Ask HN: Started job 3 months ago...not going as planned • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Started job 3 months ago...not going as planned

#41

Post by wensley » Wed, Jan 15, 2020, 8:57 PM UTC

I would do as others have suggested, hand your notice in now and start looking for your next thing. Maybe try contracting for a while? No need to explain this short stint at all then.

I'm in a similair situation right now myself but almost a year into it. The job description and job title absolutely does not match up with the reality, no leadership / direction and I really struggle with motivation. I have mentioned this but it still continues.

I think the only thing left for me to do is quit, the only problem with that is I have a nice remote deal that would be hard to match. Feeling kind of stuck. I might try contracting myself.

Re: Ask HN: Started job 3 months ago...not going as planned

#42

Post by cprayingmantis » Wed, Jan 15, 2020, 8:57 PM UTC

I think 3 months is long enough to figure out if a company is a good fit for you or not. If you're suffering then leave. Particularly if you enjoyed the last place you worked. Folks may ask but just tell them you left of your own accord and you didn't feel like a good fit for the team. Don't do anything suddenly unless you have the cash to make it a month or so or a job already lined up. The leave, be nice about it, and never look back. I did two short stints of around 6 months each before ending up at my current place of employment and they didn't ask anything when I got hired.

Re: Ask HN: Started job 3 months ago...not going as planned

#43

Post by dpix » Wed, Jan 15, 2020, 8:57 PM UTC

Have you chatted to your manager about how you feel? They might not know how bad the situation is, or may be in a similarly tough situation. If they don't want to chat you can always try grab a coffee with one of their peers or their manager. People further up the chain might be pretty surprised by what is happening, and a bit of initiative on your part should get recognised.

If they turn you down or you get negative feedback about how you are feeling in the team you should get out of there for sure

Re: Ask HN: Started job 3 months ago...not going as planned

#44

Post by JohnFen » Wed, Jan 15, 2020, 8:58 PM UTC

Most companies I've worked for have a formal trial/probationary period of some sort, typically 90 days. Personally, I consider that to be a two-way street -- I'm trialling them just as much as they're trialling me. I have never had a problem with leaving within that window. For the few companies I've worked for that have no such period, I just figure 90 days anyway.

I've left a few jobs that, like yours, were not what I expected -- usually on the last day of the trial period.

Not suggesting an action for you, but if I were in your shoes, I'd just do the same: I'd stick it out for three months and if there's no sign that anything will be improving, I'd move on.

Re: Ask HN: Started job 3 months ago...not going as planned

#45

Post by pojzon » Wed, Jan 15, 2020, 8:59 PM UTC

BurningFrog wrote: post #19

I know one thing: It's not going to get better! At least unless you channel your inner Napoleon and start transforming the organization yourself. I don't have that in me, and most people don't, but I hear it can be done.

Im pretty much in the same situation as OP and I REALLY tried to be the Napoleon, but the more you try the bigger resistance you are met with. (You look like the „unfun” and „bad” guy who wants people to actually start doing what they are paid to do)

You just get worn out over-time and give up.

Re: Ask HN: Started job 3 months ago...not going as planned

#46

Post by dudul » Wed, Jan 15, 2020, 9:00 PM UTC

ericskiff wrote: post #21

stevewodil wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, you may as well list it and if asked respond honestly. It wasn't a good fit/the role didn't match the job description, etc.

As an employer, I don't expect every potential employee to list all of their previous roles. Especially for more senior people, I expect that a resume is tailored to show me their best relevant experience. Leaving out a short stint somewhere wouldn't worry me.

I agree with your comment, I was just reacting to the recommendation to lie and just say that you took some time off.

As a hiring manager, I would not care at all about a non-comprehensive list, but I would absolutely care about someone trying to hide past employment

Re: Ask HN: Started job 3 months ago...not going as planned

#47

Post by tinyhouse » Wed, Jan 15, 2020, 9:00 PM UTC

Large companies usually have many different products and teams. It depends on the company, but if you can move to a different org/team/product, then I think it's better than quitting after only 3-months, unless the culture is too toxic or stressful, which doesn't sound to be the case based on your post.

Re: Ask HN: Started job 3 months ago...not going as planned

#48

Post by JohnFen » Wed, Jan 15, 2020, 9:02 PM UTC

drcross wrote: post #31

lostdog wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How about "It just took me a while to find the next thing I wanted to do." Then your explanation make sense whether they think you took a break or find out that you left a job quickly.

Or how about they tell the truth that the job wasn't as advertised and stop worrying about convincing some hypothetical HQ person.

I would be very careful about saying anything that could be taken as being disparaging about past employers to potential employers. That rarely puts you in a positive light no matter how accurate your assessment is.

Better to say another form of the truth: the company was a poor fit.

Re: Ask HN: Started job 3 months ago...not going as planned

#49

Post by ryanmercer » Wed, Jan 15, 2020, 9:03 PM UTC

I'm not in the CS world at all but if you're unhappy at a job, start looking for a new one NOW. I used to dig graves and was outside6 days a week with minimal shade. The first time I got sun poisoning I immediately started looking for another job, even took a 2$~ pay cut because being inside in air conditioning was worth not cooking in the sun all day smelling obscene amounts of flowers in various states of decay while smelling diesel exhaust constantly.

Re: Ask HN: Started job 3 months ago...not going as planned

#50

Post by JohnFen » Wed, Jan 15, 2020, 9:05 PM UTC

ericskiff wrote: post #21

stevewodil wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, you may as well list it and if asked respond honestly. It wasn't a good fit/the role didn't match the job description, etc.

As an employer, I don't expect every potential employee to list all of their previous roles. Especially for more senior people, I expect that a resume is tailored to show me their best relevant experience. Leaving out a short stint somewhere wouldn't worry me.

I agree, from being on both sides of the interview table.

Although I started doing this around the fifth year of my career, I'm now a graybeard that has been in the business for a very long time and have racked up a lengthy work history. Nobody is going to want to read through a 5 page resume.

My practice for a couple of decades now has been what you state here -- I write a new CV for each position I'm applying for, and only include the things that indicate my fitness for that position. I'm always prepared to provide a complete work history if anyone asks, but I don't remember anyone ever asking.