STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

kittenheels · Coach

Signals it's time to look for a new job?

calichic · Dooney & Bourke

I am sorry that you are going through this. It is tough.

Though I have not personally gone through anything like this (I've never had a real job), I think that you are just in a funk. It is hard having the three people you like most at your work leave and the fourth looking to leave. I think that you may want to give it a little time and see if the situation improves. It may be good to give yourself a timeline of how long you will give it before you will start looking for another job.

I hope that it gets resolved soon and that you feel better.

NCshopper · Hermes

Oh, can I sympathize!

I've been pretty unhappy at my job for the past year or so, but because of a committment I made to my boss, I felt it was best for me to try to stick it out. I recently made the decision to quit and I remember just agonizing over the decision. I made the decision after realizing that my best days at work were mediocre and my worst days had me crying in the bathroom or in the car as I was driving home from work. All of this was starting to creep into my attitude at home and I was finding myself being really grumpy, anti-social, and I'd take out my work frustrations on my husband, which was totally unfair.

So, anyway. I'd say if you're demonstrating any of those signs, then it's probably time to leave. But there's a lot of factors that go into a job decision. Money is one, but if you're not happy, I don't think money is going to change that. Do you generally like what you do? Do you think your work/life balance is off? Do you feel appreciated? Do you feel like there's a chance to grow at your current job? Is there anyone left at your office that you can envision being friends with? If you feel like there's hope being in your office, then I'd say try to stick it out. It may just be a case where you miss your friends and it could be fine once some new people come in. If you feel like the situation doesn't stand much of a chance for improvement, then start putting your feelers out there.

Good luck. I know it's tough.

valenciana · Dooney & Bourke

I don't really have any words of wisdom...but a little commiseration...my husband is in the *exact* same situation, except he's a second year. He's considering government jobs or something in-house (although he does litigation, so in-house might not fit his interests as well), his two best work friends recently left, and all the associates in his group are miserable and want to leave as well. The partners are constantly asking if he's buying a house yet (i.e. are you committing or keeping yourself portable?) and yapping on and on about the perks of working for a big law firm and why he shouldn't leave.

As for making partner, my husband says he's heard it compared to a pie-eating contest where the prize is more pie. He definitely does not want more pie.

Anyway...I'm sure my post isn't very helpful, but just know you're not the only one who feels this way. Balance is incredibly important in life, and from my perspective, law firms just don't offer that. Sad, but true.

Hang in there...and we're here to bounce ideas off of if you need. I know I have that discussion almost nightly at my house.

AllieGurl · Marc Jacobs

I always have lived by the motto "love where you work and it wont be work anymore". You spend more time at work then you do on your personal life (as the majority of americans do..) so if you have to be there every day you should want to be there.

If that means taking a paycut for a bit more happiness , I personally would do it. While saving for retirement is very important, you cant live your life preparing for the last 15 years of it and not enjoying the life you currently have.

Best of luck, I hope everything works out!

blubirde · Chanel

Word of warning: the pay cut can be significant and that can lead to other unhappiness (from one atty to another). Gov't jobs have their benefits, but I can assure you that they're not any more peachy to get up for in the morning than other jobs. Just my two cents.

sydney · Kate Spade

Sounds like a bit of a funk since your friends just left, but you also say you do like the work. I would stick it out for a little while and ride out the feelings of change with your friends leaving. I think people sometimes don't stay long enough with one job, before looking for a quick change. There are problems and difficult people wherever you go. If you truly enjoy the people you work with, you are in a better position than many. Tell yourself you can look for a new job in early part of the new year or spring if you still are unhappy. This time of year is tough to transition into a new job, with all the holidays. What you could do now, for yourself, if update your resume (in case something falls in your lap) and write down your goals and aspirations - that way, you'll recognize the perfect opportunity when it comes along.

lynnie · Chanel

I think you should wait til spring to look around- personally it would be too stressful to even think about changing jobs before the holidays, and I think spring has this air of change in it that could be beneficial when job hunting. Til then, see what you can improve in your personal life- maybe take a class that interests you, do improvements around the house, save even more aggressively...and see if it has any effect on your job- maybe you will be more okay with it, or maybe you'll hate it even more. I think you should really think about what you want out of a different job- if its more free time then that is something you need to find out (maybe from someone that works there- not the person hiring you) before you accept a paycut. A paycut obv. isn't worth working at an equally time consuming job w/crappier people.

uesgirl · BCBG

I know where you're coming from-- I just started my third year at a big law firm and although I generally like it, sometimes the long hours and billable expectations get to me and I wonder when it is time to say when.

I'm not sure what city you're in or how this applies across markets, but I have always heard that, at least in NY, associates are at their most marketable for other opportunities between their third and fifth years. Anything less than that and you don't have all that many skills to offer a new employer, anything more and it seems like you might be leaving because you were going to be passed up for partner. This may be changing a bit because of the market pay increases over the last year (I would think that people are more reluctant to leave big firm life), but still-- knowing that I don't want to be partner, I have always planned on leaving in another two years and I think a lot of people in my class will probably leave in the next years too-- I'm scared of being one of the last ones standing without many friends left. The market seems really good right now, judging by all the recruiter phone calls I get.

If you're not sure, maybe just talk to recruiters when they call you about what else is out there and how they pay? If offers sound tempting, maybe that's a sign that you're ready to move on. If they don't sound tempting, you probably aren't ready to go. You'll probably know when the time is right.

-- Edited by uesgirl at 08:39, 2006-11-02

kittenheels · Coach

Thanks everyone! I'm evaluating my position and sending out resumes now. I did consider switching firms earlier this year and decided that if I were going to be at a big firm, I might as well stay where I am.

It's the billable hours which get me down. I suppose they sound sort of stupid if you don't deal with them in your job, but it's a huge stress when you can't enjoy the slow times. The money at the positions I'm looking at is pretty good...and my sources tell me the lifestyle is REALLY good compared to what I'm used to seeing.

So, in the meantime, I'm planning trips and trying to stay positive, so that I can stay here as long as I have to until I find the right next job :)

esquiress · Marc Jacobs

Have you thought about applying for a federal clerkship? Please feel free to PM me if you want to chat in further detail.

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

kittenheels wrote:

Thanks everyone! I'm evaluating my position and sending out resumes now. I did consider switching firms earlier this year and decided that if I were going to be at a big firm, I might as well stay where I am.

It's the billable hours which get me down. I suppose they sound sort of stupid if you don't deal with them in your job, but it's a huge stress when you can't enjoy the slow times. The money at the positions I'm looking at is pretty good...and my sources tell me the lifestyle is REALLY good compared to what I'm used to seeing.

So, in the meantime, I'm planning trips and trying to stay positive, so that I can stay here as long as I have to until I find the right next job :)

I completely understand. Public Accounting is no different. I hate chargeable vs. nonchargeable hours and having to have a utilization rate of one thing but then in order to keep with the firm's work-life balance it can't be over something else which is just impossible for my office. Maybe some of the smaller offices don't have a problem and can have that balance but I never will.

I also find that with PA the 3-5 year mark is when people jump ship and tend to do fairly well. After that period we have to worry about cooling off periods and independence issues which are a PITA.

So if you are wanting to jump now is probably the starting point for the ideal time period. I hope you get out of your funk and figure out the right direction.

kittenheels · Coach

Thanks ladies! I found a couple new positions that look like I might be qualified for them...so that's good news!