Should I resign a week into my new job?

doomdreamer

Hello,

This is partly a question about the procedure and partly just for advice! Hope you don't mind.

I have just started working at a new company but after a week I am already really unhappy. The job has a lot of responsibility I wasn't aware of, barely any training, unfriendly colleagues, I'm on my own every day and cannot take breaks.

I think I want to quit and go back to my previous job which, thankfully, is still an option as it is casual (with regular hours), but I don't know if I should.

I was really happy in my old job, loved my colleagues and enjoyed the work, but it was at the same level I've been doing for 6 years. The new job was a step up in my career, but now I'm not sure if it's even a career I want to pursue!

Basically, the pros for staying are - more money; it's fulltime and contracted (although I haven't even seen a contract or T&Cs yet); a good step up in my career and lots of good stuff to add to my CV.
The cons I mentioned in the first paragraph.

The pros for leaving are - I would be happier in my old job; I would be working casual hours, meaning I would have time to figure out what I really want to do; less responsibility; I would be working with really lovely people; opportunity to progress in a company I like.
The cons for leaving are - less money (but I don't have rent/car/anything to pay, so that's not a major problem); staying at the same level in my career; having to tell people that I quit after such a short time; my old job isn't my dream job, just a nice one.

The job has a six-month probationary period, but I haven't seen a contract or job desc. or T&Cs so I don't know how much notice I would have to give. Is there a standard amount?

Am I an idiot to quit a better paid, higher up position, just because I'm unhappy a week in?

I really hope someone can offer advice, even if it's just an opinion. I don't know what to do.

Slinky

I'd say stick with it for a bit longer. You've had six years where you know everybody and what you are doing. A new job is always a shock and there can be a temptation to return to what is familiar, but don't forget there were reasons why you started to look around for something new.

PlutoinCapricorn

Have you raised any of this with the new management? Will you get an assessment soon so that you could mention the lack of training etc?

Some people get a honeymoon period with their new jobs then the glow wears off and they have to deal with reality; others have a winter phase that slowly turns into spring! You may just be having adjustment problems.

kennyfong

I wouldn't quit after a week.

I've held a number of positions as a business analyst where the first week or even a month, I had no idea what was going on. I didn't receive enough mentoring, training and guidance and I felt quite depressed and felt not up to the task. Colleagues were cold to me.
I basically stuck at it, and then in each case I've come to really like my experience in that company. What I can tell you is that your boss / line manager should be taking care of you, but they like all people have their own things to do [and are probably busy, which is why you got hired in the first place]. You will make friends like I did.

Can you be a bit more specific? What is the "old job" and what is this new job? How exactly are you "on your own", and how exactly are you colleagues "unfriendly" rather than just "reserved" [i.e. they don't know you!] My advice is - stick at it, you're going to feel like a hopeless loser for a few weeks, but you will learn more about the business and organization and be able to contribute.

When I switched from a large construction company to private equity, after one week I cried and wished for my old job back - now I'm so glad I stuck at it. You should also get time with your boss, tell him/her you really want to contribute but you don't know where to start and you would really appreciate some additional guidance/training/mentoring.

Finally, be realistic in your expectations - things take time.

MissSarah1972

You can't take a break? Says who?

Notmyrealname

doomdreamer wrote: »

Am I an idiot to quit a better paid, higher up position, just because I'm unhappy a week in?

I really hope someone can offer advice, even if it's just an opinion. I don't know what to do.

Your colleagues aren't unfriendly, they just don't know you yet. You can't go into a new place and be instant best buddies with staff - relationships like that take time and in your previous job, this was 6 years.

You wanted a higher position and with that comes several things:

1) More responsibility
2) Next to no training because it is assumed you know how to do the job especially as you'll have told them at the interview you did.
3) Less of a "friends" relationship with lower grades - you're their senior and effectively their immediate boss.

