I am a regional recruitment manager and this is my first HR role. Having
tried to get into recruitment for a year, I jumped at the chance of this
position last Sept-ember, thinking that a company of this size would give me
all the training, support and development I require. Sadly, this has not been
the case, and I am becoming increasingly disillusioned and de-motivated. I am
really keen to move on, but am reluctant as I have less than a year’s
experience, with no chance of a pay rise until October, and no mention of a
well-overdue appraisal. Every time I book a meeting with my manager, he cancels
as something more important crops up. Help!
Doug Knott, senior consultant, Chiumento
Start off with challenging yourself. Are you being unrealistic in terms of your
expectations from your employer? Could this perhaps be the reason why your
manager keeps postponing your meeting? Is there any more you should be doing to
support your own personal and professional development?
Having considered the above points your first approach should be to try to
resolve your current situation. Explain to your boss that your need for a
meeting has become very important. Propose an agenda with your own ideas on the
way forward. If this approach does not work, and your disillusionment and
de-motivation continue to grow, then you need to start looking for an
alternative role. At interviews make sure you clarify the practices of your
prospective employer towards your training and development. This will reduce
the chances of you experiencing current difficulties again.
Peter Sell, joint managing director, DMS Consultancy
It seems from your letter that you feel this has been a poor career move and
I get a sense of a great deal of frustration. You are correct in making the
point that with less than a year’s experience, prospective employers may
question your staying power. Only you can make the decision on whether to stay
or go. If you decide to stay, then the issues need confronting. Your
organisation seems to trust you to work on your own initiative so it seems to
have faith in your ability. If your performance was not up to expectations you
would have had your review by now. The fact both you and your boss are busy has
not helped your situation. You need to tell your boss that his spending time
with you is important.
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Caroline Battson, HR consultant, Macmillan Davies Hodes
As this is your first role in HR and you have only been with this
organisation since last September, try to overcome some of the hurdles before
you decide to leave. The most important focus is to gain as much experience as
possible. The problems you have mentioned are the cause of many employees’
frustrations, but there is no guarantee that if you were to leave you would not
face the same problems again. You must explain these problems to your manager
and you could make a list of the things that would help you in your role. It is
important to make your manager aware of your concerns and ask his advice. If
you are having problems getting commitment from him for a formal appraisal, try
suggesting a coffee and a chat. Use this more informal opportunity to discuss
your concerns and your suggestions to resolve these issues and then gain his
commitment to develop your ideas in a more formal setting.
