I work for a nonprofit law firm, and I used to enjoy working with them because my co-workers were easy to get along with, and I felt like my work was meaningful. I wasn’t just filling the pockets of some rich guy who wanted more money, I was helping low-income people in the right direction to obtain an attorney when no one else could help them.
Ever since new upper management took over, things only went downhill from here. More than half of our staff is gone ever since our new managing attorney showed up, yet she still insists on blaming us instead of taking responsibility.
My new manager has loathed me (and my co-workers) since day one. She’s constantly looking for small non-issues to blow out of porportion and act like they’re a big deal.
I already know I’m getting fired. They haven’t told me, but it’s obvious they want me gone. They put me on probation because I “followed the directions of my old supervisors, and my new one didn’t like it”. Whenever I express my concerns, she plays the “Nuh uh, I don’t wanna hear it!” card.
Where am I supposed to go from here? I wouldn’t mind making less money than I currently make, which is $43,000 per year.
Make sure? Impossible.
All jobs are an experiment and a guess. Interviewers are often on their best behavior, just like candidates are. There is no way to know. Hope for the best and be ready to leave, to the best of your ability.
I’m really very sorry that the situation isn’t better for you. I believe I’m facing similar issues.
Good luck. Peace.
How many times have you changed jobs?
My first Adult Job (not a teenager job) lasted 4 years and ended in 2001. After that I became a freelancer. Since then, the longest gig I’ve had is 11 weeks or 1-2 weeks every 4-6 weeks for about 4 years. Otherwise, I have worked with clients 2 hours to 5 days at a time.
I got away with that for 25 years and now I’m struggling to figure out what happens next.
Sounds quite fun. You were able to live off of freelancing, too? Not to mention, shorter gigs means more skills for your resume and more connections!
How were you able to get your start freelancing?
It has its moments, but it also led to significant terror every year, wondering whether this would be the last year people would hire me.
I started accidentally. I stockpiled cash from my IBM job, then I wrote some things about a topic that was becoming popular. Then people noticed me. Since I didn’t have to settle for another crappy job, I could take a chance on doing a few gigs that paid good money.
Two years later, somebody identified me as The Person to write The Next Book on that topic. And then a few influential people amplified me.
And then a few more.
That was the luck I needed.