by Adam Dawson
The last two weeks have been a complete whirlwind in our household. Really, it all started back in February of this year, when I started my new job. I work in the technology sector and I was hired to work on making a new product successful. I got to do this job for exactly 8 weeks before my hiring manager was reassigned to a new project. A new VP took over our business unit, and we began butting heads immediately. I won’t go into detail on this public blog for fear of getting dooced, but let’s say this: we do not have a Love Connection. My responsibilities were gradually whittled down during the next several weeks. If I could say more, I’m sure you’d be on my side in the conflict. But I am trying to learn from the experience to be better in the future.
In August, I received an ominous performance review that was at best, only marginally justified, and was instructed to think about whether this role was appropriate for me. I stressed that my priority was to be successful in my work. But I saw the writing on the wall and began looking immediately for another job. I’m glad I did, because two weeks ago, I was given “the talk” — the company was giving me a window of time to find another role internally before putting me on the path to exit.
Thankfully, my networking in the meantime had begun to pay off. I had been searching internally and interviewing since August. Within a week of getting that ultimatum, I had received two offers and several other strong leads. Fortunately, I work in a growing industry and have stumbled into some skills that are in demand. We do not take for granted that we are very fortunate to be in this position, and we are so, so grateful.
It’s sad that I can’t continue doing the role I was hired for. I’m good at it and I genuinely liked it, for those 8 short weeks. But I’m glad I saw the writing on the wall and didn’t stick my head in the sand, and have worked to open additional doors. (Wow – I graduated summa cum laude from metaphor school with that sentence. Or is it simile school? Or analogies? I give up.) I know this post is pretty vague, but hopefully you can understand. I expect to be able to share more in the next couple of weeks. For her part, Emily has been AMAZING at supporting me through the stress and emotional roller coaster. She has been steady as she goes, remarkably unfazed. And no, she did not hack my account and write those last two sentences herself.
Today, as I’m on the verge of choosing my future direction, I found the phrase above in my fortune cookie at lunch. Luck is coming my way. But what kind of luck? (Also, if you win the lottery with those numbers, please send me enough of your winnings to pay off my loans. 🙂 )
Is there any way to accept a new position with a start date as many weeks into the future as possible? Then see if you can wrangle a severance package from your current employer to make up for your stress and disruption to your life… They don’t need to know you’ve already accepted another position. Once you get the severance deal all officially on paper, you can let your new employer know that you’ve wrapped things up at the old place more quickly than expected and would available sooner than you anticipated. If they are happy to have you immediately, great. You collect severance and a new paycheck simultaneously. If they want to stick to the planned start date then you can have a stress free break between jobs knowing you aren’t really unemployed for that time, just catching your breath before the next adventure.
Good Luck, Adam!
I’m in a similar situation except i’m still trying to find another job. The problem is that i won’t be able to get the same salary range as the current job since there’s alot of competition in my field and i haven’t yet been given the “talk” yet…but there’s talk about the talk. I can symphathize with you in that it’s stressful to work in an environment like that and in the long run, i think it’s better to leave a job where they don’t value you rather than stick it out.
I’m sorry the position you were (are) in didn’t work out, but it sounds like you will be able to move on from this and be even more successful. Good luck!
Good luck!
And as a sidenote: I’m an Indianapolis Colts fan, so your fortune cookie message is hilarious to me (Andrew Luck, our awesome QB, who’s number is 12).
Yeah…I’ll be in my corner.
I’m a huge Colts fan! We are originally from Indiana. I thought of this too, considered tweeting this pic to Jim Irsay today.
Eating out? Really? After that last post? LOL just kidding. Kinda. Good luck on your future endeavors! And I agree – try to finagle a severance!
I do not know if you have already made a decision or not . . . But here is a couple things my husband did when he switched companies a year and a half ago. First he figured out benefits cost and found new benefits would cost more than current company so he asked for additional salary to make up difference. He was given it but he did not get signing bonus. He then made sure he passed background check and drug screening BEFORE giving two week notice. Once those two items cleared he then gave notice. One never knows what criteria companies use background checks, credit scores, etc. You want to make sure all is settled with new company before notice is given.
Good luck!
What a proactive thing to do after receiving your appraisal. Many people I know would spend a few days sulking and complaining, but what you did goes to show that you can handle problems if you actually care to address them head-on. Hope you find the right job.
It looks like the potential move is an internal move under a different V.P. thus severance might not be an option.
If it makes you feel any better (or at least not alone), we’re going through a similar situation with my husband’s firm, only it’s a funding issue and not a personality clash/performance problem. He was given notice that his position has been de-funded as of Dec. 31, ironically by a gov’t budget office that just started slashing things willy nilly to look like they’re trying to handle their gross mismanagement of taxpayer money, and his firm is looking to place him elsewhere internally. If that fails, they will have to let him go. Thankfully, he’s got great contacts and saw the writing on the wall back in July and has reached out to several different options with a very promising outlook. Probably have to take a slight cut in pay, but it’s way better than nothing! Good luck to you!
“There’s no such thing as luck. Luck is where preparation meets opportunity.”
? Amy Hempel
Ugh. I’ve so been there. I’m sorry you’re having to go through this, Adam.
What I learned from my terrible job situation is twofold. One – sometimes there is just a terrible work situation, and no matter what you do or how hard you work, it’s not going to work out. Like you, I had someone who just plain didn’t like me, and actively tried to undermine me at every turn. I tried everything I could to make her like me, and to do the work in a way that she wanted. But I realized I can’t follow the rules when I don’t have the rulebook. I was forced out as well. Two – in my line of work it takes about a year to get a new position. I realized I needed to get out of debt ASAP and have at least a year’s worth of expenses in the bank so that if I ever get into another horrible work situation, I won’t be in trouble. I’m still working on this aspect of my epiphany, and some months are better than others.
I wish you good luck and a speedy resolution to this messy situation.
You always have to add “in bed” to any fortune cookie phrase. Luck is coming your way in bed.
You need to read Dr Phil McGraw book Life Code. I am very impressed with it and hope to have some pointers for my grandson. This is not a nice world we live in anymore.
Another excellent book for someone just entering the work world is the classic “Talking 9 to 5” by Deborah Tannen. Really wished I’d read that sooner, but it’s never too late.
Consider those 8 weeks and the subsequent fall out to be a executive ed course that you were paid to take. There are always positive take-aways from a relationship gone bad, especially if you land on your feet. Don’t overlearn though and become a drone.
Whatever luck does come you way, it is important that you prepare for it and put yourself in the position necessary in order to benefit from the luck.