Overwhelmed in New Job

K96

Hi All, 

I’d really like some advice on what I should do to keep a good reputation within my industry but also to understand what my rights are. 

I was made redundant in May last year, and have been struggling to find a role in the fashion industry, until 2 Weeks ago where I was offered a role for a brand, and was happy to accept the offer. My interview was on Skype, so it was strange accepting an offer without meeting in person, or seeing the office and surroundings but I went for it anyway. 

I then received a phone call from the Director of the company offering me the role, and discussed my salary - mentioning that it will increase 1K more (annually) after 3 months if everyone is happy.

For this role, I’ve had to make a cut (3K less per annum) on my salary and was never told that the hours are 9am to 6pm until I started. 

I have a chronic illness which makes commuting, and long hours really difficult however I am very passionate about my career so am willing to commute if it is worth it, plus I needed a monthly salary. 

So, after a week into my current role, I have been offered an second interview with a project for a brand which is in a better location, better reputation, one role up from my current role, and am very exited about it. So after a long thought I decided to go ahead with the interview as I couldn’t miss out on the opportunity. 

My issue is I feel guilty having an interview when I have literally just started a new role. But the problem is I’m also really not happy with my new role, and it isn’t what I thought it would be. But because it has only been 2 weeks, I feel I might be just uncomfortable about change.  

In the new role, the director lacks communication with me, I’ve had to wipe my personal laptop so I can work and was told I’d be getting a computer which I’ve had to chase multiple times (turns out it is also being sent to the office not my home address), I’ve got a trial of Excel as I haven’t been given anything in order to do my job, I’ve asked for a contract and what my holiday is three times (to the director, the office department, and the seniors I work with) and no one has given me any answers, I’ve also been asked to go into the office everyday during lockdown because my personal laptop doesn’t work very well, when I’ve had to go into the office I felt very uncomfortable due to covid and to top it, the area is really dodgy/unsafe (I saw a car broken into on the side of the road dodgy), it’s not an easy location to commute to and have had strange men approach me on my way to work. 

What would you all suggest I do? I was thinking of trying to last at least a year here, then start looking. Also, If I am offered the role for the interview I’m having then I worry about how it will look professionally and what do I say in my interview about my current role? 

I feel really overwhelmed and unhappy, but I’m not sure what’s best for my career. To add to my worries, I have also updated my LinkedIn to my new role. 

Please help?

Barny1979

If there is a better role, go for it, if it's an opportunity that might not come along again, then the short stay at your current employers won't affect your CV, as you'll have many a happy year at the other place.

Marcon

KelB123 said:

I’d really like some advice on what I should do to keep a good reputation within my industry but also to understand what my rights are. 

Rights in respect of what, exactly - could you be a bit more specific?

You certainly have a right to seek alternative employment at any time and need only give statutory notice unless you have agreed a longer period. In your case, that's a week once you've been employed for at least a month but under two years.

You sound as if you took this job in desperation (entirely understandable, if so) and neither party went through any of the normal processes. 

KelB123 said:

 I’ve also been asked to go into the office everyday during lockdown because my personal laptop doesn’t work very well, when I’ve had to go into the office I felt very uncomfortable due to covid and to top it, the area is really dodgy/unsafe (I saw a car broken into on the side of the road dodgy), it’s not an easy location to commute to and have had strange men approach me on my way to work. 

That's what you say in your interview, coupled with a vague comment about the job not being as you'd expected. Turn it into a positive action by saying you'd like to be absolutely clear what the new role would entail if you were offered the job.

KelB123 said:

To add to my worries, I have also updated my LinkedIn to my new role. 

Then remove the update - now.

