Getting your first job at the NHS can be heady, especially if you are an international graduate in the UK. The working conditions look great, and a relatively good salary and paid vacations complete the deal. When you resume, your colleagues all look friendly, and there is a fine mix of people from different cultures you can quickly befriend. So, you buckle up and promptly get to work, hoping to feel the expected satisfaction.
Oops! You dislike the job. Or maybe you just do not feel fulfilled. Now you want to leave or perhaps try a different role. Or maybe it is the specialty that is the problem? Or the city? Whatever the reason, it is okay to change jobs. You can even change careers, and it is never too late to do so. No one should or would judge you for leaving if you have to. The bottom line is to ensure you pursue your personal development and goals. I always tell people to ensure they leave for the right reasons and leave on a good note.
But Before You Change?
There are a few things you need to consider before deciding to jump ship. Sometimes, a little introspection can ensure that you make the right decisions. Are you leaving because you felt unsupported and didn't get on with the team?
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Ask For Help
Have you asked for help? You can always speak to your supervisor about issues at work; there are solutions to most problems. Some units might have a counselling department; ensure to utilise it as it can be pretty helpful. Don't forget to put yourself in the picture. Are you the problem? Are you isolating yourself from the rest of the team? Sometimes you may find that the solution to such issues is that you just need to smile more. However, you can get help if you find it challenging to adapt to a new culture; running away may not always solve the problem. Remember, the grass is not always greener on the other side. Be sure that you are changing jobs for the right reasons.
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Make A List
List out all the reasons why you dislike your current job and ensure that your next job does not have those same problems. Ask questions and visit the hospital before you sign your next contract. If possible, do a few Locum sessions with them to feel the team and work environment. You may not have gotten it right the first time, so the next time has to be better.
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Negotiate And Evaluate
Negotiate your salary with any potential employer, and this goes without saying. However, remember that a higher salary does not always mean job satisfaction, so there are a few things you should look out for. Ensure that your new role will provide adequate study and annual leaves. In addition, you want to be sure that your new role has an excellent work/life balance. An ideal work-life balance is vital if you have family or need that extra time to integrate properly into the system.
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Leave On A Good Note
Leaving a job does not have to be a painful experience. You do not want to create enemies even if your former colleagues were not exactly pleasant to you. The career world tends to grow small as you go along, and you never can tell who knows who and in what circles your name might come up. Your next job will need a reference letter, and you want to ensure that you only get glowing reviews from your previous job(s). In addition, you might meet your former colleagues at your new job and do not want damaging reports from them. Furthermore, you can send a thank you note to your former colleagues, teammates, or supervisor.
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Stay In Touch
A higher role in the future, conferences, or better opportunities are just some of the things that might lead you back to your former colleagues or employers. Therefore, it is advisable to stay in touch. Keep in touch with old friends. You can send casual or friendly emails to stay in touch. Religious and public holidays are other reasons to send greeting cards or emails to maintain friendships.
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Remember Your Experience
Growing up, my older brother used to play video games a lot. From one of the fighting games he played, I remember a quote “There Is No Knowledge That Is Not Power.” Every knowledge you acquire at your job helps to shape your career. Even if your previous experience was not pleasant, you might at least learn a thing or two about what not to do at your next job. Learning from those experiences can help improve the situation at your new job and help you integrate better and create better experiences.
Final Words
In conclusion, changing jobs does not have to be a bad experience. People change jobs every day in search of better pay or better working conditions. Other people change simply because they want to be closer to friends and family or for logistics purposes. Whatever your situation, do not be afraid to take the leap as long as you are satisfied. Ultimately, being happy is the goal, and if getting a new job is what does it for you, then, by all means, change that job today.
If you need to talk to someone about your current situation or want to change jobs, do not forget that you can always book a one-on-one session, and I will be happy to talk about your situation.
Best wishes
Dr Mute’