After the pandemic, I desired to relocate somewhere warm.

Anonymous

May 2,2023 at 2:10PM UTC

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After the pandemic, I desired to relocate somewhere warm. After a year of searching it wasn’t remote as desired and landed an on-site opportunity. I don’t want to sound ungrateful, however, this job could be done remotely and most days there isn’t much to do (a blessing and a curse) . It feels like my work no longer has purpose. Do I stay and be greatful or look for something with purpose? I’m grappling with this as the grass is not always greener on the other side. More importantly , employers aren’t truly honest no matter how genuine, direct, and even behavior based. Thanks in advance for the guidance.

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AnonymousMay 2,2023 at 2:13PM UTC
In today's market you do need to look at if your position is sustainable with the company. That is important. Ask for stretch assignments for growth. Take initiative in partnering with others to learn more of the company and different processes. There's always purpose but if you don't buy in into the company's purpose that's where the passion for a position stays. It's all good though.
AnonymousMay 3,2023 at 12:47PM UTC
I would add sustainable in the economy too. There are a lot of jobs that are going to potentially obsolete in the next few years so I think it's important to take a step back and look at the bigger picture and think about where you want to be in a few years.
Hold on Lee LouMay 2,2023 at 2:56PM UTC
Look for opportunities within this job that could give you more meaning and bring up your desire to do more with your supervisor. I've found that being transparent with my goals and showing my motivation through my current work has paid off with promotions, additional responsibilities that I enjoy, and raises. Treat it like an ongoing conversation - not a demand or a one-and-done throwaway sentence. "I see this, and I have some ideas ..." "I am interested in a management role; what do I need to do to get there?"
If remote work is your top priority, bring that up also. You can suggest one or two work at home days per week and offer to create accountability tracking systems so your boss can see exactly how productive you can be.
Remote work may not be right for that company, though, so do all of the above while also updating your resume and looking for positions elsewhere that may be a better match.
Anne KrookMay 2,2023 at 4:05PM UTC
You can always look. Exploring other opportunities doesn't mean you have to take them. The good thing about your position is that it buys you time to look, and to research a possible new place of employment thoroughly.
You can also use the time at work to ask your employer for training. If they do not have in-house training resources, ask if they will reimburse you for online opportunities. Be sure to show how any new skills will benefit your work for your employer.
AnonymousMay 2,2023 at 4:24PM UTC
Look for opportunities to lead, train (yourself and others) on skills necessary to move to the next level.
Keep track of all you do so you can review it at the appropriate time.
This is not the best time to up and move as the job market is so broken.
Spend some time investing in you and what your next move might be. It will give you something to aspire to when your thoughts go towards leaving. Good Luck
AnonymousMay 2,2023 at 5:17PM UTC
You simply are not doing what you love.
Look for something you love! I agree with others use extra time at work to grow skills. Take advantage of trainings.
AnonymousMay 3,2023 at 2:00PM UTC
If you're happy with the company and need to change up your work responsibilities, talk to your boss about taking on new challenges. Someone is going to eventually figure out that you don't have much to do. You don't want to be in that position. Get out ahead of it or get out to another company.
AnonymousMay 3,2023 at 5:18PM UTC
And were you honest? Clearly you did not tell them your preference to work offsite vs onsite. Employers are not clairvoyant and don't know what you really want unless you ask for that directly. But perhaps you just wanted a job? and so you were afraid to tell them I want 100% remote? If that is what you really want then find it elsewhere. If you just want to make a job change because you are bored and not being challenged or useful there that is a different story. Find the true thing that makes you happiest and seek that out, either in or out of where you are. You could ask your manager for more work to do or other things or volunteer yourself to help others that may have too much on their plates. If it takes a year to find it it could take another year to find it again. It is a tough market out there still, so be prepared for a longer road to get what you want.
AnonymousMay 4,2023 at 12:22PM UTC
I understand your dilemma. If you are not happy, you should find something that makes you happy. If there are more projects at your current job you can do then that is an option, otherwise, I agree with other comments in that you probably should try to get out ahead of it because others will realize that you are not as busy as you could be.
AnonymousMay 4,2023 at 2:33PM UTC
I’ve had a job like this. I would ask many departments for work on a daily basis and I would occasionally get projects to work on but most days were SO dull. I was there mostly to unlock and lock the door. I had to look for another job (this was back in the last recession 13 years ago) it was a beast to find a new job but well worth the time it took me to look. Not all jobs have growth opportunities or a culture that encourages that.
Sarah StadtherrMay 4,2023 at 3:32PM UTC
During your "downtime" can you do any online courses that would increase your job skills? Things like Word/Docs, Excel/Sheets, PowerPoint/Slides are all VERY marketable. I personally wish I'd have done some of this to be more familiar with Google apps that are very prevalent in my current position. It's been a tough road to switch things I did without thought into "I want to x,y,z. How is that done here?"
AnonymousMay 5,2023 at 2:51AM UTC
Is there a possibility you may use some of your "downtime" to enroll in any online courses that would be useful to you in your present role? The ability to create documents in Word, spreadsheets in Excel, and presentations in PowerPoint is very marketable.
https://phrazle.co
AnonymousMay 10,2023 at 12:41PM UTC
I have a masters degree and always willing to learn but this role doesn’t require it. I’m learning Spanish as a personal endeavor but this opportunity doesn’t have growth potential. I appreciate the comments as it helps me determine the appropriate next steps.