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New job opportunity after burnout
I left my previous workplace a few months ago due to a bad case of burnout. I was working 12 hour days non-stop, barely any time for myself to even eat lunch, with very little prospect that things were going to change.
I've started applying to jobs—primarily contract roles as I'm nervous about diving head first into full-time so quickly. I recently interviewed for a company that, on paper, has everything I want. The interview went well and I felt like I jived with the team. However, when I asked about boundaries and work-life balance, several people mentioned that they're working long hours (one said 16 hrs), some even seemed a bit frazzled during the interview because they had 'that kind of day'.
I'm trying to see the bright side of things—the role, company, good team, it's contract so it's not forever—but there were some red flags that make me hesitant to accept an offer if it were offered to me. I keep going back and forth and am trying to figure out what specific terms make the most sense in the contract to help me in case I do receive an offer.
I would be so grateful for any advice or guidance on this!
Lori Kendall
11
10/13/20 at 11:24PM UTC
I'm coming from a very similar experience! I was working 24/7, 365 and I ended up being very unhappy and burning out. Since then I've interviewed for several companies where my question about work/life balance has been met with uncomfortable silence or I've read reviews on Glassdoor that confirm that people are working very long hours. Some of these companies seem great with great corporate culture and excellent benefits...but the thing is that I've already worked that much and found that it didn't work for me.
Listen to yourself. You know you better than anyone else on this planet and you've already tried working long hours and come to conclusions about how that makes you feel. It is 100% legitimate to listen to your values and needs and decide that a different type of company that promotes healthy balance is a better fit for you.
Working long hours is about culture and rarely about output - plenty of high paying companies that function incredibly efficiently value work-life balance for their employees. It might be harder to find or take some effort to get into, but if you have the ability to choose your values over a position then I'd listen to your instincts and see if you can find something that makes you excited and not apprehensive.
Alicia MasonRetailer!
60
10/10/20 at 4:46AM UTC
By now, perhaps you have already heard back from the company about the role. I'll try to offer a different perspective!
It sounds like the industry you work in, these type of work hours are common (and surely not sustainable for anyone long term). Is there a chance you can transition to a new industry (less work hours and less chance of burnout) that you are passionate about utilising your skills from your current experience?
Shweta BrahmakshatriyaProject Management Professional from India
51
10/07/20 at 2:24AM UTC
In my opinion, the more you get the work done, the more you have on your plate, if you really want to start working for this great company, make sure your boundaries are set at the beginning. Because if you work for 17 hrs in the starting 2 months and then you don't give that much, the expectation and attitude will not change, it will still be expected that you work for 17 hrs, even more and more each day.
KelliHelps senior-level women make career changes
1.46k
10/06/20 at 11:43PM UTC
This would be a big red flag for me as well. If burnout was the main reason you left, try not to put yourself in another position that will have you in the same spot a year from now.
Abby HambellCreate a life you're obsessed with
43
10/06/20 at 10:08PM UTC
I experienced the exact same thing myself when I was still working in the corporate environment. First, I would get clear on what you want in your next workplace: what kind of salary? what does the environment feel like? what kind of coworker relationship do you want? is it flexible or does it have a solid work/life balance? what industry is it in?
Get clarity first on the experience you want to create for yourself in this next place and what the ideal set up would be. Then, as you're going through job listings, it'll be a lot easier to spot the ones that fit or don't fit with what you've declared you want.
Also, your inner peace game may need some extra attention. You are worth a lot more than burnout and overwork. You are smart, capable and have great things to offer an employer. Approach new job interviews and opportunities knowing that you are a catch. :)
Kayla FaccilongoOpera Singer | Creative Life & Mindset Coach
49
10/02/20 at 3:51AM UTC
So sorry to hear about your experience with burnout! It sounds like a really tough time.
I left a job last year myself due to burnout that landed me in the hospital.
For me it was the push I needed to go full time freelance (I’d been juggling side hustles in my field and the demands of the full time position were not made clear during the interview process).
My health became the top priority and I saw it as more of a risk to continue in a similar position than it would be to try things on my own - I didn’t want the same thing to happen again, or worse.
I would trust your gut and make sure you know all aspects of the position before accepting.
The role may be temporary but the workload and expectations need to be sustainable over the period of time that’s required.
No job is worth risking your health or compromising your peace.
Sending positive vibes your way.
Anonymous
10/02/20 at 7:22PM UTC
I'm so sorry you went through that and so glad to hear that you were able to find an alternative. I sincerely appreciate your perspective, so thank you for that advice. This is very much how I feel—I'm in a better space right now mentally, the last thing I want to do is undo all the work to get myself here over a job.
Kayla FaccilongoOpera Singer | Creative Life & Mindset Coach
49
10/08/20 at 2:20PM UTC
Absolutely. You and your health come first!
Anonymous
10/01/20 at 10:53PM UTC
I think you do need to take anything workers say with a grain of salt. I know people on my team that the moment they are pushed on something will pull the "I work 12 hour days every day" card, but it's really a thought distortion. Most are exaggerating because I know when they're working and they're not. Beyond that, I always tell my team members that if they are working 12 hour days, they're doing something wrong and we need to figure out what. I'd ask the hiring manager: "Someone mentioned that 12 hour days are pretty normal. Is that consistent with the company culture?" If it is, they are likely going to get cagey. If it isn't, you may have just met some team members that are going to need help with efficiency.
Aly BrineHelping Corporate Hippies thrive on LinkedIn!
1.59k
10/01/20 at 6:24PM UTC
Let's try to make sure you have all the information. Can you talk to anymore people about the role? Can you read reviews online about the organization? If you're a contractor and the folks that were interviewing you were exempt employees, your experience maybe different if the billing rate for you is higher, they might not want you to work as much. Maybe even consider reaching out to people on LinkedIn who also contracted with the company.
Anonymous
10/02/20 at 7:14PM UTC
Thank you, that's great advice. If I do get the role, I'm going to request that I speak to the person I'd be replacing (their role is shifting in a different direction) since he was actually a contractor before becoming full time.
Aly BrineHelping Corporate Hippies thrive on LinkedIn!
1.59k
10/02/20 at 7:30PM UTC
If you're still not feeling it, trust there are many other positions out there right now. You don't have to take one that you're not a "heck yes!" on.
Antonia Calzetti
876
10/01/20 at 6:23PM UTC
You need to figure out what your priorities are for the next step but it also depends on the length of the contract. The beauty of contract work is that you get to see the internal workings of the company before you say, "I do" to a full-time gig. If you take it and you don't like it, you can leave - there is no tie. If you determine that all is good, this will be a great opportunity to navigate your way to a full-time role.
Anonymous
10/02/20 at 7:19PM UTC
This is true, the fact that its contract is the biggest reason I'm more open to it. My concern though, even if it is a contract (about 8months-1yr), I'd still be surrounded by a lot of stress from the people I work with especially given that's is a fast-paced, high stress environment from what I was getting from the people I spoke to. I would want to make sure I could end the contract early if things get too stressful.
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