I have only been at my current job for 3 months (cloud based software administration).

Anonymous

June 2,2022 at 10:27AM UTC

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I have only been at my current job for 3 months (cloud based software administration). My gut told me before I took the job that it wasn't a good idea. My manager was odd during the interview, couldn't read him, I thought he didn't like me. But apparently, he did, because I was offered the job and accepted. The minute I started he handed me massive projects that hit me like a ton of bricks. I worked long hours, through the weekends, without eating or sleeping, and by the end of those two weeks, I contacted the internal recruiter to say I didn't think it was working out. She talked me out of it, and said she knew that it was because my manager is a problem. She almost acted as though she was waiting for me to come to her. Very odd. We then had a meeting between my manager and my HR representative, and I agreed to stay on. Tried to manage this whole thing.

Long story short, I stayed. I have a new manager between this guy and me, but the original manager is still calling the shots. It's as though he dreams up very difficult projects to test my skills and then tells me I must do them, even if something already exists that does the same thing, something I improved and is working fine. But he wants more. He has grand ideas. But it is beyond what I do, mainly because I have a mountain of work to get done each week. To work on massive projects, I need to focus, and I don't have that. I am slacked constantly by users who need my help. And a variety of other work too, all on tight deadlines.

We are a startup and recently had to cut budgets so that meant I lost a colleague who was beginning to take some of the work, although I had to train her and despite I wrote a very detailed document, she wasn't following it because I had to keep doing things she'd forgotten. Yes, I would tell her, but it continued. So it took time away anyway, but I had hope. I knew she was capable. I also learned that they would not be hiring a developer, something I was looking forward to, someone who could take the pressure off of me, especially the massive undertakings. Enough of that.

My life is hell, I live in fear constantly of the next impossibility. Most of the people I work with don't have technical skills, so everything is expected of me. I've never been in such a dilemma. So I am looking for something else.

Question: what do I say is the reason I am looking for a new opportunity? I can't just say, "It's not a good fit." It isn't, but they will want to know more. Believe me, I work hard, and I'm very good at what I do, so I don't want to come off as difficult or that I can't handle pressure. I can handle a lot, but this is beyond a lot. I look forward to your advice. Thanks!

