Leave boring 'dream' job or wait it out?
March 28, 2011 11:33 AM Subscribe
Took a chance at my 'dream' employer but am finding it might be a mistake. Should I wait longer or persue other avenues?
I work for one of the largest and well known chip manufacturers. Ever since I got into IT I always said it would be awesome to work here. I finally got a chance to join (Contractor though) and so I did. I quit my job of 2 years for more money but way less responsibility and way closer to home. Great right? However it is now over 3 months since I started and I have done close to nothing. Ive done tons of training, helping out other groups, but most of the time I sit and wait. I am not one to sit and be bored, especially at work. I have been told they are waiting for a position to open but it always is 'Wait 1 more day/week/etc'. My job is 'secure' as I have made a pretty good reputation for myself by helping out any group that needs it. I just cant do this any longer I fear. I appreciate the paycheck and am getting paid decently well to do nothing.
So do I keep at my 'dream' employer (Even though I am a contractor) for what might come down the bend? Or do I look for other opportunities to try and get back into doing things? I have to be really sure since I have a wife+child to think of. I hate looking for jobs and that whole stress in it, especially since I just did this same thing just over 3 months ago.
Do you hold out and be bored, unsure of what you will be doing? Or do you cut your losses and get out?
I work for one of the largest and well known chip manufacturers. Ever since I got into IT I always said it would be awesome to work here. I finally got a chance to join (Contractor though) and so I did. I quit my job of 2 years for more money but way less responsibility and way closer to home. Great right? However it is now over 3 months since I started and I have done close to nothing. Ive done tons of training, helping out other groups, but most of the time I sit and wait. I am not one to sit and be bored, especially at work. I have been told they are waiting for a position to open but it always is 'Wait 1 more day/week/etc'. My job is 'secure' as I have made a pretty good reputation for myself by helping out any group that needs it. I just cant do this any longer I fear. I appreciate the paycheck and am getting paid decently well to do nothing.
So do I keep at my 'dream' employer (Even though I am a contractor) for what might come down the bend? Or do I look for other opportunities to try and get back into doing things? I have to be really sure since I have a wife+child to think of. I hate looking for jobs and that whole stress in it, especially since I just did this same thing just over 3 months ago.
Do you hold out and be bored, unsure of what you will be doing? Or do you cut your losses and get out?
I appreciate the paycheck and am getting paid decently well to do nothing.
Um, take a book and count your blessings? Is there some kind of hobby or skill-development thing you could do while you're at work until a position opens? I know it sucks to be mind-numbingly bored, but in this economy it's better than being bored at home with nothing but an unemployment check.
posted by motsque at 11:44 AM on March 28, 2011 [4 favorites]
Um, take a book and count your blessings? Is there some kind of hobby or skill-development thing you could do while you're at work until a position opens? I know it sucks to be mind-numbingly bored, but in this economy it's better than being bored at home with nothing but an unemployment check.
posted by motsque at 11:44 AM on March 28, 2011 [4 favorites]
Best answer: Recruiter (not in your field) talking here ...
Sorry to hear things have worked out the way they have. I'm not suggesting that three months of sheer boredom hasn't sent you nearly 'round the bend, but three months isn't really a very long time in the grand scheme of things; i.e., your employer's world.
Relax. (Easy for me to say, I know.) Pat yourself on the back for having developed the great reputation that you have, in such a short time. Cash their checks and enjoy your shortened commute. Give them another 90 days. Why?
1. If this really is your 'dream' employer, something should break in that amount of time. And if it did, how much would you regret having left?
2. If nothing does break in that amount of time, you have a very strong story to tell to potential employers about why you're interviewing.
On the other hand, if your situation is completely at odds with what you were told when you joined, then all bets are off. Time for a serious conversation with the boss.
posted by John Borrowman at 11:58 AM on March 28, 2011 [2 favorites]
Sorry to hear things have worked out the way they have. I'm not suggesting that three months of sheer boredom hasn't sent you nearly 'round the bend, but three months isn't really a very long time in the grand scheme of things; i.e., your employer's world.
Relax. (Easy for me to say, I know.) Pat yourself on the back for having developed the great reputation that you have, in such a short time. Cash their checks and enjoy your shortened commute. Give them another 90 days. Why?
1. If this really is your 'dream' employer, something should break in that amount of time. And if it did, how much would you regret having left?
2. If nothing does break in that amount of time, you have a very strong story to tell to potential employers about why you're interviewing.
On the other hand, if your situation is completely at odds with what you were told when you joined, then all bets are off. Time for a serious conversation with the boss.
posted by John Borrowman at 11:58 AM on March 28, 2011 [2 favorites]
I'm in the same boat.
