My new job is a really bad fit. What's next?
December 3, 2018 3:48 PM Subscribe
I recently left a job at a small software start-up for a new role at a larger software company. Since starting ~1 month ago, I've realized that 1) the company is not doing well and likely will continue to not do well and 2) this job is really not a great fit for where I want to go in my career + who I am. I'm starting to feel like I made a pretty big mistake in coming here. What are my options?
My previous role was at a small company. I enjoyed the company + my co-workers, but felt extremely limited by its size + growth opportunities. I interviewed + accepted a role at a larger tech company, with the idea that this new role would really help me develop my skills and give me a much broader range of experience. I was told about several projects that they were working on and they seemed to line up well with my interests and what I wanted to be spending my time on.
The onboarding process has been...rough. There was little to no onboarding training prepared and no introductions to the rest of the company. My team has no manager(which I was led to believe would be a temporary situation, but I no longer think so) so I am reporting into a co-worker who has not managed before. He doesn't seem interested in actually being a manager, so it is very hard for me to meet with him and discuss what I should be working on + how I should be progressing when he doesn't seem to care at all.
He's not an actively toxic manager so far, but seems disinterested in my development or what I will actually be doing. The projects that I have been told about are not the projects that I expressed interest in when I interviewed, nor are they particularly related to what I want to be doing. Furthermore, there just doesn't seem to be enough work, either currently or in the future, to keep me busy.
The company as a whole is also not doing well. People seem fairly down most of the time and there is a lot of bad-talking of other groups or the company's outlook. I'm really not enjoying the company culture so far.
At this point, I'm really feeling like taking this job was a mistake. My main question is what comes next? I always have the option of just gritting my teeth and bearing it until I'm laid off at some unknown point, but I would much rather spend my time doing work that I like in an environment that I feel supported in than keeping things the way they are.
If I decide to admit this was a mistake and start looking for new positions, how would I explain this situation to a recruiter?
My previous role was at a small company. I enjoyed the company + my co-workers, but felt extremely limited by its size + growth opportunities. I interviewed + accepted a role at a larger tech company, with the idea that this new role would really help me develop my skills and give me a much broader range of experience. I was told about several projects that they were working on and they seemed to line up well with my interests and what I wanted to be spending my time on.
The onboarding process has been...rough. There was little to no onboarding training prepared and no introductions to the rest of the company. My team has no manager(which I was led to believe would be a temporary situation, but I no longer think so) so I am reporting into a co-worker who has not managed before. He doesn't seem interested in actually being a manager, so it is very hard for me to meet with him and discuss what I should be working on + how I should be progressing when he doesn't seem to care at all.
He's not an actively toxic manager so far, but seems disinterested in my development or what I will actually be doing. The projects that I have been told about are not the projects that I expressed interest in when I interviewed, nor are they particularly related to what I want to be doing. Furthermore, there just doesn't seem to be enough work, either currently or in the future, to keep me busy.
The company as a whole is also not doing well. People seem fairly down most of the time and there is a lot of bad-talking of other groups or the company's outlook. I'm really not enjoying the company culture so far.
At this point, I'm really feeling like taking this job was a mistake. My main question is what comes next? I always have the option of just gritting my teeth and bearing it until I'm laid off at some unknown point, but I would much rather spend my time doing work that I like in an environment that I feel supported in than keeping things the way they are.
If I decide to admit this was a mistake and start looking for new positions, how would I explain this situation to a recruiter?
How long were you at the smaller company?
When/if you get to the interview stage do not dwell on why current job is a bad fit. Tell the story briefly (one sentence or less) and then immediately talk about what you're excited about at the company you are interviewing at.
Everyone knows the reasons people leave jobs. Hiring managers are interested in:
- why you want to work at new company (will you be an engaged employee?)?
- what skills you'll bring to the company
posted by CMcG at 4:13 PM on December 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
When/if you get to the interview stage do not dwell on why current job is a bad fit. Tell the story briefly (one sentence or less) and then immediately talk about what you're excited about at the company you are interviewing at.
Everyone knows the reasons people leave jobs. Hiring managers are interested in:
- why you want to work at new company (will you be an engaged employee?)?
- what skills you'll bring to the company
posted by CMcG at 4:13 PM on December 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
Well, you mentioned there not even being enough work to fill the day, so I would fill in your downtime by looking for new jobs. It's definitely not ideal to leave a job so quickly, but people do it all the time. You have to assume you might not even find a new opportunity right away, so it will take some time and you should actively have a sense of what's out there.
