Help - Non-extistent career

Barmy_Army_92

Hi, 
When I graduated in 2014 I luckily got a job working in [especially for my age] a well paying job in the Pharma industry. After a couple of years I was settled and things were looking great; I was very happy. Then, in 2018 I found out in advance that I would be losing my job this year; the company offered incentives to keep us working until our redundancy date, which I did. It was very much a job, rather than a career, but one linked to my degree and that I enjoyed.  Unfortunately, there are no other similar jobs or industries within a one hour commute to where I live. To reduce my stress; I opted to apply for a broad range of jobs at another local employer at the end of last year/start of this year, where it takes 6 months between job offer and start date due to security, so this way I knew I could line a job up well in advance of leaving. Again, [especially given how this year has been for many people], I was lucky and secured a job. 
I started this new job a month ago; completely unrelated to my degree or my 6 years of prior work experience. So far; it's been very underwhelming from a training perspective, there is no plan, I am just following and learning on the job, despite having no prior technical knowledge/background, and I now see that its going to take substantial time and effort to become competent in the role. Frustratingly, I was aware of all these pitfalls when I accepted the offer, but was beginning to feel pressured in January of this year to secure a job.  Frankly, I am just very lost, and feeling frustrated with myself for ending up in this position when I have had almost 2 years to prepare my future. I feel like the culture and environment of this new place is very different, and not one I wish to work in long term [unlike my previous employer]. 

I am seeking advice; has anyone found themselves in a similar situation? Am I just experiencing normal new job feelings still, a month in? 

Farel01

Hi! I've been in a situation where the job I accepted wasn't anything like what I thought it would be. You say you did but I assume you expected proper training and support. Can you address this with your manager and see if you together can make a better plan to be supported? 
On culture - that's not going to change, and if it's not a good fit this may not be the job for you. Are you working from home? That may make it seem worse than it is - not meeting colleagues in real life. On the bright side you have a job and an income and you can search for something else whilst staying employed? 

TELLIT01

Is the 'underwhelming training' due in part to the current Covid situation?  Might it improve when the situation returns to a more normal one?  The place my wife works has just taken on a new staff member and all their training is being undertaken remotely, with them screen mirroring with a trainer/mentor.  I would find that underwhelming to say the very least.

You are only a month in, and that really isn't long enough to make a reasoned decision, particularly in the current environment.

AskAsk

as we are in covid so you will have little choice but to stay.  when things are better, then you could look again at finding another job if you are not happy with this one.

Farel01

AskAsk said:

as we are in covid so you will have little choice but to stay.  when things are better, then you could look again at finding another job if you are not happy with this one.

That's not necessarily true, my partner found a new job during lockdown - just all interviews and induction remotely which was interesting - and I have a few friends who have moved roles as well. Think it depends a lot on what industry you're in, hospitality probably not, but IT for example a lot of companies still hiring.  

AskAsk

Farel01 said:

AskAsk said:

as we are in covid so you will have little choice but to stay.  when things are better, then you could look again at finding another job if you are not happy with this one.

That's not necessarily true, my partner found a new job during lockdown - just all interviews and induction remotely which was interesting - and I have a few friends who have moved roles as well. Think it depends a lot on what industry you're in, hospitality probably not, but IT for example a lot of companies still hiring.  

yes, you can still get a job during these times but it is harder and the pay has gone down.  i have a couple of friends who have found jobs during the lockdown and they didn't think it was possible.  i also have a friend who is still looking for a job and has not been able to find one in the lockdown.

just more competition out there as there are more people looking for work now, so it may be best to abide your time and wait for better times to look around for other opportunities.

josephine82

I would use the opportunity while you are still relatively new to ask for help, support and input from your line manager, and give it a good couple of months to really settle in and understand whether this job is right for you. 

I’ve started a few jobs where I’ve really not enjoyed it initially but have settled into the job eventually, but then moved on once I’ve given it a good enough go. 

You could use this opportunity to really carefully think about other roles out there and what you might think about doing next, if that’s the right move for you. 

Dox

Barmy_Army_92 said:

I am seeking advice; has anyone found themselves in a similar situation? Am I just experiencing normal new job feelings still, a month in? 

This is only your second job since graduating six years ago. The situation for everyone is far from normal. It would be much more surprising if you'd settled down immediately and been thrilled with everything. Crucially, you've only been there a month - give yourself - and the new job - a decent trial period before you decide feeling frustrated with yourself is justified. You took what appeared to be a sensible course of action, so now see if you can make it work. If in six months you still feel like this, then time to reconsider.