Expert: Torski Dobson-Arnold - 9/9/2008

Question
Can I seek your advise?

I'm currently working in an events management company since July 2008 as an events coordinator, assisting 2 event managers. Previously i'm working as a senior customer service executive (team leader) in an insurance company for almost 3 years. I am a degree holder, going to be 28 soon.

I left my previous job because I feel there is not much career advancement in the department and I don't really like the job. Actually, I like my previous company, the people, the culture and the employee benefits. Overall it is a good company to work with. The main problem is, i shoud say...is the department that I'm working at. It is very stressful and the director of the department is not understanding. I had thought of internal transfer instead of resigning from the company. However, I would like to try out a different field, so when i found out that this event management company is willing to hire me and the salary is 30% more, I immediately jumped to this new opportunity.

right now, after working for over 2 months...i kinda like this job as I get to learn new things, get to travel to certain countries to manage the events, eventhough the job can be rather stressful at times. The main problem is my immediate manager. She is extremely fussy, demanding, very detail oriented and hard to please. Everytime I send her my work, there will be corrections everywhere. Sometimes there are my mistakes and sometimes, she just wants to correct them because it does not match her style. I'm trying my very best to please her, to anticipate her response...but...

Everyday without fail, she will call me to her room and correct my work..I feel very incompetent because it is as though i am always making mistakes..I know her intention is good because she just wants my work to be perfect. but..sigh...sometimes I just could not take it..i guess maybe I just could not stand a fussy and demanding boss..maybe i'm used to my previous company's working style..you dont have to be extremely detail oriented, as long as you are able to get your work done well, without complaints from customers and insurance agents, then you are ok.

Honestly, I am not so happy here, although its only 2 months. I will be very worried everyday..will she call me to her room today? what sort of mistakes that she wants to correct me this time? and the list goes on and on..

last week, a manager from my previous company called me..they are going to set up a new department and she would like to hire me back..i heard from my ex-colleagues that she is a good manager and treats her staff well. I've also communicated with her several times and noted she is a good manager. I assume she wants to hire me back because I have the company's products and processes knowledge, plus I was a team leader in my previous dept and I've also won an award for being one of the best 50 employees in the company.

I'm confused if I should meet her and discuss about this new position. Am i a job hopper or..maybe a loser? someone who gives up easily when the job is not rite? I dont want to continue being unhappy or worried everyday..I want to work happily, at peace..i mean, not all jobs are perfect and not everyone are pleased and happy with their jobs...but...if you are not happy with your job, should you continue to stay? for how long? gosh i dont know wat to do..

Answer
Dearest Jess:

My heart goes out to you personally and professionally.  Sounds as though you work for a micro-manager.  I too have been in a similar situation in my own HR career.  With this, let me offer this sound and practical advice.  I support your decision to meet with the "good" manager from your former employer to discuss the new department and opportunity.  I have and always will be an avid proponent of being in the driver's seat of your own destiny and happiness and not giving your employer that amount of power.  This may be an ideal role and fit your skillset and/or desired role.  HOWEVER, please know that WE have all believed that the grass was greener on the other side and gotten burned by that decision as well.  My ultimately advice to you, Jess, is that you need to take a course on "How to Manage the Manager".  In some cases, a manager can start out to be a great manager then because of reasons unknown OR more pressure from his/her boss and a myriad of reasons, change midstream to become the "Boss from Hell".  

In regards to being a job hopper, if you meet with your old employer and this opportunity seems as though it was heaven sent, it would not appear that you were a job-hopper or loser.  Because of the very short tenure at your current employer, it may not even be a need to mention it on the resume. (You would however need to list it on a company's application as it is validated as "true and accurate to the best of your knowledge".  

I'm not gonna come right out and tell you that staying is the "right" thing to do OR that moving back to your old employer would be "right" either.  I think you've got to learn as much as you can about the newer opportunity and then make the "best" decision for Jess and that's not necessarily going to be the best decision for Torski OR anybody else.  Go with your gut.  I have found this to be invaluable for me.  BUT once you make your decision, STICK with IT and remember...NO REGRETS!!!

Successfully yours,

Torski