When skills, talents are underutilized, it’s OK to look for something new
Dear Sam: I recently earned my master’s degree and was offered a job at a wellknown and reputable company. Given the position title and job description, I thought it was going to be similar to a job experience I had held earlier and thoroughly enjoyed; hence, I was excited and confident to jump in.
Now, five months later, I have not used a fraction of my education, and some weeks I have not had one single thing to work on. This is not unknown to my manager, either, as I bring it up every week in our meeting. Not only am I tremendously bored, but I’m also growing less and less confident because I am not using or improving any of my skills.
I thought this would be a great place to gain experience and get my foot in the door. Even though I knew this would not be my forever job, I’m questioning how valuable this “experience” is if I’m not using, gaining or improving any skills. Most days I dread coming into work, knowing I have nothing to keep me busy.
I want to give it time to see if things improve, but I’m not sure how much time to give. I know my skills can be better utilized than this, but I’m not sure how, when or if to make my next move. Do you have any advice or suggestions for me? I’d hate to waste too much time here and be in a worse position than I already feel like I am. — Bored & Lacking Confidence
Dear Bored & Lacking Confidence: I am sorry to hear this role has not met your expectations. This can certainly be a tricky situation, since it is your first career position, and you do not want to create a picture of being a job-hopper. Given that you have been quite vocal that you are eager to embrace the responsibilities you were promised, and because you have continued to voice to your supervisor that you are desperately seeking tasks and projects, I imagine it is unlikely that your current situation will change to your liking.
Based on that premise, I suggest that you launch a targeted job search, presenting this job as “2018-present” on your resume. The reader doesn’t have to know (at least initially) that the experience has only lasted five months. During a job interview, you should have no shame in explaining that the position for which you were hired and the promised job description do not in any way match your actual role, and that on most days you spend your time chasing things to do. Communicate that you love to be immersed in your work, act purposefully and stay busy. Any potential employer will see these as positive traits reflecting well on you. Don’t worry about the perception of your looking for a job after just five months. Hiring managers will understand that sometimes positions are not what they seem and that it is often best to make a change rather than to stay and languish.
As you likely will not be informing your current supervisor of your job search, try to get in touch with any former peers or managers who may have been privy to your work style and work ethic while at that company, and ask them for letters of recommendation. I suggest this because I doubt you have had a performance review at your current job yet, so a letter of recommendation will vouch that the reason for your desired departure is not related to performance — but instead, that your work ethic and drive just aren’t syncing with the current company’s needs.
I wish you success in your search. If you are still with the company when the new year arrives, that will allow you to list “through 2019” on your resume, regardless of when you may actually leave the company in 2019, which could be an added benefit for your resume. However, don’t hold up your search for that purpose, as fall is a strong time in the job market.
Go out and get a great job that will keep you busy, learning and growing as a professional. — Samantha Nolan is a certified professional resume writer and the owner of Nolan Branding, a full-service resumewriting firm. Email resume or job-search questions to dearsam@nolanbranding. com. To find out more about Nolan and her services, visit www.nolanbranding.com, or call 614-570-3442.