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AnonymousJune 2,2022 at 10:54AM UTC
An honest assessment of the workload and lack of support staff. It goes back to those first couple of weeks. The position isn't staffed properly. It's not a secret.
AnonymousJune 2,2022 at 11:35AM UTC
I agree.
But what do I tell potential employers? I am worried about this company's ability to become sustainable. We are living on venture capital, and we are losing far more deals than we are winning. So all that trickles down to the staff. Everyone is anxious.
But I can't tell future employers the truth. What can I say that doesn't put me in a bad light? Thanks
AnonymousJune 2,2022 at 4:15PM UTC
A potential employer doesn't care about your concerns of sustainability or your fears about this company's funding. Everyone understands that very few startups succeed. That's just reality. Show that you are business savvy by not spending any breath on that little bit of time spent there.
SIMPLY PUT: You explain that they company is a startup and is struggling and the job you were hired for didn't materialize. 15 seconds tops. Next.
No drama or focus on that company. Focus on your next opportunity and connecting with the hiring group there. Keep the focus on you, your skills, experience and education and goals. What you bring to the table.
AnonymousJune 2,2022 at 12:21PM UTC
Of course you CAN say " It's not a good fit". Say it with me... It's not a good fit! If your life is hell ( and as you describe it, I would agree), get out of there! No more reasons needed, just ( I hear you saying) It's not a good fit! Adding more top layers to a cake that's falling over doesn't prevent the cake from falling over; it only makes more of a mess to clean up. HR did you a disservice by acknowledging the manager was problem and not doing anything about it. I hope you find a new position soon!
AnonymousJune 2,2022 at 1:53PM UTC
I tried this before, but they ask, "why isn't it a good fit?" I told one person the same as I've read here, that the workload is beyond manageable and he said, "Let me give you some advice, don't tell potential employers what you just said." I see that as dodging a bullet, but seriously, I feel like I have to be almost superhuman to function. It's gotten so I look at everyone I see outside of work and wonder, how do they do it? How can they function on no sleep or not eating, or constant anxiety so they can make enough to live? I'm clearly doing something wrong.
AnonymousJune 2,2022 at 4:18PM UTC
You are way to heavily emotionally invested. They are able to do it because it's not a big deal or they haven't realized it's not a big deal.
Tracey MorrisJune 2,2022 at 12:34PM UTC
Transparent communication about the work load and expectations is the best place to start. The leadership needs to understand the kind of pressure you are under. Start ups are often organizations that require employees to be spread a bit more thin and cover a variety of needs due to limited budget and hopeful growth. But what you are describing sounds extreme. Just tell them how you really feel!
Michele DarleyJune 2,2022 at 12:40PM UTC
Not a good cultural fit.
The job I was hired for is not the job that I'm doing.
Keep it simple and true.
AnonymousJune 2,2022 at 4:05PM UTC
Use it as a "In-the-meantime" gig to keep your bills paid.while you search for something else.
Julie HumbirdJune 2,2022 at 9:49PM UTC
I've been right where you are. It was hard and stressful but I learned so much. My Manager would assign me to all sorts of projects delivering work I've never done before. My customers wouldn't learn the technology they paid me to deliver and had never-ending questions. Some days I just took deep breaths and told myself that I can do. All that experience is why my current manager hired me. My best advise is to set some boundaries. Push back when timelines are unrealistic. Give yourself more time, don't allow anyone to set you up to work weekends. Get your resume/LinkedIn looking amazing with all these projects you are crushing.
Also, I've dealt with a few start-ups. You can always just say, "Well, the environment is challenging and fast-paced but I have see their financials and that's why I'm looking"
AnonymousJune 3,2022 at 1:20PM UTC
Hmm what’s the recruiter’s motivation to keep you there? Wonder if there’s a retention bonus for her based on how long you stay.
In terms of framing reason for looking- “it wasn’t a good fit. I learned that I work best in environment that allows me to XYZ and where my passions around my ABC talents are leveraged to promote collaboration and growth among self and colleagues” I think in framing it not being a good fit with what you learned about yourself and how you can best contribute puts it into perspective for both you and potential new employer.
good luck with your search!
AnonymousJune 3,2022 at 11:38PM UTC
First of all, I am sorry and this is very heartbreaking. I can tell you are mentally stretched thin (working into the weekends). You need to put your mental and emotional health and wellness first.
DON"T TELL THEM ANYTHING. Especially since HR MANIPULATED you into staying in a toxic environment. You don't need that her working her deceptive magic on you again...nope don't do it. Since they need you right now, use that leverage now and take back your weekends. Since I know it is easier said than done, if you work 12 hr days on the weekends, decrease it to 6 hrs, then decrease to 3hrs, then decrease to just Saturdays until you are no longer sacrificing your downtime. (Are they even paying you overtime)???!!!!
As you start to slowly reclaim your life again carve out time to meditate daily 20min when you wake up & 20 min before you go to sleep to help clear your head from a stressful day. Get outside and go for walks daily (30+min a day) Go online and read about what walking does for your mental health, especially if you can get out in nature, do it.
Carve out time to aggressively and strategically apply for positions. Make sure your resume and cover letter covers the critical keywords on the job announcements and highlights your achievements. Sell the hell out of yourself and highlight these instances you point out here that would help set you apart to show how dependable and reliable you are. i.e. training new staff, stepping up to lead major efforts and projects.
Take care of yourself and do your best to maintain a healthy work/life/balance. Work burnout is some real sh******, I worked myself to severe illness and am very lucky I recovered. Don't let that be you.
AnonymousJune 4,2022 at 12:55PM UTC
Thank you. I am a daily walker and meditator, but you are right. I've let that lapse because I let my stress overcome me. And I can't tear away from my desk until I feel things are under control, and they never are because it's a deluge. No more. Thanks again.
AnonymousJune 4,2022 at 11:08PM UTC
No problem and good luck. See you already know all the answers, just get back to your best self. You deserve to be happy and enjoying life again.
AnonymousJune 4,2022 at 12:52PM UTC
Thanks so much, everyone. Excellent advice here. I think I'm good. I appreciate your help. We just laid off 59 people two days ago. Very sad. Good people. I wasn't one of them, but it's a red flag, especially since it is not clear what their strategy is to "refocus priorities" besides cutting heads. Onward and upward, is my strategy. Thanks again.
AnonymousJune 4,2022 at 4:31PM UTC
Hence why I posed the question. LOL it clearly is the payment and knowing what a PITA that position has been to fill and to retain. If I were recruiter (& I have been at one point in my career), I would have had a direct conversation as to why people were leaving and either said goodbye to working with company or changed the contract to helping hire only- retainment is on them. Also many people don’t understand, unless you pay to hire a recruiter to represent you individually, the recruiter’s loyalty is more with the company/the money. That’s who the contract is with. As a recruiter, one wants to assure best candidate and fit for a given company and will absolutely support the strong candidate in the process and want a good fit for that person too but again they essentially work on behalf of company.
Michele DarleyJune 5,2022 at 2:24AM UTC
Internal recruiters don’t usually make commission. They are salaried. More likely the recruiter didn’t want you to quit and have to rehire. You may not be the first person who’s had an issue.