You may be thinking "How could this happen?" but we sadly see it quite often, people reaching out to us for help having recently started a role that just isn't what they were expecting. The issues range from duties, expectations, location, team fit and senior management to salaries, benefits, promises made at interview stage and even deeper issues with systems, processes, and compliance. Should you find yourself in this predicament, we're always here to help at Block Recruit, but I thought I'd share my advice for those who might be stuck in this tricky situation right now or those who wish to avoid it at all costs!
What to do if your new role isn’t working out:
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Speak to your employer - No one wants a team member to leave shortly after joining, or at all for that matter! So, try and open an honest conversation with your manager to iron out any confusion or issues, they may be able to nip things in the bud before you have to look elsewhere, and they should want to make sure you're happy in their employment.
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Speak to the Recruitment Agency who placed you - They will want to advise, help and avoid this happening again, they could also have conversations with your manager (their client) that you might find difficult at this early stage.
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Really give it a chance, but for how long? - Changing jobs is time-consuming and stressful regardless of the circumstances and a lot of movement in short bursts is never good for your CV, so sit down and weigh up how long you can stay in this role. If you feel that, even with any issues that have surfaced, it could be beneficial to your career and reputation then it might be worth sticking around and continuing conversations with management to make changes.
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Look at other options - If nothing can be done then it might be best to look elsewhere. We've spoken to candidates who've been put in unsuitable office locations or faced issues with legal compliance, so advised that it was in their best interest to focus on finding the right thing. Although movement isn't always fun, the stress, pressure, and unhappiness these situations can cause can easily be worse! Consider your mental health here, if it's getting too much then it's time to make a change!
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Follow the below when looking where to go next...
How to avoid making the wrong career move:
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Use a trusted Recruitment Agency - Our very own Zoe Southwell has written on the benefits of being open and honest with your consultant and this should work both ways. We strive to represent both companies and candidates transparently at all times and this professional approach could make all the difference to your job search.
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What are you REALLY looking for - Make sure you go into depth with your recruiter about what's important to you and don't hold back, minor details can make all the difference in your day to day working life.
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Keep an open mind - You may find yourself looking at a slightly different role, a company you haven't heard of, or a company you thought you wouldn't work with, but don't close the door too early on opportunities like this. We work in a very close-knit industry and it's always best to make up your own mind. We advise attending as many interviews as is needed to find the right role and it never hurts to meet new people in a professional setting, you never know when or where they might pop up in the future.
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Ask lots of questions - I feel like I'm constantly reminding people, an interview is just as much for the candidate as it is for the employer! This doesn't mean you should take over the room but ask as much as you can, joining a new company is a big decision and one that should always be well informed. This could even involve seeing the offices, meeting the team, or visiting some key sites in their portfolio where appropriate.
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Be realistic - Before accepting a new role, be realistic about travel and expectations. Don't push yourself, as long hours might be ok for the first few weeks, but it doesn't take long for them to take their toll, especially if your work/life balance is more important to you than quick progression. Take time to think things through and make sure you're not feeling pressured into accepting a new role.
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Get it in writing - Everything that's agreed (your duties, job title, remuneration, benefits, hours, flexibility, training, qualifications, and responsibilities) should go down on paper before you agree to start a new role. If it's not in writing, then you've got nothing to fall back on if promises aren't kept further down the line. This is particularly important if your new employer has offered a raise in salary once you've passed your probation or qualifications.
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Keep in touch with your recruiter - You should keep talking to us right through the process, even after you've accepted a role and started with your new company. We're here to support you and we can't help unless we're kept in the loop. We also love to hear how people are getting on once they're happy and settled, it's personally one of the best things about my job!
So, here's to taking time to find the right next step and longevity in your employment. Hiring Managers also take note, these are steps you can keep in mind in your hiring process to avoid losing team members who’ve only just joined!