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Underchallenged and Unhappy
I've made the very big mistake of leaving a job I enjoyed working with a great team of people for 6 years to move to a more senior role in a supposed larger environment and a more challegening IT role as Helpdesk manager and to be honest I've never been so under challenged, undervalued or unhappy in my life. The role it's self is nothing like the one I was sold at the interview and is taking me away from the carrer path I was on. I've spoke with my boss about it but he's not interested as he blames a change in the business model and it's not his fault but that doesn't really help me.After being here only 4 months I've had 4 interviews 1 in the last week in which i'm still waiting to hear from I've even tried going back to my old job was split between 2 people and I can't go back.
I am in a fulll time role but I'm now considering contracting or lower end tech support jobs dropping 8k a year just to get out of this role.
Please help if anyone has any advice on what to do or about contracting it would be most appreciated.
Comments
I was in the same situation - I resigned without a job to go to as I was so down - my problem was negative stress (job too easy, no challenge) even though it was sold to me as a demanding role. Whilst working my notice I found another job and left a very happy person. Do the same.
Jim - January 27, 2007 9:52 PM
Contracting is always a way out and gives you the opportunity to learn new skills - but remember a contract often involves people you don't like, although you know you don't have to put up with them.
There is nothing worse than not being able to use your brain. Don't take a lower salary, people are always suspicious. If yuo hate it quit and contract.
Michael - January 28, 2007 10:25 AM
I'm sorry to hear it hasn't worked out as you'd hoped. I was in similar position, but I stuck the role out for a year, and am glad I did.
Some thoughts for you:
Leaving a job before you have found another one may be a rash decision.
The job market is in a fairly good state at the moment, so perhaps focus your energies on finding a new job (as you have spare capacity at work by the sound of it).
Job hopping can look very bad to some employers. Could you stomach a year to make your CV look more respectable?
Perhaps use the time to complete a Project Management or IT qualification to help getting the next *ideal* job.
Contractor mentality and the team dynamic they work in can be very different to perm employment. Speak to Contractors and understand if this is the right fit for you. You sound like you place emphasis on the importance of working in a good team.
What is your work/life balance like? Could you invest more time in enjoying life outside work to offset the hopefully, temporary disatisfaction in this role?
Above all, try to take the emotion out of the decision and avoid damaging future prospects.
Ade - January 29, 2007 12:47 PM
I was in the same situation last year and just left my role after a few months. I subsequently found a role after 2 months that suits me and pays a lot more.
I discovered that employers where not suspicious when I told them why I left my previous role due to lots of the interviewers having been in the same situation, however some recruitment consultants where suspicous.
In your situation I would do what you are doing but don't take a pay cut. If the situation is that bad work out exactly what you want or can bear to do in a job, leave with no job to go to (if you can pay the bills for a few months) and go and find it.
Olly - January 30, 2007 9:29 AM