[Deleted User]

You say nothing about a job you are days into. It goes on the CV when you've passed probation/been there some time. I'm underwhelmed for what is a basic call centre job with a commute that isn't easy so I can relate, where I am definitely odd one out (age related more then anything) I'm quite fortunate in that everyone keeps going on about the drive time. I've come to the conclusion some people can possibly be taken on knowing they won't stay long. I went to see location of a local company today I think I want to make an application to, just as I signed off my job accounts an ideal position came up locally but for the moment I need to earn and if I can do that by walking into a company that I don't dread each day then I will carry on, but always with the aim if I can better myself then I will. It would have to be one amazing company or teaching me real new things to want to commute 60 miles daily, pay £450 yearly for parking (the limited free parking outside the company premises were you have to turn up rather early in adding to a long day to secure a space as it is first come first served means I asked a supermarket on the industrial estate if I could have a car parking permit)

Thrugelmir

KelB123 said:

Hi All, 

I’d really like some advice on what I should do to keep a good reputation within my industry but also to understand what my rights are. 

You have the right to resign. 

Why didn't you ask questions at the time of the interview? Hours, holidays etc. Ask for an offer letter before starting the role. 

Likewise you knew where the office was based and therefore where you'd need to commute to. 

While finding employment is important. Little point in jumping into the first opportunity in desperation. Then regretting it. As in a small world word does get around. 

Marcon

Thrugelmir said:

KelB123 said:

Hi All, 

I’d really like some advice on what I should do to keep a good reputation within my industry but also to understand what my rights are. 

You have the right to resign. 

Why didn't you ask questions at the time of the interview? Hours, holidays etc. Ask for an offer letter before starting the role. 

Likewise you knew where the office was based and therefore where you'd need to commute to. 

While finding employment is important. Little point in jumping into the first opportunity in desperation. Then regretting it. As in a small world word does get around. 

Easy enough to say, and perfectly sensible - but if you are in your early 20s, you've been made redundant, have been job hunting since May last year and are in an industry where roles are hard to come by (and the normal recruitment processes aren't quite as rigid as more corporate worlds), any straw looks worth clutching.

TELLIT01

Not finding out the working hours is entirely your own fault but the hours and the long commute can certainly be used as an explanation, to a potential new employer, for wanting to move on so quickly.  It can quickly become apparent after joining a company that it isn't the job for you but don't slag off the current employer to prospective new one (not suggesting you would).

The potential new role seems a better fit for you in many ways so it would be silly not to go for it.

AskAsk

i remember a job i went to and knew the first week i was there that it was not for me, but i was of the thinking that i needed to stay at least 2 years before leaving as it would look bad on my CV if i left too early, so i stayed the 2 years before leaving.  however, if you don't like the new job and get a better offer, there is no reason why you can't leave if the new employer is happy with you leaving your existing job so early.  tell them that you have just started a new job but that (and come up with a good reason why you are looking to leave here).

[Deleted User]

They might have already seen your current role on Linkedin. Removing it now as someone has suggested, could make you look dishonest.

DCFC79

OP if the new role isnt working out for whatever reason then I wish you luck in getting the new role.

Thrugelmir

Marcon said:

Thrugelmir said:

KelB123 said:

Hi All, 

I’d really like some advice on what I should do to keep a good reputation within my industry but also to understand what my rights are. 

You have the right to resign. 

Why didn't you ask questions at the time of the interview? Hours, holidays etc. Ask for an offer letter before starting the role. 

Likewise you knew where the office was based and therefore where you'd need to commute to. 

While finding employment is important. Little point in jumping into the first opportunity in desperation. Then regretting it. As in a small world word does get around. 

Easy enough to say, and perfectly sensible - but if you are in your early 20s, you've been made redundant, have been job hunting since May last year and are in an industry where roles are hard to come by (and the normal recruitment processes aren't quite as rigid as more corporate worlds), any straw looks worth clutching.

We all have a wardrobe full of life's tee shirts.  Being unemployed for whatever reason isn't pleasant. How you approach life is key. Mine is always to be positive.  Sometimes things work out , other times they don't.  However sticking it out more often or not opens other doors. Takes time to settle in and be accepted by work colleagues. As long as you get paid on time it's than not having a job at all. 

As you get older it doesn't get any easy. Wait till you get into your 50's.