My Career GPS is Broken

Question

After over 5 years in my last role, I'm traumatized and don't know where to go next. Those years resulted in health issues that took months of treatment and prevented me from being able to work as much as I wanted. The company was unwilling to allow me to work from home when it was possible.  So I was forced to leave. Now I'm terrified  of getting into a similar situation at another company and it's hindering my job search. Please help!

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you, ladies, for the valuable feedback. It's really helpful  to have such a supportive community as I don't have this in my personal life. Please see below for an update to my previous situation.

UPDATE: Just learned that my former manager was actually demoted a few years after I left due to abusive treatment of a new team of employees under their supervision.  Personally, while I worked at the company, the manager blocked me from moving to other roles and departments through a fabricated review which I contested. My colleagues at the time shared similar negative experiences with the same manager.

After this development, I now feel that my experience has been validated and it wasn't a figment of my imagination.

Alyson Garrido, Career Coach · Answer

I'm sorry that happened to you. I truly believe that those who have been through these tough work environments are less likely to be in that situation again because you know the warning signs.

You may begin by looking at companies that have a good reputation or where you know people to ease into the process or start by applying to roles that are of interest and think about it as gauging fit and having a conversation. You don't have to accept the job, you just have to have a chat and see if it feels right. Tune in to your intuition, the mood of the office, style of the manager, nature of the work, and ask lots of questions to determine fit.

This experience is not the norm and you'll absolutely find a place that deserves you!

Anonymous · Answer

I think the best way to avoid that situation is to research each company as much as possible. Read company reviews, talk to people who've worked in the department/company if you have any connections, and really try to get an idea of what's going on in the inside. If you're really uncertain still, try temping or freelancing for awhile so that you can quit/sever ties with a company quickly with no repercussions.

Helen Hanison · Answer

I love Career GPS!  You are part-way on the road to recovery from this set back just by recognising the stories you are telling yourself...they sound like they're along the lines of...'it won't work within these companies...I need a better fit but can't judge what that looks like...I can't do this...'.  If I'm anywhere in the orbit of resonating, I would urge you to hesitate rather than hurtle into the tactical piece of assessing fit with specific companies / roles.  At least in parallel, try to do some work on rewinding that narrative.  There is a connection between the stories you tell yourself, your behaviours and their outcomes.  And the good news is, you're in control of all 3. What you are noticing with your wonky GPS is that these connections become automatic and block us despite our best intentions when they do.  Rewinding the narrative is about identifying what has become triggering.  And when you have that clarity you can regulate instead of react - then respond differently to get the outcome you want.  For you that might be learning to pause so you can pivot to your new narrative - I have confidence that checking for xx features will help me recognise where will be a good fit so I can move forwards without the fear...or similar.  Then know you are shooting for the outcome you want. Your new narrative.  It's quite a lot for a  message.  I have a tool that I use with my 1:1 clients and will say - do feel free to tell me if you'd like to receive that (free) resource.  Happy to share and feel very clear you need to navigate this inner obstacle... Warmly, Helen

Maggie B · Answer

It might be worth taking your experience to a career coach and see if they can help you with the roadmap.  It's one thing to work a role at a toxic company, but it's another if the role itself is toxic, no matter where you're at.  Research, study up, and maybe meet with someone and talk it through.  See if you're on the right path.  Sometimes it's as easy as showing the map to another person and saying, 'Am I going the right way?'

My Career GPS is Broken

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