Do you like your job?

PostRe: Do you like your job? by **Herdanos** » Mon Dec 20, 2021 11:06 am

Barnsy! wrote:
Herdanos wrote:Hey Barnsy, you should definitely call your GP too mate - not an either/or to considering your work options, and it will ultimately help you to reach a better place. There's no right or wrong thing to tell a GP, just be honest with them and they will be able to start some support.

Hey, I wanted to quickly say thanks as I did actually follow your advice - I booked a doctors appointment. I haven't had any contact with any doctor for years and was very reluctant to make an appointment for non-covid; depression / mental health reasons during Covid and made it very clear it isn't urgent and can wait - but they got me a phone appointment for this afternoon.

That's great to hear! Well done. Mental health is just as important as physical health and has the same kind of urgency! So it's great to hear that you'll be speaking with someone soon. Take care of yourself mate.

PostRe: Do you like your job? by **Green Gecko** » Mon Dec 20, 2021 1:48 pm

Your mental health and wellbeing is at least as important as Covid mate. I get a checkup booked every year automatically since I'm on a register but you have every right to ask for that too, even if there's nothing supposedly wrong with you! A GP will normally arrange follow up appointments and/or psychiatric care in order to monitor your condition, which is important.

PostRe: Do you like your job? by **JT986M2** » Mon Dec 20, 2021 3:28 pm

Up until October of this year I would have firmly put myself in the 'I like my job enough, but I'd rather be off work than in' camp. However, after moving into a different team in late-October (same role, different software application) I am very firmly in the 'I hate my job and am actively looking for something else' camp. I expected differences following the move, but what I got was a complete culture shock.

Unfortunately, for most of November I was thinking 'I hate this, but hopefully things will improve' even though I was quite stressed out about it all. So by the time I realised things wouldn't improve - by around mid-late November - I'd already hit the period where recruiting was starting to wind down.

I do count myself lucky that my job became fully remote during Covid, and it is only 35 hours per week - which I've never had before. However, it still stresses me the strawberry float out. As a downside, I very much doubt I will find another fully-remote, 35 hour per week role.

If I'd known this was coming I'd have spent a good chunk of this year really thinking about what I want to do with my life job-wise. I had been thinking about it a bit, but not to the extent where I'd got to the point of saying 'thats the job for me'. Unfortunately, I've now ended up in a situation where I just need to get out of dodge for the sake of my mental health, and will just need to default to a similar role to keep the pay check rolling.

While I've been looking I've been quite surprised by the relative lack of fully remote jobs though - people I had been speaking to over the last year had raved about how Covid had really shook things up in that sense. There are definitely a lot of hybrid roles, however.

PostRe: Do you like your job? by **Barnsy!** » Tue Jan 04, 2022 12:35 pm

[snip]

PostRe: Do you like your job? by **Drumstick** » Tue Jan 04, 2022 12:41 pm

What do you do out of curiosity, Barnsy?

PostRe: Do you like your job? by **rinks** » Tue Jan 04, 2022 12:44 pm

He's an MP.

PostRe: Do you like your job? by **rinks** » Tue Jan 04, 2022 12:46 pm

Sorry. Really not making light of your horrible situation. I think you've got the right attitude: determination to get out. Best of luck.

PostRe: Do you like your job? by **Barnsy!** » Tue Jan 04, 2022 12:50 pm

Thanks Rinks. @Drumstick - Design Engineer working in offshore windfarms

PostRe: Do you like your job? by **Barnsy!** » Wed Jan 05, 2022 9:12 am

I deleted previous depressing post - sorry to anyone who saw it.

Anyway I'm thinking with more clarity - I'm determined to get make my situation better. Had a productive evening after work updating my CV and applying for jobs and I will do the same this evening and every evening.

PostRe: Do you like your job? by **Barnsy!** » Wed Jan 05, 2022 12:00 pm

Is everyone on here working and has anyone ever left a job without having another job lined up?

I'm in my mid 30s and have worked since leaving university without a gap. I've definitely come to the conclusion I need to get away from my current job and am doing everything I can to do so. I think there are other jobs out there and I will still have to work my notice period. If the worst came to the worst I could manage a little while without money coming in. I would feel guilty and irresponsible for handing in my notice without an offer lined up - but I'd also feel like I was taking a positive step forward to ultimately make things better for myself.

I've decided I want to hand in my notice now but not sure if I should.

PostRe: Do you like your job? by **Dual** » Wed Jan 05, 2022 12:12 pm

Barnsy! wrote:Is everyone on here working and has anyone ever left a job without having another job lined up?

I'm in my mid 30s and have worked since leaving university without a gap. I've definitely come to the conclusion I need to get away from my current job and am doing everything I can to do so. I think there are other jobs out there and I will still have to work my notice period. If the worst came to the worst I could manage a little while without money coming in. I would feel guilty and irresponsible for handing in my notice without an offer lined up - but I'd also feel like I was taking a positive step forward to ultimately make things better for myself.

I've decided I want to hand in my notice now but not sure if I should.

How confident are you you'll pick up new employment when you need to? Is your role in demand?

I would advise against it unless you've got the contacts to walk in somewhere else. If you do have that benefit and you can keep paying the bills then yeah go for it. A bit of personal time is great.

