In April, I transferred from a job on the production floor of the factory, where I work to customer service. At the time, I thought this would be a great move for me. More challenge, more money, slightly more prestige, a chance to gain new skills and use skills I had in previous jobs, and, besides, the company president is always saying we need to embrace change, blah, blah, blah. I had my old job for over six years.
Well, three months later, and this new job is kicking my ass. I just can’t keep up with everything they expect us to do. I’m starting to see some anxiety issues creep up that had plagued me in the past. I really do not want to have to go back on prescriptions, etc. I’m tired of feeling stupid all the time and having customers think I’m a major ditz. I make a lot of mistakes. I have to concentrate so much on navigating the various computer systems from hell to place an order or create a quote that I’m completely thrown for a loop when the customers call in and ask questions.
I thought I was maybe starting to catch on, but after I took a week’s vacation over the 4th, I found I was drowning in work. I guess I’ve heard other people in office jobs complain about that, but I’ve never had it happen to me to nearly this extent before. So, I put in several hours of overtime and got the pile down. However, by the end of the week, it’s piled up again and coworkers and customers are asking me where their quotes are, have their orders been placed, etc. Come the weekend, and here I am at home, stressing about it. I can feel my blood pressure rising.
My old boss did tell me that if it didn’t work out, she would take me back. I’m wondering if this is the right move for me. It’s not that my old job was stress-free, but we had a strategy for prioritizing and handling the workload, and I had a lot of experience. I also know that my old coworkers are struggling without me. I wonder if I gave myself time to gain the experience at my new job if things would get better. On the other hand, is the time that would take worth the health issues that it seems to be causing? I know I’m probably being too hard on myself, but this is how I feel. I feel like I have been thrown into the deep end in order to learn how to swim.
I haven’t had a chance to talk to my new boss about the workload, since she was on vacation last week.
Am I doomed to be smart enough for higher-level jobs but unable to handle the stress? I feel like such a princess and a failure. I’ve scanned the Internet for other jobs, and, as we all know, there aren’t too many. A few I would certainly try for if I were unemployed, but it would be a significant pay cut, even from my old job.
If I do go back, do I even mention this job on my resume? Both jobs are with the same company.
I’m mad at myself for moving my own goddamn cheese and much more sympathetic to the people who have worked at the company a long time and are reeling from the extensive changes from the past five years or so. I also know that this move could put me on the short layoff list, but I’m not so sure that bothers me at this point. At least not today.