Feeling Stuck in My HR Job: Should I Quit Without a Backup Plan or Keep Searching?

I am an HR professional with over 3 years of experience. I am from Delhi. I got married in 2012 and migrated to Bangalore. After marriage, it took me some time to get settled here, and then I started looking for a suitable HR job for me. I attended around 10 interviews, out of which 2 companies called me, but due to the distance problem, I didn't join there. In my very next interview, I got selected, and since it was near to my place, I joined the company.

Unfortunately, it's going to be the end of the third month, and I am really not enjoying working here. Since the day I joined until now, there is nothing that has improved in this company.

Challenges in the Current Workplace

Coming from IT companies, I have encountered a completely different environment here. Here are some features about my company:

- No female colleagues around, only 1 receptionist (who is also not from the North... :( )
- My manager is not a social person; he rarely interacts with me.
- There isn't a single person around with whom I can talk to freshen up my mind.
- In the past 3 months, there's nothing substantial that I can count on that I have learnt here.
- Every day, I have to search for work to do, as there isn't much.
- In the second half, I keep looking at the clock, waiting for 5:30 to go home.
- About 70% of my time here is spent sitting, searching for HR-related work or reading articles, etc., if I don't have any tasks.
- I feel like an alien here, being from the North while everyone else is from Karnataka.

After experiencing all these challenges in the past 3 months, I truly feel like it's a waste of my time working here. I can't sit idle, doing nothing and then just receive a salary at the end of the month.

Is this fair to myself?

I have updated my CV on job portals but am not receiving many calls. So, friends, can anyone please suggest whether I should quit without having another opportunity lined up or continue working here in these conditions while simultaneously looking for other jobs?

What would be the best solution in this case? Your advice would be very valuable to me. Please guide me, seniors. I am in a great dilemma.

I would suggest you wait until you get an offer before attending any interviews. If you go without a job, many questions will be raised. Gone are the days when employers came to you; now, you have to seek out opportunities by identifying suitable openings through various sources.

I am unsure which sector you are in. There are numerous ways to prove yourself in a new environment. I have a friend who works in the retail sector and faced a similar situation; she is the only female among 150 employees. Despite this, she managed well and has received the Best HR award in the group for implementing various programs and corporate policies over the past two years. Consider if you can make an impact in your workplace through training, stress-relief activities, employee interaction sessions, and more. I am not suggesting only training but engaging in activities that challenge you to think and deliver, providing you with satisfaction. Reflect on this carefully before making a decision. Ultimately, the choice is yours.

End of the day, it's all up to you.

Others have given you the same advice that I would have given: stay in a job and seek other opportunities. Let me give some examples of how others have dealt with similar issues. I know of people who migrated to other parts of the world and within India to places other than their birthplace. People who migrated to Bengal, for example, learned to speak Bengali to converse with the workers and made a success of their jobs. People who migrated to the UK had to learn how to speak slowly and clearly in English.

I know of others who were in a similar situation to yours in terms of not having enough work to keep them occupied for the whole day. One walked about within the organization observing what went on to understand the work situation before coming up with solutions. I know of a lady who started work as a Technician in a college, who did not hesitate to work as a stand-in for a clerk in the Head of Department's office. The HOD recognized her potential and asked her to teach part-time, and eventually, she quit to train as a teacher and became a successful teacher. She was the only Indian lady in an all-male Civil Engineering Department. She was a social animal and mixed with everyone.

As a migrant to the UK who has experienced some of the things you are going through, my advice is to stick with your job, learn how to speak Kannada rather than expect others to speak your language. People will appreciate the effort that you are making and will help you. Whether we enjoy our work or not will depend upon our reaction to the situation. Please read and digest the material at 90/10 Principles of Stephen Covey (link updated to site home) (Search On Cite | Search On Google).

Regards.

You have been in the company for just three months, and three months is a very short time period to judge any job or time period. From your post, I have concluded that you actually only have two issues.

Adjustment Problems and Workforce Diversity

You are experiencing adjustment problems, and you are struggling with workforce diversity. When it comes to jobs and careers, we have to bear many things to steer our career path towards success. Your problems can be solved by taking simple measures.

For communicating with others in your office, you have received a good suggestion from Nashbramhall.

Gender Differences and Work Environment

Regarding not having female colleagues, I have only one suggestion for you. If you have left your home to pursue a career and work, then you should try to overlook gender differences to some extent; otherwise, you may find it challenging to navigate in a male-dominated society.

Workload and Learning Opportunities

Regarding not having much work: You are new, which is why you do not have a heavy workload yet. Over time, you will be assigned assignments. In the meantime, try to observe the work environment at your office, learn work procedures, and understand how other employees keep themselves busy.

Considering Leaving the Job

Concerning your last problem of considering leaving this job: You mentioned that you are not even receiving interview calls. In this case, what is the point of leaving this job? It is advisable to start searching for a new job while keeping this one in hand.

Regards.