When to decide is time to change your job?

[Theseus]

First of all hi, I am new here, well at least this avatar because I have visited this forum for years now. Nice to meet you all! (between english is not my first language so I would thank you if you help to improve )

Well, I would like to hear (or read) your opinion about my situation.

I studied systems engineering and now I am working in my first job ever. I have like 2 months there. I am working as an auditor for a big firm but since the first day I have been debating about staying there or trying something else. (I have really had days where I want to leave and never go back but because of the money and also having a real job experience I'm still there)
Since college I have wanted to make videogames and that was also the theme for my graduation work. Also I want to be independent and have my own business (have been reading and also took a course about business development in college).

Right now I am living with my parents and they say they will support any choice I make about this. Now I don't know if I should stay there for the last month of my trial period and leave or stay there for more time to get more experience and obtain more money and then change jobs (to something like software development or web design that I feel might be more aligned with the technical skills I want) or try making a business of my own now (I might start with web development, blogging or something else).


Thanks for reading, I would really appreciate your insights.

[Steve Boyd]

Well stay for the 2 months, that's a no brainer. It's such a trivial amount of time I'm sure you'll survive it ;-)

It's OK to apply for other jobs while you're still there, since you're only on a 2 month trial no one will be surprised.

If you do get another job it'll give you options, if nothing else it'll put you in a stronger negotiating position with your current job if they want to write up a contract for you to stay long term

As for working for yourself, I did something similar while living at home more or less at the start of my career. It didn't really work out though was very valuable experience. Living at home makes the lack of income a lot easier to manage.

In your exact position, I'd probably apply for other jobs and try and get business of your own going in your spare time. It usually takes multiple failures to get a business going.

[Clint Cora]

I agree with Steve. Stay at least until your trial period is over so you don't burn any bridges with people and you have a decent record. You never know who or how some people might be able to help you in the future so you definitely want to fulfill any work commitments you have.

And yes, you can always scope out other job opps while you are still in your present position. As for your own ventures, do them on the side until they pick up.

Good luck

[Theseus]

Well, you are right about at least keep working until the end of the trial period in that job and also that I need to keep searching for other job opportunities while I'm still there.
What bothers me is that after each work day when I arrive home I feel tired and discharged and then I don't feel motivated to do more mental work(for my venture/business/project) and I need to sleep early because I need to wake up early to arrive on time to my job and be able to stay active. So I'm also struggling to know how to go to that job during the day and feel energized enough to keep doing my things in the night.

Thanks for your posts.

[Clint Cora]

If you only have an hour or even 30 minutes per night to work on your venture, do it. Then you have the weekends to put in more time. Think of it this way, you don't accomplish great things without putting in your effort. It's your choice.

[Derelle]

Originally Posted by Theseus

First of all hi, I am new here, well at least this avatar because I have visited this forum for years now. Nice to meet you all! (between english is not my first language so I would thank you if you help to improve )

Well, I would like to hear (or read) your opinion about my situation.

I studied systems engineering and now I am working in my first job ever. I have like 2 months there. I am working as an auditor for a big firm but since the first day I have been debating about staying there or trying something else. (I have really had days where I want to leave and never go back but because of the money and also having a real job experience I'm still there)
Since college I have wanted to make videogames and that was also the theme for my graduation work. Also I want to be independent and have my own business (have been reading and also took a course about business development in college).

Right now I am living with my parents and they say they will support any choice I make about this. Now I don't know if I should stay there for the last month of my trial period and leave or stay there for more time to get more experience and obtain more money and then change jobs (to something like software development or web design that I feel might be more aligned with the technical skills I want) or try making a business of my own now (I might start with web development, blogging or something else).


Thanks for reading, I would really appreciate your insights.

I can totally understand, I am working job I rather not at the time but because of the money, I can't just leave. As I type this, I am dreading the early morning drag self out of bed. I am working on some other projects on the internet. When you are working online, you can't just quit your job, until you are making a certain amount each month. It may take some time but once you get things flowing online, you will be able to quit that job and work at your passion. Trust I know how it feels to have to put your passions on hold. It will work out in the end though, if that passion is strong and you keep at it, it will come through. Never give up on your dream. It is your path to happiness.

[Theseus]

Clint Cora, you are right at least I can invest an hour during weekdays so I'll do that while I have a day job. I will probably need to make an extra effort but it's ok, it's my choice.

Right now I don't know if I should stay there while I set up my project or to change to a different job after my contract expires. Is it normal to think what if the next job is worst than this one? or what if I don't find another job in a long time? or all those unwanted possibilities that could happen? Those thoughts keep bothering me even if I know that nothing like that has happened.

Thanks for your understanding Derelle. Sometimes I need to remember me it's only temporal and that in the future I will be able to focus what's important to me.

[aelle]

I hear that staying a couple years at your first job is a great resume-proofing strategy, even if you're more fickle after that - shows employers you can commit to something. But it's really flexible depending on your industry.

If I were in your shoes (and I kind of am, actually, this is what I am doing) I would 1. stay in the current job and perform as if you were staying there forever. Be a great performer, develop your skills, don't burn any bridges. 2. look, in your free time, for another job that is more suited to your plans. Don't just toss resumes out there and answer job postings - networking is the most effective way to find a great position. Put the word out about what you are looking for, and get in touch with people in your target industry. Take them out for coffee or lunch.
Don't just ask them straight out for a job - let them talk about how they found their current position, what it's like working for their company, what's the atmosphere like, the workload, the pay, what clients want, who are the industry leaders, how well do free-lancers do in this market, who they know that you would be interested in meeting, etc. This is what I am doing at the moment and it's a great way to get a clear insider's view of which companies are good to work for / suited to your work style and which aren't. You should get a lot less surprises when starting your job that way.

Even if you don't end up taking a new position, talking to a variety of professionals is a great way to make sure you are paid what you're worth, how the job market is evolving, what are the opportunities out there...

I think it was linked in another thread, but I don't know if you saw it: Ramit Sethi has a great segment at the moment on finding your dream job: The 80/20 Guide to Finding a Job You Love
Even if you just browse his free archives there are tons of interesting strategies on how to network, interview, negotiate your salary, etc. Golden stuff.

[Theseus]

Well, In my current job I try to perform the best that I can while also thinking if I could be doing something something different so is a little hard to me sometimes, and about skills that's where I have trouble when I think about it because I feel in this job I can´t develop technical skills that could be useful to me in the future for development, only the soft skills and critical thinking could be used after I leave.

The idea of getting the insider's view of possible new workplaces seems great. I am currently checking out Ramit Sethi's webpage and it seems pretty interesting and practical.