PostRe: Do you like your job? by **Frank** » Wed Jan 05, 2022 12:15 pm

I handed my notice in at my last job just before covid really hit, because my manager refused to even entertain the idea of me working from home a few times a week to save myself the three hours+ I was spending on a train every day. Three months later everyone was working from home and I don't think they've gone back yet :fp:

But honestly, I don't think I could have managed another three months of that shite. Fantastic money, but an absolutely diabolical company to work for, and no life, because you just get home absolutely drained and had to be up at 4AM the next morning for the train.

I didn't have anything to really do, so I just kept myself entertained for a few months. I'd just bought myself a laser cutter so I spent a few weeks learning how that all worked and selling a few bits and bobs. I probably spent a good 12-18 months without a "proper" income, but I think as long as you can fill the gaps on your CV with a bit of an explanation/make your hobbies sound like more of a job than they were then I don't think it really matters.

Working for a smaller place now in a slightly different industry that actually seems to listen to what you've got to say and it's so much more enjoyable. I'm a design engineer too :shifty:

Used to be in Automotive, now... I guess it's technically HVAC?

The gap in between jobs *really* gets to you the longer it goes on for, but you'll always find something suitable in the end.

(For reference, I'm... 31, last time I checked. Came straight out of Uni into a job for two years-ish, moved to another company for a year, then jumped to another who sent me to dusseldorf for a conference and then made me redundant as soon as I set foot back in the office. I spent a few months floating around doing nothing at all, moved back to the second company, then quit that one to "focus on myself", and now I'm here. My CV had a few "gaps" in it, but if you cover yourself, whoever's interviewing usually understands)

PostRe: Do you like your job? by **Tomous** » Wed Jan 05, 2022 12:16 pm

Barnsy! wrote:Is everyone on here working and has anyone ever left a job without having another job lined up?

I'm in my mid 30s and have worked since leaving university without a gap. I've definitely come to the conclusion I need to get away from my current job and am doing everything I can to do so. I think there are other jobs out there and I will still have to work my notice period. If the worst came to the worst I could manage a little while without money coming in. I would feel guilty and irresponsible for handing in my notice without an offer lined up - but I'd also feel like I was taking a positive step forward to ultimately make things better for myself.

I've decided I want to hand in my notice now but not sure if I should.

The issue is if you don't find a job quickly and have an employment gap on your CV which you'll need to explain in interviews. I left my job but it was to travel for a year, so it was easily explained in interviews.

Of course you can try to explain the issues with your current job and protecting your mental health etc but this is a difficult thing to get into in an interview.

Have you tried to apply for other jobs and get a sense of the market? I would certainly suggest doing that first.

PostRe: Do you like your job? by **Dual** » Wed Jan 05, 2022 12:35 pm

Spending time with family, DIY projects, travelling, education etc are all valid reasons for having a break imo. Most recruiters are our age now so understand that - 10 years ago when you were only dealing with baby boomers it might be different.

PostRe: Do you like your job? by **Barnsy!** » Thu Jan 06, 2022 12:52 am

Cheers for your advice guys - I really appreciate it.

PostRe: Do you like your job? by **JT986M2** » Thu Jan 06, 2022 12:59 am

I was very much thinking the same thing as you Barnsy earlier today - do I just hand in my notice to get out of where I am at the minute. It’s definitely taking a toll mentally, and also having an impact on my marriage. I had a talk with my wife and she understands the stress, so that’s one thing hopefully off my mind.

Anyways, decided it probably wasn’t the best plan since I can cope (just) at the minute. Definitely going to dedicate some time each weekday evening to apply for roles. The actual application process does give me anxiety too, so it does feel as though I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place and just need to push through.

PostRe: Do you like your job? by **Barnsy!** » Thu Jan 06, 2022 8:31 am

Cheers JT. Sound like we're in similar situations.

The job application process is very anxiety inducing but it seems like you have the right idea. My evenings are now dedicated to job hunting and I'm at peace with the fact I'll probably have to take a pay cut. As unpleasant as the application process is I also feel empowered that I'm passed the apathy stage and actively trying to make things better for myself; same deal with eventually speaking to a doctor.

Good luck JT hope it works out for you too

PostRe: Do you like your job? by **Drumstick** » Thu Jan 06, 2022 8:37 am

Are there roles elsewhere in your current organisations you can move to? Far less daunting than starting afresh at a different employer.

PostRe: Do you like your job? by **JT986M2** » Thu Jan 06, 2022 11:04 am

In my case, no. I've come to realise that product training and role progression in the company I currently work for is extremely limited, so moving to another role internally would only hinder things in the longterm. Only in the past couple of months I've realised how much my skills have stagnated having now worked at this place for 5 years with no formal training provided. In my last job I was scheduled on a Microsoft training course once a year.

Part of that is also down to me having become too comfortable in the role and just accepting it.

In addition, I work for a company based in Ireland, but I work in their UK-based office. Only they closed the physical office in the summer, and I now get the impression they are only trying to recruit in Ireland for EMEA roles.

PostRe: Do you like your job? by **Barnsy!** » Wed Mar 02, 2022 7:41 am

New job new me

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