left (because I was enjoying it at the beginning of the year so never wanted to take them) this saw me off in december until monday this week, bar 4 days in december, 2 of those days in december I just couldn't face coming in so faked illness and the two that I did come in I really just sat there thinking I really need to sort another job out, This week I was due back in, monday I couldn't face it, went in tuesday but struggled, and then yesterday had a snow day even though this time last year I'd have made more of an effort to get in.

Now today I am sat here thinking that I just don't want to be here, the promotion secondment I ahve has finally become available as a proper role but I have to apply for it and there is others applying, after starting the role from scratch and building so much of it, I feel quite insulted that I have to apply for it at a risk of not getting it, if I don't get it, all the huge spreadsheets that I ahve built will make whomever get's it job easy and I get nothing in return.

Now I know I probably sound extremely work shy, but I assure you I am not, when I have been out of work I have hated it, I can't stand being at home bored all day, I also like work for the fact that there is people to talk to, at home I'd be on my tod etc, yet the 4 weeks over xmas I have actually felt better in myself in a better mood etc.

Anyone else ever been like this work? I just can't ever see myself being one of those folk that are in a job for 30 years, and I have the utmost respect for them, even if they haven't furthered themselves in there careers at least they have found something that they are comfortable with.

wuckfit

Why not look at starting your own business? It's a real eye-opener, and you'll end up working 60. 70, 80 hour weeks, thinking nothing of it as you try to make your business succeed. You'll take pride in your work, and be your own boss.

sdt1986

wuckfit wrote: »

Why not look at starting your own business? It's a real eye-opener, and you'll end up working 60. 70, 80 hour weeks, thinking nothing of it as you try to make your business succeed. You'll take pride in your work, and be your own boss.

I'd love to but I'm debt restricted as well, I'm in a never ending cycle.

And you are spot on, when you are doing something that you take pride you don't give a seconds thought about the obscene amount of hours, when i first started this role I was working alll hours god send and not putting in for flexi or overtime, because I was proud that I had got some sort of promotion and was starthing the job from more or less scratch, which entailed building reports, spreadsheets and methods etc, which is also one of the depressing things with this job, I did all that and I am now made to feel like I have done it for nothing.

pebblespop

i know exactly what you mean.

i have had 8 jobs in the last 12 years since leaving school. i am a qualified accountant and have managed to commit to my studies but not the jobs.

i always hate jobs after a couple of months and spend the rest of my time at the company hating it and looking for something else. after taking a job with what sounded like a fantastic company ( i thought i would be set up for life) and realising it wasn't all it cracked up to be, i left and got a job which i was sacked from after two months.

i didn't really know what to do and took a temporary job (12 month mat cover) that way i could see the light at the end of tunnel. i enjoyed working there and knowing i could leave in 12 months without having to hand notice in etc was a great relief for me.

as it turned out a permanent job came up at the company and i was offered it. i took it and within 12 months received a promotion. i have now worked there for 2 years and i love it. i can't see me leaving in a hurry.

perhaps temping would be an option for you?

sdt1986

pebblespop wrote: »

i know exactly what you mean.

i have had 8 jobs in the last 12 years since leaving school. i am a qualified accountant and have managed to commit to my studies but not the jobs.

i always hate jobs after a couple of months and spend the rest of my time at the company hating it and looking for something else. after taking a job with what sounded like a fantastic company ( i thought i would be set up for life) and realising it wasn't all it cracked up to be, i left and got a job which i was sacked from after two months.

i didn't really know what to do and took a temporary job (12 month mat cover) that way i could see the light at the end of tunnel. i enjoyed working there and knowing i could leave in 12 months without having to hand notice in etc was a great relief for me.

as it turned out a permanent job came up at the company and i was offered it. i took it and within 12 months received a promotion. i have now worked there for 2 years and i love it. i can't see me leaving in a hurry.

perhaps temping would be an option for you?

It could, and sounds like it would be suitable, only problem up (I have a habit of finding negatives in everything) is I am debt ridden and need the security a permanent job provides, if it weren't for that I would be somewhere else in a heartbeat, probably wouldn't be living in the same town either, i've also moved about a few places over the last few years, been back in my home town for just over a year and not feeling settled here either.

pebblespop

sdt1986 wrote: »

It could, and sounds like it would be suitable, only problem up (I have a habit of finding negatives in everything) is I am debt ridden and need the security a permanent job provides, if it weren't for that I would be somewhere else in a heartbeat, probably wouldn't be living in the same town either, i've also moved about a few places over the last few years, been back in my home town for just over a year and not feeling settled here either.

i have a mortage debt etc but my thinking was if i took a 12 month contract it would be one of my longest serving jobs anyway as i have left most of my permanaent jobs within a year lol!

sdt1986

pebblespop wrote: »

i have a mortage debt etc but my thinking was if i took a 12 month contract it would be one of my longest serving jobs anyway as i have left most of my permanaent jobs within a year lol!

