Telling the truth

[RMDS]

I've been mulling over a few things recently and thought id ask some enlightened others.

Im 25, left university a few years ago and by pure chance was offered a job shortly after. Note "offered", i never applied for it. Needing the money, and not expecting to be in it long, i took the job (european salesman).

It's really well paid, excellent company benfits, and i get to work abroad a fair bit. Given the difficulty new graduates are having finding jobs in the UK at the moment, and compared to what many of my friends are doing, im very lucky jobwise.

Six months after joining the company i told my boss that i didnt think it was the career for me, but he persuaded me to stick it out for a year or two to really give it a try. Fair enough, I decided to give it a shot.

That was about two years ago, my opinion hasnt changed and im bored. Really bored. The work doesnt inspire me- i have no motivation to make money, the constant travelling (ie. living out of a suitcase) novelty wears off quickly, the amount of time spent on your own is just disheartening. I also live 200km from my nearest friends in London.

Ive always known this career wasnt for me, and in my spare time I am persuing a career in public service which i hope to be in asap.

My problem is that every 6months at work we have a one-on-one appraisal with the boss and an external director. Im asked questions like "are you enjoying it", "we remember you were reluctant a first, how are you now finding it", "do you see this as a viable career?"

Now, coming to the whole point of this thread, i have found myself during these appraisals, lying. Lying through my teeth and coming out with answers to the effect of "yes, I enjoy it", "i misunderstood the role at first, but now i appreciate it more".

I dont enjoy lying (i reckon they secretly know it as well), and it just add to the negativity i have towards the role. So I'd like to ask what you would all do? - tell the truth, admit you dont like it and leave a well paid job during the middle of an employment crisis? Or lie, stick with it until something better comes along and just deal with it?

Thanks for reading, all opinions welcomed

RMDS

[Mouse]

Work to live not vice versa.
Then again - you're only here once and all that.

Tricky, but nothing to stop you looking for something you want to do in the meantime. It's often easier to find work when you're in work.

[eLvarouza]

I think in this situation you should hold on to your job until you have another offer. You can interview, look around, etc. while holding your job. Only if you have an offer, in writing, of another job, should you leave. Having work that sucks is better than having no work and no income, and there's no guarantee you'll find another job quickly.

[TakeFive]

Did you finish your degree? If not, you may not want to quit since you might end up competing with better qualified candidates for another job.

Can you afford to quit, or do you need to find another job first?

Can you be honest with your boss? Can he find you a new position in the company that you might like? Can you create a position - perhaps as a public service liason. Even if it's unpaid, with company resources behind you might make some valuable contacts.

Sounds naive, I know. But I've been suprised over the years that by having the courage to ask sometimes yields suprising results.

[Bee]

This is very interesting situation, I would map out on any A4 paper just some of the possible futures and what is most likely to happen seeing as you appear to be very much in control of your life (which is more than can be said of most persons). Try reasoning and creativity to decide on the best future for youself, if that involves lying then lie.

[RMDS]

Hey, apologies, I had entirely forgetten I started this thread!

@Mouse & Elvarousa: I agree, i hear from people who have been in the working world a lot longer than me that it is easier to find work when in work. I think jacking the job in with nowhere to go would be irrational.

@TakeFive: Yes, i finished my degree, and have also been accepted on to a Masters course for next septemeber. So, if i dont get a new job by then, i can take that up and work on what i am interested in. Youre probably onto something about not having the courage to ask, its been a continual character flaw of mine for a while now, not having the gumption to go for what im am entitled to/deserve.

@Bee: Interesting response. I was talking to someone the other day about my reluctance to quit out of the blue (and my aversion to lying all the time) due to a sense of loyalty to the company. They said that noone is irreplaceable and business is business, it suits noone being in the wrong job, so lie if that is what is necessary in the short term. I would disagree with one point you make though, i am not in control of my life, at least i dont feel as if i am, and that is what causes a lot of frustration.

Thanks for all the replies

RMDS