Taking a new job in the COVID era

[Narj]

I'm wondering if anyone's moved jobs in the current mess and whether they'd like to share what their experiences have been like when it comes to integrating into a new team.

I'm struggling in my current place in a team I've been a key part of for years so am wary about a move right now given how difficult collaboration has become and the fact that we've been thrown into at least another 6 months of limbo.

At least in my field it's a bit of a nightmare when you're not physically working together in the same location and can't just bounce ideas off each other or chip in when you overhear a conversation.

Just weighing up whether it's worth the risk of even more frustration really.

 

[Narj]

My opinion is that I would be more than happy to change jobs in today's climate, assuming it was a reputable / relatively stable organisation with good people.

It's the people that find a way to make collaboration work, at least in my line of work; but if it's already rubbish where you are in terms of team interaction, why would that be a reason not to move somewhere else, where it could presumably (hopefully) only be better?

To be honest my mantra is that I make do with what I have and focus on getting paid. I try to avoid politics and whinging wherever possible and just get on with it.

I think I worded that poorly - my team is great, it's just the current situation (not working in the office) makes it a nightmare working together.

I just have this gut feeling that even going to a "better" place will still be painful as there's not the base of knowledge and well-established network of colleagues anymore so potentially you could end up feeling pretty isolated. Maybe I'm over-thinking it but I suppose it's a good idea to ask about how engagement will work in the current WFH limbo.

 

[Narj]

I'm currently in the process of hiring one of my ex-colleagues. His onboarding is going to be odd given the hands-off approach and remote working from day-1, but we'll make it work as I know he has the skills that my team needs.

Interesting situation as I may have an opportunity working with someone I used to work for too.

The real wrenches at the moment ringing alarm bells are:

1) I'm in the middle of a project and would feel terrible dumping it on my colleagues by leaving (although once I have the first half done, the rest is essentially taking that first half as a template and transposing). It just doesn't feel professional and I wish the timing was better.

2) I am extremely nervous with all the uncertainty right now and despite the fact that my current role stresses me out, it's familiar and I can't help that "better the devil you know" feeling. :/

3) There's a chance of redundancy down the line which would be a lot of money.

Ugh.

 

[Narj]

Well I went for an interview anyway. Mostly for the experience and the battering given holes in my knowledge and lack of time to prepare. Even if it was offered, it sounds like I'd be going from one stressful job to another with the added grief of having to learn a new (admittedly really interesting) environment while working from home.

Given my circumstances have changed and I'm likely going to need a bit of flexibility in the near future I'm just carrying on with Plan A, which is to finish my course of study, get certified, pay the mortgage off early next year and then see how the land lies for a career change. Money won't be such a motivating factor then.

I think this at least has really made me focus on what I want. I really enjoy some of my job, the technology and smart people I work with but I just hate all the stress and corporate politics that comes with it. At least I have certainty at the moment while I get my ducks in a row.

 

[Narj]

Life is boring if you don't inject a bit of interest / difference - I work hard, and it's paying off.

That said, in your situation OP, you need to be sure you'll be stepping into something you can deal with.

Cheers for the reply. I went through several interviews in the end, but decided not to pursue it.

I don't think changing over to doing the same job at another company with the same sort of fast-paced environment will fix my fundamental issues with where I'm at career wise right now. I need a real change so if I'm going to go through disruption I'd rather not do it multiple times.

I'll have my mortgage paid off soon so will be in a position to be a bit braver and jump to something completely different if I want. Hopefully after redundancy which is looking more likely now.