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Debating to leave my job half way through my contract, what should I do?

I graduated with a computer Science degree in 2016, did a 3 month systems analyst internship in 2017 and in 2018 I got a job as a business analyst. After 5 years as a business analyst I got made redundant exactly a year ago. Took a few months off and went on holiday, then in January of this year I got a new job as a software engineer in the public sector as a 2 year contractor. Over a year in to the job and I am getting frustrated as it feels like there's a lot of micro management and I'm not keen on the environment, there is a new guy that joined the team in the same role as me a few months ago who is around 25 years older than me with way more experience, he can talk forever and is always keen on doing everything and today the project manager of the project that I'm working on has stated that I 'should be more proactive like him', I was a bit annoyed at this and I don't know whether to speak to my line manager about it. I really want to leave and don't know whether to wait for a new role or just leave like this.Will it look bad to my next employer if I left after a year and how do I explain it if asked at interview? From a financial perspective I have nearly 20k saved to keep me going if I decide to leave without having something else lined up.

Reply 1

Don't leave until.you've got something else lined up; there's no telling how long you could be unemployed.

However, why not ask the project manager what is meant by the comments? Maybe there are areas for improvement so don't be closed off to it all.
(edited 10 months ago)
Original post
by Usy111
I graduated with a computer Science degree in 2016, did a 3 month systems analyst internship in 2017 and in 2018 I got a job as a business analyst. After 5 years as a business analyst I got made redundant exactly a year ago. Took a few months off and went on holiday, then in January of this year I got a new job as a software engineer in the public sector as a 2 year contractor. Over a year in to the job and I am getting frustrated as it feels like there's a lot of micro management and I'm not keen on the environment, there is a new guy that joined the team in the same role as me a few months ago who is around 25 years older than me with way more experience, he can talk forever and is always keen on doing everything and today the project manager of the project that I'm working on has stated that I 'should be more proactive like him', I was a bit annoyed at this and I don't know whether to speak to my line manager about it. I really want to leave and don't know whether to wait for a new role or just leave like this.Will it look bad to my next employer if I left after a year and how do I explain it if asked at interview? From a financial perspective I have nearly 20k saved to keep me going if I decide to leave without having something else lined up.

Id deffo wait until you get another job before leaving this one. If you arent happy where you are then start looking for jobs whenever you want. If you are on a fixed term contract anyway, then thats a good excuse to use if any futire employer asks.
If you arent happy with the managers comments, then id speak to them about what happened.

Reply 3

Seems like you have a year left to complete the contract? I think I'd stick it out unless you find something better first. A two year period in a job and completing a contract might help when looking for your next role.

Reply 4

Original post
by Usy111
I graduated with a computer Science degree in 2016, did a 3 month systems analyst internship in 2017 and in 2018 I got a job as a business analyst. After 5 years as a business analyst I got made redundant exactly a year ago. Took a few months off and went on holiday, then in January of this year I got a new job as a software engineer in the public sector as a 2 year contractor. Over a year in to the job and I am getting frustrated as it feels like there's a lot of micro management and I'm not keen on the environment, there is a new guy that joined the team in the same role as me a few months ago who is around 25 years older than me with way more experience, he can talk forever and is always keen on doing everything and today the project manager of the project that I'm working on has stated that I 'should be more proactive like him', I was a bit annoyed at this and I don't know whether to speak to my line manager about it. I really want to leave and don't know whether to wait for a new role or just leave like this.Will it look bad to my next employer if I left after a year and how do I explain it if asked at interview? From a financial perspective I have nearly 20k saved to keep me going if I decide to leave without having something else lined up.

I think the real problem is that you feel you have been compared in a negative light to someone older and more experienced. The person who did it wasn’t very diplomatic and could almost certainly have handled it better,but comparison is going to be a part of any working environment so I would be proactive. I’d go and see the person who made the comment and show genuine interest in how you could improve. Confidence to express opinions comes with time and experience. It is also easier if you are working in a nurturing environment and maybe this isn’t the case in your present occupation. But giving up because of this comment won’t help you in the long term. So if it was me I’d go to the end of the contract whilst keeping your eyes and ears open for other opportunities. In 25 years you’ll be able to empathise with a younger colleague starting out in the profession.

Reply 5

I know what you feeling

Reply 6

Hi!
If I were you, I would start by looking for a new job. Leaving after a year might raise questions, but if you explain it well in an interview (for example, by mentioning that the job didn’t meet your expectations or that you’re looking for a more dynamic environment), it won’t be a big issue. It’s worth talking to your manager, but if nothing changes, it’s better to move on.

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