Musing aloud & hoping for some thoughts: I started a new role with a new company about a month ago.

Anonymous

July 24,2022 at 4:46PM UTC

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Musing aloud & hoping for some thoughts: I started a new role with a new company about a month ago. My previous role was 100% remote, and this new role is a couple of times a week in the office (45 mi away/1.5 hr commute each way)

I have run into two issues.

1) Realizing that I do NOT want to be hybrid. I thought it might be good for me to get out a couple times a week, but the commute is long and those are truly my least productive days. There is 0 need for it.

2) They were upfront with me about what the challenges were for the role, and I respected that and went in knowing what I was in for. However, I thought (stupidly, I admit) that the challenges were only within my particular department/team because they needed a Project Manager (me). It turns out the most of org has the same type of issue. My team has to work cross-functionally with many of the other departments so it’s not even that I could just “stay in my lane” and work on our department because I’m uncovering so many issues in so many areas, in many ways like working in a startup yet this is a well established company. Not hating on a startup, but it’s not the right fit for me. Been there/done it.

I guess my REAL question is this. If I’m only a month in, and I’m regretting my decision even with only the commute, how bad does it look to be looking for another job?

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AnonymousJuly 24,2022 at 5:07PM UTC
Can't really answer your question. How bad it has to be before you look for another job is subjective. On the other hand...
What can you do to improve the current situation? Can you negotiate for just one day in the office? Are there others frustrated by some of the same issues that might be willing to work with you to improve the situation?
A new job can take lots of energy, especially with some of the problems you are encountering. (Commuting takes lots of energy too.) So it can be hard to search at the same time, but if you can squeeze in a bit of time to hunt, you can also keep an eye out for something better - especially at more senior levels of a profession it can take a long time to find something.
Good luck!
AnonymousJuly 24,2022 at 5:07PM UTC
I'm on my third company in a year. Obviously, staying with the one I'm at now, but just explain yourself if they even ask.
AnonymousJuly 24,2022 at 5:37PM UTC
You still have every right to feel what you feel. Respect your feelings and put in for a bid. If you do not love the job enough to even make it to work it will only lead to you feeling bitter and more frustrated down the road. Do yourself and a company a favor. Everything is not for everybody. Find your dream job and dont waste it in an environment that you do not want to be in. A month is a short time to be leaving, but plenty of people do it, especially if they narrowed down their choices to 2 and there was a delay in getting the better of the 2 choices.
AnonymousJuly 24,2022 at 6:24PM UTC
You should really do some self-reflecting to make sure you understand the bottom line issue for you - is it the commute or the job or both? If it's the commute, then I'm sure you could discuss this with your manager and see what arrangements could be made. If it's the job, you'll have to decide if there's an upside. You can look at this (at least) two ways: would sticking with the opportunity give you more experience and build upon a skill set that would be invaluable to your career down the road? or is this company so dysfunctional that you will be dragged/bogged down? Ultimately, you have to do what's best for you (and your family if that applies) with the understanding that no job is perfect and often you have to get in there and just do your best to make things better. Good luck!
AnonymousJuly 24,2022 at 7:26PM UTC
Maybe the question ought to be how bad will it be for you if you do not look for another job? As another poster alluded, is there anything you can do to improve your outlook about the workplace or the job itself? Are there any changes that can be made so you can better tolerate the commute? If not, you owe yourself the opportunity to find a job that is more suitable to you, in terms of career goals, work environment and work format.
If you begin job searching, people - potential employers, recruiters, your professional references, people with whom you network - will ask you why you are seeking a new opportunity. Have a brief response ready. Do not speak negatively of your current employer. Emphasize what your career aspirations are and what your expectations were for this role. Indicate you see things moving in a different direction and/or at a different pace. You can cite any major accomplishments you have made in this first month on the job.
If a long commute is something you do not want no matter how many days per week, reveal this information. If you would be okay with hybrid, think of how many days per week you would not mind working onsite and how long of a commute you would be willing to accept. Think of how you might be commuting, too. Are you forced into driving because the workplace is inaccessible via public transportation? Is driving to and from work during peak commuting times a given because of your anticipated work schedule?