I know where you are coming from though, it's the fear of the way they can get rid with shorter notice etc, less rights. My main debts and rent is in my mams name therefore meaning that if i lost my job I'd leave her absolutely screwed as she can't afford to cover the rent and loan of mine. If the loan was in my name it would be sweet as I would use the banks debt management period where they reduce it for a few montsh whilst I find work. See where I am coming from? One for the future if I'm still doing the same in 3 years.

dirtyepic

wuckfit wrote: »

Why not look at starting your own business? It's a real eye-opener, and you'll end up working 60. 70, 80 hour weeks, thinking nothing of it as you try to make your business succeed. You'll take pride in your work, and be your own boss.

I totally sympathise with you as I am exactly the same.

I allow situations in the workplace to really bring me down even though I am a positive person to start off with.

I was made redundant Dec 08 from a good job in a brilliantly successful team, there were only three of us and work so well together, but this was not the future of the company, I was made redundant due to me not being fully qualified at my role, my colleague was offered a job elsewhere for a major competitor and the most senior guy had to take early retirement.

I was unemployed for a couple of months then started temping which I liked but the money and conditions were attrocious.

I was offered my current position last June and my manager has told me I was offered this role through my determination, dedication to make the role work and my sheer enthusiasm.

Over the last six months I have known that this is not for me. I thoroughly dislike the role and the attitude of the majority of people I have to deal with (I work in the public sector - please note, I am not criticising all public sector workers, just the certain individuals I have to deal with), my manager is showing his true colours which I am quite uncomfortable with and it is slowly draining my personality and my enjoyment of life.

I would love to get started in trying to set up my own business cos I know I am a hard, enthusiastic worker, with an abundance of great skills. I get on great with all members of staff (even though I said I dislike the attitude of some of ours) and all contacts I have to deal with through my work. I am stuck for what I can start off as though!!!

I am 41 years of age and had a very successful career as a typesetter/graphic designer for almost 20 years. I needed to use my brain a bit more due to being quite complacent with my positions so took a complete career change (I was lucky at the time as my partner and my circumstances allowed this) and even though I had 3 part time jobs at the time I gained my qualifications in Health & Safety and this then led me to step upon and then up the Health and Safety Career ladder.

Till now.

I am so bored with it. I don't know if its because of where I am working or because of the team I am part of (3 of us, one of them is the manager!) etc etc.

So I now need - advice, motivation, ideas, a kick up the backside, etc etc!!!

But I will wait in the queue behind the OP and try and pick up advice from posters.

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. I had better get some work done - we have to keep diaries of work for the manager to check on exactly what we have done for the day and I don't think MSE forum postings will go down well!!! Yes, I am 41 and yes my boss treats myself and my colleague like naughty school children.

T

amy_lou_4

OP- Would you be content in the promotion job? If you think you would be unhappy even in that role then it is probably not worth applying, but if you think it would be better then do! Have some confidence in the experience you have gained on secondment. The work you have done so far will stand you in good stead in an interview, as proof that you know the most about the job in comparison to any other candidates. A positive attitude in the interview will help with the rest! You don't know how many other people might even apply for it, so take the chance if you will be able to drum up enough motivation for interview preparation.

sdt1986

amy_lou wrote: »

OP- Would you be content in the promotion job? If you think you would be unhappy even in that role then it is probably not worth applying, but if you think it would be better then do! Have some confidence in the experience you have gained on secondment. The work you have done so far will stand you in good stead in an interview, as proof that you know the most about the job in comparison to any other candidates. A positive attitude in the interview will help with the rest! You don't know how many other people might even apply for it, so take the chance if you will be able to drum up enough motivation for interview preparation.

Im 95% sure the job will be mine. Will I be happy, I very much doubt it, it's the place now, the attitude and the way the manager runs it that has really put me out over the last several months, I think she's great as a person but as the manager of the business she is shocking.

Whilst you say don't go for it, that's not really an option as if i don't go for it I will have to go back to the phone work which I will tire of even quicker as that's all i've done since leaving school, which is why i was so content where I am now, not to mention this is a guaranteed wage and not having the added pressure of working towards a bonus.