Need Advice on Work - Am I Thinking Straight?

Thebigshownath85 on 05/09/2022 - 09:23
Last edited 05/09/2022 - 23:29 by 1 other user

Hi all

Just reaching out as I’m a bit unsure whether what I’m feeling is normal or whether I need to get out.

Working in professional services for a few months, have around 8 years experience in related fields. Weeks into my new role my manager went on leave for six weeks and I don’t have other colleagues who do the work that I do. The role is not a standard role as in you don’t repeat jobs year on year. There were minimal instructions, no templates, no processes and no documentation. I occasionally receive communication from my manager whilst they’re on leave. The work expected of me is significant considering the barriers I feel I’m up against. I don’t feel like a priority and that the client and getting client work done will always be the only priorities. I have no support as the other few members of my team are interstate.

Obviously all this has really soured how I feel about the job and I am thinking of leaving.

Does anybody have any tips on dealing with this? Is this normal in these environments? Am I just unhappy/uncomfortable as it’s a new job and I haven’t settled in?

Would love your opinions, thanks all!

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  Jimothy Wongingtons on 05/09/2022 - 09:26

  +1

  if you're not happy just leave bro - unless you need the $$$$ ?

  Doesnt sound like it would be hard for you to find a new role though.

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  SF3 on 05/09/2022 - 09:33

  +3

  Glass half full view, this is an opportunity to "step up" and practice something you don't usually (get a chance to) do (e.g. whatever your manager does), and use it to build your future / longer term capabilities.

  Glass half empty, this is a burden, I just want to continue doing the same thing, it's not fair compared to other teams, thus the thinking of running away from the new situation.

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  randomusername2017 on 05/09/2022 - 09:45

  +4

  Sounds a bit queer…

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  Nugs on 05/09/2022 - 09:58

  "don’t repeat jobs year on year." sounds good
  .

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  tsunamisurfer on 05/09/2022 - 10:15

  I don’t feel like a priority

  You have been working for 8 years and you only just discovered this?

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  FiDad on 05/09/2022 - 10:36

  +1

  if you are comfortable in this role even after 8 months then look for a new role as things are not likely to change. Job market is good so you should be able to find a new role quickly.

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  kanmen on 05/09/2022 - 11:14

  I think you should ask for support and guidance. Especially if you are new to the role this is the opportunity you have to make the most of it and ask for what you need to be able to do your role in the best way possible and develop into the role.

  Send a nice email to your manager letting them know what exactly it is that you're feeling and what you need, what you feel the barriers are for you to do your job to a standard you feel happy with.

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  Drakesy on 05/09/2022 - 12:14

  +1

  If you're questioning it i think the decisions already been made for you.

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  kerfuffle on 05/09/2022 - 22:14

  +1

  Gotta love people who vandalise their own thread.

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  Moderatorscrimshaw on 05/09/2022 - 23:30

  If you want a forum post removed, please post a request in the Talk with a Mod section with a suitable reason, thanks.

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  freefall101 on 06/09/2022 - 13:02

  It sounds like either you're not suited to the role or they're not willing to fill in the gaps so you can do it, so I'd move on. Also worth looking at what they said when you applied, did they tell you the work needed to be standalone, unsupervised, client focused? For your next role you should look at that, make sure it's part of a wider team with repetitive work.

  It is a little bit worrying that you've been in the field for 8 years and can't work without templates and documentation, you should be able to clearly identify the skills you have and the skills you're missing and fill in the gaps. Ask them for training in the stuff you don't know. I work directly with clients, the client coming first is always common sense and they're never going to supply you with everything you need. That's where your experience should come in, coming up with novel solutions is what gets me out of bed in the morning, if I don't understand how something works then play with it, if I need info then hunt everywhere for it (why can't you talk to interstate colleagues?), if that's not your thing then it doesn't sound like a good match.