New job remorse happens. But, if after 1 month you believe you have gathered enough evidence that this work environment, the work format and the job itself are not going to enable you to thrive now or in the foreseeable future, not looking for another job because you are afraid of what others might think is not doing yourself and your career any favors.
AnonymousJuly 24,2022 at 10:25PM UTC
Ask yourself why you took a role and think it is the wrong role for you after 1 month. You don't want to make that mistake again.
AnonymousJuly 25,2022 at 2:54PM UTC
There’s 2 schools of thought on this. 1) every job is a challenge especially in the beginning. Be patient and things will get better 2) your first impression is correct and it’s better to get out before it has an impact on your health and personal life.
I can’t tell you which way to go. The bottom line is that you are in the position so only you know how good/ bad your job is. I personally have stayed at a few bad jobs too long because I was nervous about how it would have looked on my resume. It was a mistake. I nearly lost my health and relationship from one position I stayed in. on the other hand some work out.
So if you are only sticking around because of how it might look, I’d say move on. If you want to give it some time I’d say set a date 6 weeks from now to take time to reassess. If you feel the same I’d say move on.
AnonymousJuly 27,2022 at 10:31AM UTC
Great post! It’s so good that I had to come back and find it (I read this yesterday). I like that you brought up the two schools of thought and I think the ultimate answer is, it depends on the job! I left one job too soon and wasn’t patient enough. I took another job that’s not a good fit and it’s highly unlikely to get better. So I’m going back to the first job with life lessons under my belt and a more mature perspective. Yes, there are two main schools of thought and which one to go with depends on the job and corporate culture.
AnonymousJuly 25,2022 at 5:10PM UTC
I don’t personally know any recruiters but I can’t see that these things happen. We take a job with high hopes and expectations but sometimes we just find that the environment isn’t what we had expected.
And if you can find a job where you can go back to being fully remote or at least cut down on that awful commute who wouldn’t understand?
Three hours a day spent driving! I hope you don’t work a full eight hour day those days!
AnonymousAugust 4,2022 at 7:28PM UTC
I live on Long Island NY where a 3-hour commute to NYC is totally normal.
AnonymousJuly 25,2022 at 7:55PM UTC
You're only a month in. That is not a horror situation.
Just find a new job and offer notice.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 26,2022 at 12:28AM UTC
Personally, I have more respect for someone who says "this is not a fit for me" than someone who thinks they should "stick it out" and be miserable for 6 months or a year because ...
I don't know why - it will look better on their resume?
Sometimes when you know, you know. I have known on Day One that the position was not the right fit for me. I still worked there for several months while I searched for a new position, but I was right in my initial assessment. I've never had a job get better. Ever.
I wouldn't give the commute as a reason for looking - you knew there was a 3 hour commute when you accepted the position and you said you were ok with that.
I would have an honest conversation with yourself about what you need to do during the interview process to make sure you do not wind up in this situation again. You need to figure out how to drill down and ask the questions that will uncover these sorts of systemic issues.
As an employee, all you really have to invest is your time. Isn't it better to invest it in a better company/position where it will pay off for you in the long run.
I say fire that resume back up.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
AnonymousJuly 30,2022 at 4:03PM UTC
Do it. It will not look bad. Since the pandemic, gaps on your resume are not "red flags" to most recruiters and organizations. The Great Resignation has affected many people and businesses. You can do it.
AnonymousAugust 4,2022 at 7:26PM UTC
You have two distinct choices:
1) cut and run don’t even put this job on your resume when looking for the next one. Just use this month long job as an important lesson. OR
2) be the person who steps up and changes this dysfunctional company. Why can’t you be the One? If you can lead teams, work through the pandemic and work remotely and still be successful, you should have the ability to light a fire under management’s rear end to fix things. They need a “you” to come in with new vision and tell them what’s wrong and make recommendations. Maybe management never knew about the issues, didn’t realize that they were problems, didn’t care, didn’t know what to do, or a combination of all of these. So you can cut and run or work to fix it. I vote for you being the fixer. If it works out, you will move up and be able to really make an impact on the company. If they don’t change, you were leaving anyway, right? Good luck.
AlexisAugust 15,2022 at 12:13PM UTC
Continue to really give this new job a chance. Given that you are less productive on days you come into the office perhaps speak with your manager and ask if you can cut that down to 1 day per week. The answer may be no but it might also be not right away, maybe this change can take effect after 6 months. Also think about the reasons you accepted the job in the first place and what you want to learn from it. This will help when looking for a new job and why you want to work there.
AnonymousAugust 15,2022 at 6:19PM UTC
OP, I'd love an update. Did you make your decision?