New Job - how long is long enough??

[lil mermaid]

How long should you give a new job before deciding that you really don't like it?????

I started a new job back at the end of January. I wasn't really all that terribly unhappy at my old job, but there were some things that bothered me. I also wanted to try something new. Plus, the new job paid more, was in a better location in the city, had a (slightly) shorter commute.

I left my old job on very good terms, and was told that I could come back if I wanted to. They also tried to get me to stay by offering me the same rate of pay that I would get at the new job. After thinking and thinking...I decided that I would take the new job (I had already accepted, and didn't feel right backing out.) Plus...I had been at the old job for over ten years...I felt it would be good for me to get out of my "comfort zone", if you know what I mean.

Well...after being here at for four months, I DON'T like it. I don't enjoy the work I am doing at all. It is almost too easy or something. I feel like my brain is turning to jello. In addition, I am used to working very independently, and there are multiple layers of oversight here that make me CRAZY. I have pretty much felt this way since my second week here.

I should add that I am going on maternity leave next week, and will be off for approximately four months. I need to decide what to do when it is time to go back to work.

Have I given the job long enough (four months?)

 

[Bob Slydell]

Offhand, I would say a year -- any less than that might draw questions from future interviews and possible doubts as to your potential loyalty to a company (I know, it's not necessarily true, but that's what I've always heard).

 

[Microcell]

Don't worry you will have that baby and not want to do any job! If you are not challanged and you were at the other place, then maybe you should go back. In my job the problem for new people is that it takes my boss forever to intrust you with new responsibilities, and you can tell who she does not have any interest in training. I feel bad for them. I have been there for five years so I have helped her out in a lurch and she gives me things to do that she does not give others because I have proven myself, and she just wants it done right the first time and until she trusts someone like that, they wallow in rutville. Could it be that you just need to ask for more challanging assignments?

 

[shatzjsl]

Been there! I started a new job (within the same company) and hated it. I asked for a transfer after two months and got it. Have been doing what I love for four years now!

 

[shatzjsl]

Originally posted by Bob Slydell
Offhand, I would say a year -- any less than that might draw questions from future interviews and possible doubts as to your potential loyalty to a company (I know, it's not necessarily true, but that's what I've always heard).

I wouldn't waste a year of my life in an unhappy job. Definetly make sure you have something else lined up before quitting.

 

[katerkat]

I knew within a month of starting both jobs that I hated it - but I stuck it out for a year in both of them. Not that I had a choice - I was getting married at the end of the year with the first one and moving here with the second one.

On the flip side, I like(d) my two in-between jobs, and could only stay two-three months with each because of moving.

I would decide during maternity leave - I think the end of that would be a good time to switch back to the old job, if you choose to. Personally, I wouldn't be miserable at a job. (Been there, done that.) I don't think one anamoly on your resume will hurt you, especially if you go back to the old company.

 

[CookieGVB]

Do you get paid maternity leave?

Is there any way this could come back and bite you if you decide right after you come back that you don't want to be there anymore?

 

[Disney Doll]

It's kind of a quandry, because if you take your maternity leave and your new job pays you all through it and right before you're slated to return you quit, well, it looks kind of cheesy. However, I also see no reaosn to stay at job you dislike.

To be fair to your new job, I would give it a little more thought, but don't wait till the very end of your leave to tell them you're not coming back. Give them some notice, so they can replace you with time to interview etc, and not at the "zero hour" when they thought they'd have you but poof!...they don't. One of my co-workers just did that to my boss, and she wasn't ahppy. Not that the girl got another job, but that she waited until the week before her leave was up to tell my boss she wouldn't be back. My boss let a few good nurses pass(new grads that we had worked with) because she had to save the position, and now she's short and the new grads we could have had have taken other jobs.

 

[Cinderellafifi]

I think four months is enough time, for sure. There is nothing worse than waking up every day dreading going to work.

Of course, your bigger issue is the maternity leave. If it is paid, you are in a quandry. If it is not paid, and you do decide you will leave, tell them before the maternity leave starts. If it is paid, then you are going to have to determine the best way to go about it.

As mentioned already, once you have that baby, you aren't going to want to work anywhere.

Good luck and congrats on the baby!

 

[lil mermaid]

What I really want to do is to not work at all, and stay home with my baby! Unfortunately, that is not something we can do right now. (Too expensive here!)

Actually, the maternity leave coming back to bite me is not an issue, as I transferred from one government agency to another and it is treated as being with the same employer for purposes of FMLA and other leave. My paid leave is leave that I have already accumulated and belongs to me - there is no "maternity leave" per se. So I wouldn't be on the hook for anything.

I am not really to concerned about how it would look on my resume, mainly because of the fact that I do have a job to go to.

I wouldn't wait until the last minute to tell them...but I am not ready to say anything now either, lol!

thanks for your insights.

 

[minniecarousel]

First of all, congratulations on your pregnancy! I hadn't heard - that's wonderful news!

Since the old job told you that you can come back - I'd take them up on the offer. There will be nothing worse than having a little one at home and working at a job that you don't like. You will need to figure out the best timing for approaching the old job about returning there. Make sure that is set before you let the new job know you're not returning there. The other option is to find another different job - but those are probably not plentiful!