Unless you are prepared to accept more responsibility then you had better go back to the level you were at. Promotion pretty much always involves more responsibility.

doomdreamer

Ok to be more specific - I've been doing the same assistant role in different companies (entertainment venues/customer service) for 6 years. I was made redundant last year and since then have worked for two other companies - the first one was ok. After a few months I moved on to the job I now want to go back to, which was in a really interesting company and lovely people. The job I'm in now is a manager role in a larger company. I applied because I thought I should be progressing in my career after doing essentially the same thing for 6 years.

Notmyrealname - It wouldn't be 'assumed that I know how to do the job' because the computer systems and procedures are entirely different company to company. Of course I was prepared to accept more responsibillity, and I don't appreciate your insinuation that I wasn't. My issue is with the fact that I'm asked to do above and beyond the norm, with no guidance. Also, when referring to my colleagues, I meant ones on the same level/higher up than me as well. In this industry there is no 'us and them' hierarchy, so that wouldn't come in to it. My office is far away from everyone else, and it gets incredibly lonely. (I can't leave my office because it is essentially reception). This isn't a decision I'm taking lightly, hence posting on this forum for unbiased advice.

MissSarah - I act as reception and can only take a break if I can convince someone else to cover, which is apparently rare. I am very aware of the legal stuff regarding breaks, but I'm reluctant to mention this so soon into the role.

My head is a bit jumbled because of this so sorry if I'm rambling! I'll try to put it more succinctly - I think I made a mistake accepting this job. I am unhappy, and don't think it will get much better. I am rethinking my entire career and don't want to be stuck in a job I don't like, when I could be biding my time in a nice job while I figure things out. I don't need the money, I'm still fairly young and don't have any dependents/massive outgoings. Is it an acceptable thing, to leave a job so soon, leaving them in the lurch, or would I be doing something really immature? Also, considering I haven't signed a contract or seen a proper job description, where do I stand on leaving/notice period?

markelock

stick with it. if you're really not sure don't spend the extra money you earn, or sign yourself up to anything long term.

that way, if you find the job is !!!!!! six month, or six years into it, you can still get out.

personally I'm 13 years in, and still surprised at how much I hate my profession... however I have an understanding of the processes (I think a lot of people are just given stuff to do, and then left to do it without decent supervision)

Sambucus_Nigra

If you want to go back then go back. How do we know what difference this will make to your future career?

Wellery82

Definitely stick with it. Give yourself a set date, say in 8 - 10 weeks and commit yourself to giving it a go. Write a note of how you feel today and if it is the same in 8 weeks, quit, if not you have made the right move! It will be amazing how differently you see things in just a few weeks. I really thought about leaving in my first month at my company, and all i thought then was wrong about the company, and those i worked with.

At least if you do this you can leave knowing you gave it your best shot, and take some useful lessons and experience from it.

Moving into any new role is always hard, let along a new company with a new culture and more responsibility.

You say your colleagues are unfriendly, but remember when you feel low you are looking at their negative characteristics. As they get to know you more and involve you more you may well look at that differently.

Regarding more responsibility remember they chose you because they trust you will get to grips with the job. It will seem impossible now as you aren't used to it, but as they days and weeks go by it will feel like 2nd nature. When you learn anything new, whether driving a car or learning an instrument you feel frustrated and vulnerable at first as you aren't particularly good. If you realise this is normal and remember to look at how much you have learned everyday, not what you have to learn, this may help. In a few weeks you will start to get it!

Regarding training, try and ask people for guidance that have done it before. Asking questions isn't a bad thing. The fact they aren't offering training straight away doesn't mean it isn't available, and may mean they don't think you need it!

And on the subject of the breaks, again you will find your feet over the next few weeks in what is and isn't acceptable.

Good luck

MacsReturns

I am very aware of the legal stuff regarding breaks, but I'm reluctant to mention this so soon into the role.

The longer you leave it, the more they'll assume you accept it and the harder it'll get to raise it with them later. Then they will start REALLY walking all over you. Do yourself a favour and mention it ASAP - after all it's not you that's in the wrong :beer: