Hello FairyGodBoss ladies,

Anonymous

August 30,2022 at 2:27PM UTC

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Hello FairyGodBoss ladies,

I'm feeling really lost and need some advice. I started a new virtual Marketing role at the end of July so I am 1 month into the organization.

On my first day, my boss shared w/me that she's resigned from her role and the organization with her last day being 8/5. The following week or so later it was announced the product I work on has been sold to another group of investors effective 12/2022. This doesn't affect my role or team but 200 or so employees will be separated from the larger organization which is not what I signed up for, nor was anything communicated to me. I understand this was a business decision and it had to be kept confidential/NDA, etc but I'm not happy with this at all.

Help! I feel so lost and anxious being so new and a "start-up" environment is not what I'm looking for. I've spoken w/Senior Leadership and HR about what my options are if I can transfer to a different team but usually, the policy is you have to stay in your role for 1 year before making any moves within the company. There may be exceptions so I have to wait and see right now.

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KimAugust 30,2022 at 2:41PM UTC
Wow!
I am celebrating your ability to see your potential and possibilities in your new endeavor! You got this!
Andrea VentimigliaAugust 31,2022 at 4:28AM UTC
Thank you
KarenAugust 30,2022 at 2:57PM UTC
It is unsettling to have the environment around you change so quickly. Do you like your role in the company? Can you stick it out for a year if you can't move elsewhere in the company? My sister has worked for a company since 2009 and they have been bought and sold by investors multiple times. She is happy where she is at and considers it part of the company culture. Try not to be anxious, it doesn't change the situation and it just ties you up in knots internally.
AnonymousAugust 30,2022 at 2:58PM UTC
I would wait and see what be done if anything. In the meantime keep looking for a new job.
If things are not to your liking at least you lost much time with your search.
Andrea VentimigliaAugust 31,2022 at 4:28AM UTC
Thank you
Barb HansenAugust 30,2022 at 3:08PM UTC
You say that you nor the team you work for is not affected by the product you currently support, so that's a good thing.
Products get sold all the time.
And since having experience with managing the transfer of that product's internal work-product is a great set of skills to have, I would look at this as an opportunity and lean into it.
It's not like you found out on 11/30/2022 that your product was being sold in Dec, you've got time.
You'll be supporting the existing product and you can help plan the transition. So volunteer for the transition team (if your company is putting together a team), or volunteer to act as the product liaison to the new owners (a great opportunity to expand your network) .
Good luck!
Echo SchneiderAugust 30,2022 at 4:34PM UTC
What is it about the 'start-up' environment that you are struggling with? Or another way to ask would be what would you be looking for in transferring to another team? What would be different there?
AnonymousAugust 30,2022 at 5:01PM UTC
To protect yourself, keep applying externally. Once it is handed off to investors, it is a coin toss what could happen. Find a stable environment to thrive in.
Andrea VentimigliaAugust 31,2022 at 4:27AM UTC
Thank you
AnonymousAugust 30,2022 at 5:16PM UTC
I would like to amplify what others have already posted. Change can bring opportunity. Questions you might want to ask yourself are
1) Am I happy with the work I am doing?
2) Do I continue to see this as an organization where I can grow professionally?
3) Do I feel my work relationships are high quality? (clear, effective, overwhelmingly positive communication with supportive, professional, engaged supervisor and colleagues)
4) Regardless of the business decision that precipitated great, unexpected change, are the organization's values aligned with mine?
If you can envision how riding these waves of change might lead to greater career potential, think about how you can squelch those fears so that you can shine in your new role. Maybe finding peers who can be allies. Maybe practicing relaxation techniques outside of work time or during the workday as time allows (e.g. deep breathing, meditation, taking a walk, etc.). Maybe making sure to read all internal updates about the organization and to attend all organization wide meetings so that you can stay on top of its news.
If you feel that these unforeseen challenges are more than what you bargained for or that they cannot be favorable to you, you can always start investigating new roles elsewhere.
AnonymousAugust 30,2022 at 7:07PM UTC
Since your job seems safe for the time being, I'd suggest waiting to see how things shake out before making a leap.
Talk to other teams and start making connections. That way if you're afforded the opportunity to move within the company, you're ahead of the process.
Things change every day at companies and sometimes it's for the better. That's why it's important to value more than your team as people leave for new opportunities. I'm sorry you feel scared and that's a horrible situation. Try to remain calm and get to know the overall company and decide if you want to stay. While having a job, start making contacts and see what else is out there so you have options.
Crystal HowellAugust 31,2022 at 12:29PM UTC
Sit tight, see what HR says if they can transfer you to another dept. I would find out who are the investors and see if they are hiring, since you know the product. Where did your boss go? Have lunch and see if they are hiring. It happens, never know what is going on. Always google the company, check yahoo financing, google for lawsuits, glassdoor before your next job. Good Luck
AnonymousAugust 31,2022 at 2:45PM UTC
I would wait for what happens. When I came into my current role, the manager I thought I would work with left the same day but things worked out for me in the long run. Stick it out m.
AnonymousSeptember 1,2022 at 8:55AM UTC
The exact same thing happened to me but I just went with the flow, eased into my role gradually and took some continuing education since I didn't have a heavy workload.
It worked out extremely well. I was seen as solid and engaged and very resourceful. I gained a promotion in 10 months with more $ and a bonus at my annual review. Now those promotions or much more difficult to come by but I was in the right place at the right time in the transition. This probably bumped up my career momentum by 5 years.
I say stop letting fear and worry sabotage what might be a good opportunity. You can always leave for another job. But this may be a surprise.
AnonymousSeptember 4,2022 at 7:02PM UTC
Congratulations on keeping options open but staying focused on what you could control in your particular situation! This is excellent advice for OP.
AnonymousSeptember 1,2022 at 6:17PM UTC
I’m so sorry you are going through this. I have been in your shoes but ultimately the organization retained me. My advice to people going through this is to put your best foot forward and polish your résumé by taking advantage of all learning opportunities provided. Your goal is to leave with a stellar reference and new skills on your résumé. The best part is that if you end up staying, these are exactly the characteristics of the type of person an organization would want to retain. Finally, the people with your organization that you will be working so hard to impress likely network in the field and can be very useful advocates for your next position, if you end up being let go.