Stressing about quitting new job

tropical.dreams

In January, I had a great opportunity to go work for my former boss that I highly respect. It was an assistant manager position at $3 more per hour, plus commissions and bonuses, than what I was making before.

Sadly, the fast pace and high stress position is affecting my health after only 6 weeks on the job. I have fibromyalgia, and it is exacerbated by extensive activity and high stress, and unfortunately, I did not realize at the time I accepted the job that it was going to be SO MUCH of both. I'm working at least 45 hours per week, not getting home till after 7pm every night, working Saturdays, and generally just not having the energy to do anything else (i.e. housework, quality time with Jason) except for work.

My manager and I have been close friends, and we have, in the last few days, come to an agreement that I just cannot physically continue with this job. I will be turning in my notice on Monday.

My fear is that I have NOTHING else lined up, and quite honestly, I have no idea what I'm going to do. Two more paychecks with them will allow me to pay rent, car payment, car insurance, and minimum payments on my credit card (thankfully, I only have $700 in debt) through May. I feel like I'm floating into nowhere, with no clear definition of where my life will be going in one month's time. Plus, we already have a vacation lined up for mid-May, which we cannot cancel, or we lose over $800 in cancellation fees and have an additional $500 in airfare credit that we'd have to use another time. It just doesn't make financial sense to cancel, as we'd basically get only $700 back. And who's going to want to hire someone in April, knowing that they're going to have to take a week off in May?

I just feel sick about it...it was a bad choice to take the job, in hindsight...but what can I do now? I'm also worried that other jobs I might apply for might be that same fast pace and high stress, and that this illness is going to cause me to not be able to work anything full time.

I just don't know what to do...

stacyinluv

You would be surprised at how understanding new employers are about hiring someone new and them needing to take a week off for a planned vacation that they cannot cancel.  Just be up front with them during the interview process.  As far as new job opportunities go, I've been on monster a lot these past couple of days and I have seen numerous opportunities for leasing/management, definetly check it out.  If you are worried about working because of fast pace/high stress, check to see if your budget would allow you to work part-time/flextime.  Have you thought about taking a different direction in your career path?  Such as working in a call center doing customer service? 

the_magic_number

Don't stress too much about leaving the job.  I started at Company A right out of college, I was there for 5 1/2 years before leaving for another job with Company B.  I was then offered what I thought to be a job with my dream company (Company C).  I ended up being so stressed out all the time.  I was working 50+ hours a week.  Connor was the first kid dropped off in the morning (at 6:30) and the last kid picked up (around 5:45).  I felt like I was truly having someone else raise him.  Then I had a mid-year review and my boss told me that I wasn't performing up to par and that I better start doing better.  It was then that I decided if I can't get the job done working over 50 hours a week then I was going to cut my hours to 40 and start looking for a new job.  Once I did that I was much happier and much more pleasant to be around.  I am now back at Company A and I am the happiest that I have been in years.  Basically, don't stress about leaving a job, you have to watch out for yourself and also, don't worry about the vacation that you have planned.  Interview for new jobs and when the offer comes, let them know about the vacation.  The worst they will do is tell you that they won't pay you for your time off but at least you will have a job.  Good luck and take care of yourself.

tropical.dreams

See...that's the thing. I don't want to do leasing anymore. This has totally tipped me into burn out mode. I'm tired of high pressure sales, and I want to do something totally different...but have no idea what. I've worked in a call center before, and hatd it. I hate being tied to a phone headset all day, not being able to get up and move around.

I'm just in a spot where I don't know what I want to do. I'm turning 30 next week...I should have my life figured out by now. Twice in my life I've been unemployed for several months, and even then, I got unemployment, so it wasn't as dire as it is now...I'm just flipping out thinking that I might have NO income coming in, for God knows how long...

the_magic_number

Have you thought about temping?  That might be a way to figure out what you want to do.

tropical.dreams

Yeah, I think that's the only thing that's gone through my head and come out as a real idea! LOL I might try to get signed up with Manpower for the summer, so that way I can take off if I need to for my health, and just see where it goes.

I'm just afraid that employers don't look favorably on people who work temp jobs. Not to mention...I'm embarrassed to say this...with all my years working in offices, I've never really gotten more than basic on Microsoft Word/Excel, and I've NEVER used PowerPoint or Quickbooks or any of those things I see listed in ads as necessary skills!

stacyinluv

The good thing about the Microsoft applications are that they can be self taught.  Go to the library and get a couple of books and sit down during one of your days off and you would be surprised what you will learn.  None of these applications are terribly hard to learn.  The great thing about temp companies though are some of their clients are right to hire, so who knows, if you do a good job, they could try to recruit you directly.  Have you looked at any networking sites?

the_magic_number

When I was at "Company C" we used a lot of temps and we viewed them as a three month interview.  We always went temp-to-hire and only in management positions were people hired in full-time.

Mrs.SabrinaM

Also look into "recruiters" that will do temp to hire positions.  Many will some do almost exclusivly.  I know there is one in worthington Anne Jones I think that picks up almost exclusivly temp to hire positions.  It will keep money comming in the door, give you the flexibility you need and might lead to another opportunity.

jlldbs031905

I would recommend temping also.  Check out various temp services, some of them offer training in various programs to get you the training you need for various jobs.  My DH moved to Columbus for a job and worked 2 wks and realized it wasn't the place for him and just walked out the door with no safety net to fall back on.  He started temping and Nationwide and was hired on and has now been there almost 8 years! 

Also check out the local library, our library has free classes in many Microsoft office products!

Good luck!

emilyandbrady

ditto all the temping suggestions.  that's how i got my first job.  Try places like Spherion and Robert Half b/c they usually have contracts with big companies in the area--i.e. NW, Honda, etc.