Needing some advice… I left my previous employer due to micro management and hierarchy.

Anonymous

June 23,2023 at 12:45PM UTC

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Needing some advice… I left my previous employer due to micro management and hierarchy. I tried to stay in the company, but couldn’t land a different job. I’m now working for a more flexible company and my manager is amazing, but I hate what I’m doing, I don’t feel like a mid-level professional I’ve tried talking with my manager, but nothing seems to change. Feeling discourage I applied to my old employer and I’m being considered the only issue is I would take a slight pay cut and I’ll be in the office. I’m being told that there’s room for advancement but I have to begin at the bottom. Not sure if this is a good move on my part.

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AnonymousJune 23,2023 at 1:02PM UTC
Don’t sell your worth short. You have chance to explore opportunities at other companies. Do not go backwards if you can help it. I boomeranged 4 times with the same company but each time was a promotion with salary. If you take less than you had previously then it sends a message to others at the company that there is nothing out there so you better stay where you are and in line. Let them know that you appreciate them trying to find an position for you but starting over at bottom is not in your career path. Next find out where you want to be and what you want to do. Gain new skills if you need them. Continue doing your work until you land the next job that will put back on track. Remember a job is work and sometimes we have to do things that are boring or based on someone else’s ideas. Watch some old movies to see how bosses and work use to be. You may feel differently about your current situation. Good luck.
AnonymousJune 23,2023 at 3:09PM UTC
I would be taking a pay cut as my new employer has offered me well over than what I was making. I made it clear to my previous employer that I would not take less than what I was making in my previous role and they agreed to proceed.
Elizabyth HarringtonJune 23,2023 at 2:02PM UTC
The fact that you would have to start at the bottom and take a pay cut demonstrates that your old employer doesn’t value you. Move on and find a company that does. They’re out there. Don’t sell yourself short.
AnonymousJune 23,2023 at 5:05PM UTC
The pay cut indicates that you are definitely taking a step down. But if you will love the position that more than makes up for the trip back up the ladder.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJune 24,2023 at 12:53AM UTC
I would proceed with extreme caution. Based on your description, I don't understand why you'd want to work for either of these companies.
Going back to your old company would almost be like accepting a counter offer except you're not even getting any more money. Counter offers rarely work out long term. What has changed since you left?
My suggestion would be to continue your job search. You're in a spot where you have the luxury of time - and that luxury should be used to find the right fit for you. You just sound like you're bored. Figure out what you're really looking for. What kind of questions to ask so you can make a truly informed decision on if it's the right fit for you. Did you do that with the position at your old company? I don't see how going back to someplace where you were unhappy is going to improve your life.
AnonymousJune 24,2023 at 12:10PM UTC
I am bored, i feel that I’m not utilizing my skill and very much feel like my managers personal assistant/secretary, not what I signed up for as an investigator/trainer. My previous employer is a great employer with amazing benefits that’s one of the reasons I wouldn’t mind going back. The role was a role I had my eye on before I left, unfortunately there were no openings until now.
AnonymousJune 24,2023 at 6:35PM UTC
100% Continue the search! It's like going back to ex. Sure it's familiar and you already know what to expect but overtime old issues will just come back. It seems like you're looking for something more challenging any ways. Your dream job is waiting for you, you just have to find it! Best of luck!
AnonymousJune 25,2023 at 1:05PM UTC
You didn't like the old employer!
Stick it out where you are and keep searching. Remember all jobs have downsides. Personally, I'd rather do crap work for a great boss than interesting work for a micromanager.
AnonymousJune 25,2023 at 4:57PM UTC
Why return to a place where you clearly were not happy, the grass is not always greener...if you have not been at the new company for 6 months give it some time. Change is difficult and you might just have to learn how to manage your manager and let them know you want some stretch goals and to be pushed outside of what you were hired to do. Not sure if you are dealing with boredom or just lack of good work but make the job your own and take the initiative to go outside of what you were hired for. Get noticed by higherups and see if you can find your true purpose there. Your career should be controlled by you, so do take control and make it about what you need. Ask for it and if you don't get it reach for it anyway!
Sarah ChambersJune 25,2023 at 11:53PM UTC
What do you hate about it? Is the role not as described? There are ways to try to lean into what drives your passion. I'd avoid going back to a place you left or consider why you're thinking about it beyond compensation.
I've led people who I've also eventually helped move into another department, but once we talked career path, I helped align them with projects and clients that lean into areas they had more passion. They still had to do all objectives and work with their primary role, but they had opportunities to build skills towards their ultimate path.
AnonymousJune 26,2023 at 7:12PM UTC
I hate the admin work, and I hate feeling like im someones secretary (that’s not what i signed up for) however, I understand that sometimes we need to assist and do admin work, I’m not against it. I’m 6 months in and nothing has changed. I’ve had two conversations with my boss and my director, but only get the “ok you’ll get the next case” or “well there’s nothing to do, but we’ll figure something out” maybe that’s the culture, not sure.
I’m considering because I’m familiar with the team and the role (had my eye on the job when I was there, but there was no openings). The compensation isn’t much of a loss, but I would lose my work/life balance, and would have to consider childcare and commute. The culture is very different, I’m currently in a more modern environment versus my previous employer that is more conservative (and I don’t see that changing, ever).
Sarah ChambersJune 27,2023 at 9:25PM UTC
I've found for myself personally balance and environment outweigh a lot. You can use this as a stop gap to find what you really want. Commute and childcare pull from compensation and certainly time. Micromanagement is also a no go for me.
There have been slow starts with previous jobs as people ramp up and more things can be delegated. If your new boss is working late or has too much going on, see if there is anything you can take off their plate? And again, I'd use this time to keep looking unless things change and you get more work that feeds your brain and passion. I've also always told new hires please please enjoy being less busy now as I've had to learn that too over time. Good luck and if nothing else take a minute to appreciate that you have good ambition and want to provide value!