When interviewing, I think there's no reason not to be honest about the the biggest reasons, whether it's the fact that they misrepresented their plans/changed their minds on bringing in a new manager or that you interviewed for a different role/different projects than they have actually put you in. Whatever you think is the strongest, go with that and don't harp it, but don't be afraid to say it hasn't been a good fit, and that's why you're excited about about Company X, because it offers you the development opportunities your current place is lacking, or whatever reason you want to give.
posted by AppleTurnover at 4:40 PM on December 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
When interviewing, I think there's no reason not to be honest about the the biggest reasons, whether it's the fact that they misrepresented their plans/changed their minds on bringing in a new manager or that you interviewed for a different role/different projects than they have actually put you in. Whatever you think is the strongest, go with that and don't harp it, but don't be afraid to say it hasn't been a good fit, and that's why you're excited about about Company X, because it offers you the development opportunities your current place is lacking, or whatever reason you want to give.
posted by AppleTurnover at 4:40 PM on December 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
If I decide to admit this was a mistake and start looking for new positions, how would I explain this situation to a recruiter?
Honestly just that it wasn't a great fit and that it wasn't what you expected. Unless you have a history of jumping around a whole lot it shouldn't be an issue. You can also just leave it off your resume/linkedin profile given how recent and short it's been.
posted by Carillon at 5:18 PM on December 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
Honestly just that it wasn't a great fit and that it wasn't what you expected. Unless you have a history of jumping around a whole lot it shouldn't be an issue. You can also just leave it off your resume/linkedin profile given how recent and short it's been.
posted by Carillon at 5:18 PM on December 3, 2018 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I interview a lot of folks in similar situations, and yes, be upfront about the fact it wasn't the right fit. Experiences like this are a reality in this industry. And a BS answer is going to sound like BS.
That said, be careful to not be overly negative about it and avoid presenting a victim-y mindset, especially once you get to the face-to-face interview state. By which I mean: be upfront and direct but keep your tone and attitude neutral-to-positive, don't badmouth the company or your coworkers, don't make it all about the ways the company is screwing your own personal development potential, and don't harp on it.
Good: After a few weeks there it's become clear that the role isn't what was advertised, and it's not the right fit for me. From the research I've done on this company, it seems like I'd have much more to contribute here, for example X and Y. [then shut up and wait for the next question]
Bad: There's no real onboarding, I wasn't prepared, they haven't even hired me a proper manager yet. The guy I sorta report to doesn't seem to care about my development. None of the projects they mentioned during my interview are available, and I'm not interested in the ones that are. But there's not enough to do, so I'm pretty bored. Everyone has a terrible attitude, because the company's close to failing. Grr grar argh ugh.
You think that bad example is overly exaggerated, but no. Plenty of candidates seem to forget themselves when given the opportunity to open up there. So don't forget yourself.
Good luck!
posted by rhiannonstone at 8:13 PM on December 3, 2018 [8 favorites]
That said, be careful to not be overly negative about it and avoid presenting a victim-y mindset, especially once you get to the face-to-face interview state. By which I mean: be upfront and direct but keep your tone and attitude neutral-to-positive, don't badmouth the company or your coworkers, don't make it all about the ways the company is screwing your own personal development potential, and don't harp on it.
Good: After a few weeks there it's become clear that the role isn't what was advertised, and it's not the right fit for me. From the research I've done on this company, it seems like I'd have much more to contribute here, for example X and Y. [then shut up and wait for the next question]
Bad: There's no real onboarding, I wasn't prepared, they haven't even hired me a proper manager yet. The guy I sorta report to doesn't seem to care about my development. None of the projects they mentioned during my interview are available, and I'm not interested in the ones that are. But there's not enough to do, so I'm pretty bored. Everyone has a terrible attitude, because the company's close to failing. Grr grar argh ugh.
You think that bad example is overly exaggerated, but no. Plenty of candidates seem to forget themselves when given the opportunity to open up there. So don't forget yourself.
Good luck!
posted by rhiannonstone at 8:13 PM on December 3, 2018 [8 favorites]
Use all your free time in this workplace to apply for other jobs. You don't even have to list this job if you can get a new gig by say, 15 January.
posted by DarlingBri at 5:24 AM on December 4, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by DarlingBri at 5:24 AM on December 4, 2018 [1 favorite]
Quit your job, find a new one, and don’t put your current job on your resume. You’ll have a gap, but in my experience, nobody really cares about short gaps.
posted by Sloop John B at 7:31 AM on December 4, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Sloop John B at 7:31 AM on December 4, 2018 [1 favorite]
When you interview for new jobs, don't badmouth the company, complain about your role, etc. Orient your reasons for leaving towards requirements for your new job.
"I'm really interested in programming in XYZ language, like your company does, and there aren't opportunities to do that in my current position."
"My current role isn't as hands on as I would like. I am really looking for something more like what you're offering."
posted by xammerboy at 9:12 AM on December 4, 2018 [1 favorite]
"I'm really interested in programming in XYZ language, like your company does, and there aren't opportunities to do that in my current position."
