Feeling Stuck in the Wrong Job Role: Should I Quit or Stick It Out?

Hi everyone. Hope you're all doing well. I joined a company last month. It's been a month and a week since I joined there. The profile I have doesn't match my educational background. I wanted an analytics-based job profile, but I was offered an HR and Operations profile in this company. I knew from the beginning that this is not the profile I was looking for. However, having no other job at that time, I joined here, thinking that I might learn new things. I was supposed to learn about MIS and SAP, which I thought was good enough for the time being.

But the issue now is that the work I'm actually doing is far removed from HR Operations itself. I'm essentially doing the MD's secretary work, which I obviously don't want to do.

What should I do? Should I leave the job and wait for a job in my own profile in some other good company?

You need to decide whether to cut your losses and move on or stay there, gain some experience, and keep looking for the opportunity that you are after. Are you a fresher? Some of us do not even know what we want in life. I know of people who studied law, got attached to a law firm, quit the profession, and are now working in a supermarket chain in customer relations. I know medical doctors who have quit practicing and joined as medical representatives selling medicines. I also know engineers who studied MBA and are teaching management subjects.

Thank you for your reply. I even thought the same, that I would get to learn something and gain some good experience as it was anyway better than being at home and waiting for the job I'm looking for. But this is the problem, I'm not learning anything new. It's just maintaining the diary of the MD, keeping his appointments fixed, tracking the emails he receives, and discussing with him. It's been around 40 days since I joined, and nobody here is keen to teach me anything even when I express my interest in learning. It feels like I'm not even working on the profile I was offered. Starting that work would require more time here. It would be beneficial for me to learn something only if I were to stay here long-term. However, I don't want to work in this profile as I aim to build my career in Analytics. I'm just confused about whether I should leave this job since I'm not gaining any relevant experience here that would count in a different company for an Analytics job profile. Or should I continue here as I don't have another job lined up, but I am actively searching for one. However, I'm struggling to find enough time to prepare for another profile as the working days here are from Monday to Saturday.

Thank you very much for the quick response. You have taken up a job that came along, as you did not want to sit at home. That's a plus. However, it seems you have not been told that it can take 6 months to find the right job.

Have you discussed with the MD? One of the advantages of working as a Secretary for the MD is making contacts and getting to know people. I have firmly believed that a qualified person can even work as a cleaner and still gain experience if she can start reflecting on how that work is important for the success of the firm. I can give an example, but I won't. I would rather you think and answer that question.

I recently read an item on Rediff.com about how a school dropout became a CEO of his own firm. He started off as an Office Boy, moved on to become a typist, and then a programmer, by grabbing opportunities that came his way. It needs luck too. But only one month is too short a period.

Wish you all the best in whatever you decide. I suggest that you pour your heart out to your MD.

To add further to what Simhan mentioned/suggested, there are a few points in your favor.

1. You are a fresher - so no hang-ups (that come about with some little experience - basic human psychology) or ego issues (at your level, it's easier to ask and learn). It's up to you to choose what you want to be.

2. Like Simhan pointed out, you can utilize your proximity to the MD. Play on your qualifications and interest. However, please don't, repeat don't, give an impression that you want to move to HR to avoid his/this work. After all, the company must have placed you in the position you are in due to some reasons (could be a lack of the right-fit person(s) or anything else). So don't question their wisdom, at least for now. For all you know, you might be given additional charge of HR. Given what you mentioned, you may not be very busy. If yes, harp on this factor - that you want to be busy all the while (this will also help you in your learning process).

3. You haven't mentioned your qualifications - post-graduate can mean anything. If you are an MBA, then there's another career path that can come up: Executive Assistant. This role needs a high-level qualification plus the ability to think out-of-the-box. And to top it off, the ability/comfort level to interact with senior management (both in and out of the company). This is one role that's a mix of many paths, including HR. Usually, only senior persons are assigned such roles. Just give this a thought.

All the best.

Regards, TS

Thank you for your valuable advice. I appreciate the responses given by you. I've completed post-graduation in M.Sc. Operational Research from Delhi University (Hindu College). Yes, only a month's time is not enough to make clear judgments; that's where I stay confused. I want to consider every possible side so that I do not regret the decision later on. Thanks for the advice.

Best Regards,
Priya

If I were you, I would look elsewhere. You will not be productive as long as you are not satisfied with what you are currently doing. Very soon, it will show in your performance, and you may be fired before you know it. Quit now.

Regards,
Kelvin Onwuharine