We can work it out
Dec 21 2009 By Andrew Mernin
DAVID Cliff is a business coach and consultant, mediator and social worker with 30+ years’ experience in helping individuals and businesses. He is managing director of Gedanken Ltd, a company based in Sunderland, that provides a range of support and developmental services to organisations throughout the North East and UK. Here he helps to solve your job-related problems.
I’m a media graduate and got a job 6 months ago as a legal secretary in a law firm but now that I’ve been here for a while I don’t think it’s for me. I don’t seem to have anything in common with the other girls there, I’m not enjoying the work and I have to travel around 70 miles a day just to get there. With the price of petrol it’s hardly worth me working. On top of all this, I’ve now been offered a job in Australia for 6 months. I am worried about handing in my notice because I have only been working for the company for 6 months. I am scared that my boss will be very disappointed. Will this look bad on my CV? Am I doing the right thing and how would you advise me to go about this? Joanne, Jesmond
DC: Expanding your horizons seems just the bill. Let’s face it, what can this current job do to enhance your CV if you are demotivated and feel you do not fit? Any enterprising employer would recognise your logistical costs, your issues of “fit” and the very fact you have attracted the overseas offer suggests enterprise and endeavor. How could it not look good on a CV? Life is less about doing the right thing and is more about choices and outcomes from those choices. There is no “wrong" thing, it’s just one experience traded for another. Trade up for a positive one that works for you.
I've just started a new job after 7 years in my last one where I had made some really good friends. I did well there and eventually left for a better role in a different company. I don’t regret leaving but after almost 3 weeks in my new job I’m constantly worried and nervous. Although the people seem ok, I’m not very clear on what I’m doing and my new boss isn’t giving me much guidance. Do most people find it difficult to settle in to a new job, why am I putting myself under so much pressure and how long is a reasonable settling in time? Cara, North Shields
DC: You were settled and happy before and change is different. My guess is however 7 years ago you may have felt the same when you were “new” in your old job. We grieve the past and lament our decisions sometimes. The reality is it can take months to adjust to a new setting, new people and norms. Also, we grieve things that were comfortable and meaningful to us, even if we have moved to further ourselves. Seven good years, great, but ultimately nothing lasts. Embrace change. On a practical note, talk to your boss.
She does not know what you do not know until you tell her and you need to build a relationship with her. Choose to make this work.
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