| |
You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Self-Improvement/Self-Help > How to Get What You Want in Life > indecisive!
Expert: John Chancellor - 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
Hi Jess,
You should not think of yourself as a job hopper or a loser. The truth is you are working for a very poor manager.
I have developed a good definition of a good job - it is one you get up in the morning and look forward to going to. The pay, benefits, etc. do not matter if you dread going to work. I am sure your manager means well. In staging events, it is extremely important that all the details are correct. A small detail can have a major impact on the overall success of an event. So she is right to be concerned about details. It seems to me she is wrong in the manner she goes about things.
Here is something very important to understand. She will probably not change. So if you are not comfortable working with her now, you will probably never be comfortable working with her.
I would not discuss the new position with her. You should interview for the new position and ask a lot of detailed questions. Make sure that the job and the manager are suited for you and your talents. Then once you have decided to take the new job you can discuss why you are leaving. Do not let her tell you that things will be different or that she will make adjustments. People can change their behavior on a short term basis, they rarely change their basic personality.
I think it is good that your old company has asked you to come talk to them. But take your time and make sure the new manager is one whose management style will fit with your work style.
You will spend most of your adult life working. Life is too short to be working under conditions you find stressful.
I hope this helps. If I can be of further assistance, please let me know.
John
Add to this Answer
Ask a Question
|
|