I have a feeling most people will reply with "be happy you have a job" (which is what I encountered a lot). And I was/am happy I have a job... but not happy to feel like my talents are being wasted. And not happy to sit and do nothing. There's only so many hours I can do nothing.
I'm currently an employee at one of the best places to work in this part of my state. For the last two years, I have been assigned to different areas as they see fit.
The first assignment I had, I sat in an office and did nothing for 2-3 months and it was very very frustrating. The woman I was working for was constantly busy and had her door shut. In fact, she wasn't even able to train me on work-specific systems for 4 months.
But then that finally changed and I worked until their budget ran out and was assigned to a different assignment.
In my current assignment, I have plenty of work but because of budgeting issues, they have not hired me permanently in this group.
Now, what's frustrating is that a lot of other people in the same "pool" as myself have come in and within a month or two were hired by their groups because their groups had more budget.
I will admit, I have started looking for other work in the private sector... but most of the pay is half of what I'm making. So I only apply for jobs that have decent pay as of right now.
In any case, I say hang in there but still look around for other similiar jobs that pay equal or more. Apply for those in the meantime.
I know it's frustrating... When things turn around, you'lll probably be glad you stuck around. Or at least, that's how it has always worked out for me in the situations I've been in.
Also, how lax is your new employer? Would you be able to network and work for other groups?
Can you do some webtraining, take some online classes while you wait?
posted by KogeLiz at 12:02 PM on March 28, 2011
I have a feeling most people will reply with "be happy you have a job" (which is what I encountered a lot). And I was/am happy I have a job... but not happy to feel like my talents are being wasted. And not happy to sit and do nothing. There's only so many hours I can do nothing.
I'm currently an employee at one of the best places to work in this part of my state. For the last two years, I have been assigned to different areas as they see fit.
The first assignment I had, I sat in an office and did nothing for 2-3 months and it was very very frustrating. The woman I was working for was constantly busy and had her door shut. In fact, she wasn't even able to train me on work-specific systems for 4 months.
But then that finally changed and I worked until their budget ran out and was assigned to a different assignment.
In my current assignment, I have plenty of work but because of budgeting issues, they have not hired me permanently in this group.
Now, what's frustrating is that a lot of other people in the same "pool" as myself have come in and within a month or two were hired by their groups because their groups had more budget.
I will admit, I have started looking for other work in the private sector... but most of the pay is half of what I'm making. So I only apply for jobs that have decent pay as of right now.
In any case, I say hang in there but still look around for other similiar jobs that pay equal or more. Apply for those in the meantime.
I know it's frustrating... When things turn around, you'lll probably be glad you stuck around. Or at least, that's how it has always worked out for me in the situations I've been in.
Also, how lax is your new employer? Would you be able to network and work for other groups?
Can you do some webtraining, take some online classes while you wait?
posted by KogeLiz at 12:02 PM on March 28, 2011
Show your management capability by creating more work for yourself. Ask for a subscription to safaribooks and study. Look at their internal postings for jobs you can do on a temporary basis. Learn another programming language. For that matter, learn Chinese.
posted by theora55 at 1:43 PM on March 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by theora55 at 1:43 PM on March 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
contractors who don't have much to do tend to get terminated in short order. If you don't find valuable work shortly you may have a big problem.
Just sayin!
posted by jannw at 2:03 PM on March 28, 2011
Just sayin!
posted by jannw at 2:03 PM on March 28, 2011
"Initiative is not given, it is taken." Are you talking about being taken on as permanent by this company? That may indeed be a wait. I think it's best to make your own world, since you can always come back to this company once they get their shit together (yes, even in the Fortune $X). Blow the joint, or ask your contracting company for other opportunities. I'm sure your area has many contracting agencies who appreciate someone who is capable of outgrowing a stodgy work situation.
For that matter, learn Chinese.
When recommending people learn "Chinese," you should always specify a dialect. It makes a difference.
posted by rhizome at 3:07 PM on March 28, 2011
For that matter, learn Chinese.
When recommending people learn "Chinese," you should always specify a dialect. It makes a difference.
posted by rhizome at 3:07 PM on March 28, 2011
Response by poster: At this time no (To the being taken on as permanent). is trying to negotiate keeping the group I have been helping the most, meaning I would get to stay. However MY company (Outsourcing Company) is pushing back and deciding they like begging them for something. Unfortunately due to federal law (Or so I am told) I cannot even bring it up to the boss at .
Best thing to happen is to be brought on by. The probability is very slim and what will more than likely happen as I learned today is everyone is getting moved somewhere else by the end of April.
posted by NotSoSimple at 10:59 PM on March 29, 2011
Best thing to happen is to be brought on by
posted by NotSoSimple at 10:59 PM on March 29, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
The two are not mutually exclusive. The most sensible way to look for other work is while you are employed.
posted by headnsouth at 11:41 AM on March 28, 2011 [1 favorite]