Overwhelmed in New Job

pjcox2005

Fine to go for an interview for another job, but I think you do need to take a look at how you can handle change better so you can make the right impression in your next move.
Personally, given it's only been a two week period still within a national lockdown, then your comments struggling to cope with no immediate laptop, slow responses, commute and uncertainty of working hours and high crime based on one incident don't read/give a great impression of your resilience and ability to adapt.

Ditzy_Mitzy

ushjr said:

I too was made redundant last year and didn't find out my working hours were 9am-6pm in my new job until I got the contract. To the people saying you should find out the working hours beforehand, in the interview advice I've seen you're not supposed to ask questions about the things that really matter such as pay, holiday, working hours etc so how are you supposed to find out?

First of all don't feel guilty about interviewing elsewhere, as I found out to my cost loyalty means nothing. If this other job seems a better role then go for it. If its just the working hours and location that are better then probably not worth it. I stayed in my last job for a very long time where I was very unhappy but it was a great location. As much as I hate working till 6pm in my new job everything else about the job besides location is better.

The advice you've been given makes absolutely no sense.  Working hours are one of the most basic facets of any employment contract, as are pay and and holidays.  The information often appears on job adverts, and it's one of the first things I ask about.  I've turned a job interview down on the basis that the recruiter wouldn't give me a straight answer about weekend and evening working.  Ask away.  Any decent company will give one a straight answer; evasiveness is a sign that the job is best avoided.  

LudaMusser

My advice is to listen to those alarm bells and have the interview

I got offered a job before my current job and I had to ring twice to ask when I would be receiving the contract. That was an alarm bell that I didn’t listen to. It was awful and I was looking for a new job in less than three weeks 

K96

Barny1979 said:

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.

Thank you Barny1979. This is what I was thinking, that I couldn’t miss out on this opportunity plus, I won’t be wasting my time in my current role. Appreciate the feedback!

K96

Marcon said:

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.

Hi Marcon, thank you very much for the feedback and advice.  It was difficult to judge this role as I didn’t receive enough information until I started, and still am waiting to hear back on a contract, and equipment to do my job!! The feedback about what to say in my interview is very helpful, so I will consider this! I received 2 offers for roles before this one, so I wasn’t too desperate. I genuinely feel this role isn’t what I thought it was going to be. 

K96

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. 

Thank you Thrugelmir for the advice. I didn’t think it was appropriate to ask about holiday and hours etc during my interviews, but judging by the feedback I received here, it’s something I will start doing in my future interviews. 

I knew about the commute but not what the area was like as my interviews were on Zoom. 

I also had 2 offers before this one. 

Really appreciate the advice! 

K96

Thank you all for your advice and comments. I’m still waiting to receive a Contract or Offer Letter, my personal laptop still isn’t working and I still don’t have the right equipment to do my job. I’ve asked multiple times for all these things and am starting to get really stressed out. I feel I’m not valued and when I’ve asked for help or have questions I’ve been ignored. Also don’t know when pay day is (not sure I should be asking this?!)

I wanted to know my rights in terms of: 
- equipment for WFH 
- Leaving a role after 2 weeks 
- Should I be receiving an offer letter or contract? Is this a legal requirement. 

I’ve also had lack of communication on the holiday entitlement. I’ve had to chase this multiple times, and today I’ve finally had an answer. My hospital appointment and funeral I am attending have been taken out of my holiday. Also been told that Christmas holiday is taken out of our holiday when that’s not really our choice.  

I’ve had a similar role like this before. I was miserable but stayed for nearly 3 years because it’s such a competitive industry to move on. I’m not desperate for getting a job, I wanted to find the right job where I am valued in a professional environment, and somewhere where I can commit to. I’ve turned down 2 offers before this one because it didn’t feel like a good fit. 

In terms of hours - from interview advice I was told this isn’t something you really ask but taking on all advice, I think this is something I will start asking in the second interviews. The area I didn’t know until I started the job because I never went to the office for the interview, but the commute I was aware of, and like I mentioned before I’m happy to commute if the job is worth it. 

I’ve decided if this role is still making me unhappy in the next month, that I will start searching again. I still feel guilty to be looking and saying these things but now I have advice to follow so thank you all. 

K96

LudaMusser said:

My advice is to listen to those alarm bells and have the interview

I got offered a job before my current job and I had to ring twice to ask when I would be receiving the contract. That was an alarm bell that I didn’t listen to. It was awful and I was looking for a new job in less than three weeks 

Thank you LudaMusser, it’s nice to know I’m not alone in feeling like this. Will definitely take on your advice!