That first day on the new job, that nervous yet excited feeling, you are ready to start at your new position. Weeks pass by and you start to realize, things are still unsettling. You start to understand that you may have started something that you never intended to be a part of in the first place. So, you ask, “What do I do now and how do I move forward with where I am or start another new chapter?”

There are several different outlets you can take if you find yourself in this type of situation.

Have you given your new job a fair shot?

This is an important question to ask yourself when you find yourself unhappy with where you are. Has it been only a short amount of time and you are already questioning the change, or are you several months in and still not liking it? Taking some time to assess if you have given the role your best, and have nothing left to give, will help you know how to proceed. If you are feeling like you could give a little more effort, it might be worth sticking around a bit longer to see if you can make a positive change.

Do you have open communication with your team and boss?

Another important thing to consider is if you have communicated with your fellow colleagues any questions or concerns you may be having in your current role. Your colleagues may have found themselves in similar situations as you in the past. As uncomfortable as it may be, asking probing questions like, “is this supposed to be done this way” or “how has this been done in the past” can give you a better understanding of what’s going on and how things may need to improve. If you never ask, you may never know, and will not have a way to improve.

If you have found that you have exhausted all of your options, then it might be time to seek out something else. There are a couple of approaches you can take when you are in this position.

Go back to networking.

It may be time to take a step back and revisit some of those fellow colleagues or coworkers you used to work with or know from other outlets in the workforce. Nothing is wrong with putting your feelers out and gaining an understanding of what else is out there. In this case, if you don’t ask you will never know and it might be worth a shot connecting with people in different areas, etc.

Consider the facts.

When you find yourself unhappy where you are, it’s beneficial to investigate why that is. Make a list of the things that you are unhappy about and note specifically why. It might be helpful to make a pros and cons list that allows you to understand what is important to you versus what you may not want in the future. You can use this list to narrow down what you might want in your next position and be more cognizant of these things in the new job hunt.

Job Hunting

There are several places you can look for new jobs if you do find yourself in that predicament:

• CFP board: This is a great place to start if you do not know where to look.
• NAPFA job board: Here you can find a list of fee-only firms who are actively searching for candidates.
• New Planner Recruiting Website: Here you can find a range of jobs with experience levels anywhere from 0-7 years.

Entering a job that may not be for you can be difficult, but it’s important to remember that you do have options. There are different routes you can take in order to ensure that you continue to stay happy in the workplace and find that dream job you have been searching for.

If you are entering the financial planning profession or seeking the perfect fit with a top-tier financial planning firm, submit your resume here or pursue our openings for entry-level planners. We are here to help you in any way we can so you can secure your dream job!

 

Alexandra Staton