"My current role isn't as hands on as I would like. I am really looking for something more like what you're offering."
posted by xammerboy at 9:12 AM on December 4, 2018 [1 favorite]
I agree with the advice above that you should just quit now, not list this on a resume, and look for something else, assuming two things: you are completely miserable, and you have reason to expect that you wouldn't have trouble landing a new job.
One thing to add which I think is very important. It is true that employers won't mind very much a candidate with a short stay at one job. But I would stress the "one" bit. I think you're allowed one mulligan.
The implication is that if you leave this job and the next one is awful, you might have to stick it out a while, as leaving two consecutive jobs in short order would look bad. So beware a tricky situation: you might hate this job so much you'll jump at the next job offer, when your perspective is preventing you from assessing it clearly.
I would ask yourself, though, whether you're just experiencing a little disorientation after leaving what sounds like a cozy situstion. Work cultures are like little countries, and you might just be homesick. Keep in mind that most companies suck at onboarding, most managers aren't particularly good at it, and this company might take a while to sort out which projects you should work on.
Moreover, you could look at this job as a gift: it sounds like you're not busy and no one's watching you. So why not work half the day, and with the other half, study some skill that'll help you fulfill your dream -- and leave after a year? If they aren't fully using you, that's their problem.
You did ask a specific question, and I'll answer with a similar experience I had. I left a company I had worked at for 10 years for a position at another company, which offered me a much better title and more pay. This new company was spectacularly bad and my boss went from interview-room charmer to first-day psychopath. I kid you not: his floorboards and crawlspaces should be examined by forensic experts.
(Brief digression: at interview I was told I'd be managing a team of 8 with a 9th about to be hired. The company stressed the great size and skill set of this team I would have during the recruitment stage. My first meeting with the succubus he tells me that one of the 8 has quit in the interim, and that, of the 7 who remained, 6 were "incompetent." He invited me to guess which 6. These were literally the first two sentences out of his mouth on the morning of our first meeting, after a previous meeting where I met my team for the first time. Not even a "good morning" or "welcome." Shortly thereafter he named 2 he wanted fired asap but worried about how to do so legally and began emumerating ways we could wordsmith job titles and reorgs that would make it appear we were eliminating departments and not people, etc. I felt like throwing up that day, and every other day in that office. He was also completely wrong about his assessment of his employees.)
Anyway, it took me five months, but I got my job back with my old employer. I worked there for two more years. My resume shows me as having worked there for about 13 years straight, and no subsequent employer has ever asked about my little interim at the house of horrors.
posted by Philemon at 6:19 PM on December 4, 2018 [1 favorite]
One thing to add which I think is very important. It is true that employers won't mind very much a candidate with a short stay at one job. But I would stress the "one" bit. I think you're allowed one mulligan.
The implication is that if you leave this job and the next one is awful, you might have to stick it out a while, as leaving two consecutive jobs in short order would look bad. So beware a tricky situation: you might hate this job so much you'll jump at the next job offer, when your perspective is preventing you from assessing it clearly.
I would ask yourself, though, whether you're just experiencing a little disorientation after leaving what sounds like a cozy situstion. Work cultures are like little countries, and you might just be homesick. Keep in mind that most companies suck at onboarding, most managers aren't particularly good at it, and this company might take a while to sort out which projects you should work on.
Moreover, you could look at this job as a gift: it sounds like you're not busy and no one's watching you. So why not work half the day, and with the other half, study some skill that'll help you fulfill your dream -- and leave after a year? If they aren't fully using you, that's their problem.
You did ask a specific question, and I'll answer with a similar experience I had. I left a company I had worked at for 10 years for a position at another company, which offered me a much better title and more pay. This new company was spectacularly bad and my boss went from interview-room charmer to first-day psychopath. I kid you not: his floorboards and crawlspaces should be examined by forensic experts.
(Brief digression: at interview I was told I'd be managing a team of 8 with a 9th about to be hired. The company stressed the great size and skill set of this team I would have during the recruitment stage. My first meeting with the succubus he tells me that one of the 8 has quit in the interim, and that, of the 7 who remained, 6 were "incompetent." He invited me to guess which 6. These were literally the first two sentences out of his mouth on the morning of our first meeting, after a previous meeting where I met my team for the first time. Not even a "good morning" or "welcome." Shortly thereafter he named 2 he wanted fired asap but worried about how to do so legally and began emumerating ways we could wordsmith job titles and reorgs that would make it appear we were eliminating departments and not people, etc. I felt like throwing up that day, and every other day in that office. He was also completely wrong about his assessment of his employees.)
Anyway, it took me five months, but I got my job back with my old employer. I worked there for two more years. My resume shows me as having worked there for about 13 years straight, and no subsequent employer has ever asked about my little interim at the house of horrors.
posted by Philemon at 6:19 PM on December 4, 2018 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by GuyZero at 4:04 PM on December 3, 2018 [6 favorites]