Is 3 days enough to decide whether you like a job??

rb80

I started a new position in Monday as an administrator for a community organisation and I hate it! I don't like anyone who works there and we have nothing in common - they are all a lot older than me. The atmosphere isnt nice. The work is a lot different from what I thought it would be and I have realised that there will be many aspects of the role which I wont enjoy. I'm meant to be replacing a lady who will be going off on maternity leave next week so she has been training me but I can't live up to the standards she has set. I dont know what to do? I've just come home in tears as I hate it so much but I cant not have a job! Do I carry on and hope it wil get better? Is 3 days enough to judge a new job? Thanks

cmw1212

I really feel for you, as I have been in that position myself in the past-(actually more than once ) 3 days isn't really enough time to judge properly. You should see how things are once the lady who is on maternity has gone.
Do you not have a manager you can speak to? I think you give it at least a month, though keep looking for other jobs in the meantime.
Just a little story as an aside: my es flatmate got a new job and came home one evening about a month in really upset she said she hated it and had a resignation letter in her bag. I told her to hold off (it was near christmas)and see how things went and guess what things got better she's been there nearly 3 years now and is doing really well.
I need to listen to my own advice!!!

MatyMoo

Many years ago I changed jobs and hated my new place, didn't understand half of what I was supposed to be doing, was the only full time girly amongst 25 men and wondered if I had taken leave of my senses accepting the position in the first place.

Suddenly six months later I realised that all the jobs I had to do in a month had just clicked in my head and for the first time I felt as though I knew what I was doing, I was capable and confident in what I was doing.

I stayed there for six years, met my other half there and have been with him for almost 28 years

If I hadn't needed the money would I have walked out after the first 3 days? You bet I would have done :rotfl:

timnicebutdim_2

Have an escape route planned in your head to take the pressure off feeling trapped - look for alternatives and join some agencies. In the meantime try and enjoy the experience, turn it around and make it enjoyable. Treat it like an experiment, knowing that it won't be forever plus you will gain valuable experience. I know it's difficult especially when it's all new and with people you might not normally get on with but if you persevere the experience will pay off.

LilacPixie

I have times ofhating my job, times of finding it managable and times of feeling quite motivated and happy with it.

I would say give it another few weeks at least. Once maternity woman is away you will get a chance to settle into the job

Horace

3 days isnt long enough..I can remember wanting to quit a job because I hated it during the first week but by the end of the second month I was really enjoying it..I must have liked it because I stayed for 7 years.

Atmospheres can be awkward especially as the maternity person is off on her maternity leave soon and you are basically the stranger in the office - when the woman goes on her maternity leave it should all settle down, be polite and friendly to everyone in the office (even if you hate them) and you will soon be accepted into the group. Remember that if you are younger than the rest of them have you wondered if they are afraid of you? Maybe they are worried what will happen when maternity woman goes - remember that when she goes you will be able to put your own stamp on the job, you may even have a better way of doing things.

Hold your head up high - remember you were chosen out of how ever many others to do the job and therefore you are as good if not better than the rest of them.

viktory

No, three days is nowhere near long enough. I can remember being really unhappy in my current role for ages - I felt inadequate and out of place. Now I absolutely love it there and think my colleagues are brilliant.

Onice the woman you are replacing has left you'll find it much easier to settle in and you will be able to make the job your own with little tweaks and changes here and there.

RedSoleShoes

I would say stick at it until your first pay packet. I have walked out of jobs after one day because I have not been happy there. Whether I would have ended up happy, I will never know but I did what felt right at the time.

Have you got other options possibly? Maybe temping or other interviews lined up? Only you know whether your need for this job is greater than your need to not return to this job.

DCFC79

I wish id left after first month last year but i didnt, i thought id would get better and it hasnt, for me yes 3 days was enough for me to decide i hate what im doing but its a pay cheque at the end of the day isnt it

Slinky

I left an admin job I hated after 4 days. I wasn't told at the interview I'd be responsible for answering the phones to external calls. A lot of the customers of the business were from overseas with names that were difficult to understand when I asked who they were. You can ask somebody to repeat their name once, but more than that it looks rude. The partners in the business wouldn't take the call if I couldn't tell them exactly who was calling.

I never even got paid for the 4 days I'd worked, put it down to experience and moved on, but I was fortunate as there was another company interested in me before I joined this business, I got the agency to resurrect the interview I'd cancelled and went to work there and stayed 5 years.

Sometimes things are meant to happen for a reason.

Oldernotwiser

Unless you have another job to go to you need to stick it out; three days is nothing.