I joined a well known tech firm and was thrilled, but the job is way more than I can cope with. Everyone works flat out, and I’m not getting any help from my manager, who said this is a “hustle culture” and I should expect it to be fast-paced. I’m getting seriously depressed but I’m worried that leaving would be a bad look. What can I do?
Sounds like you need to boost the caffeine consumption to up your metabolism, or find a new gig sooner rather than later so that your health doesn’t suffer further.
As long as you don’t have a track record of quick job-hopping, you’re safe when bailing quickly on a new gig.
Depending on how short the tenure has been, you can even leave it off your resume if it doesn’t create a significant gap.
Or, just say to a new employer that too much about the job was not what you expected and you felt it was better to leave quickly than waste their time and yours, without saying “they all worked too hard” and sounding as if you don’t.
But, before you leave, make sure that what you are experiencing is the norm and not just an intense period — like, accountants in tax season.
I’m doing a summer internship and have been given a mentor, but I’m not sure what to ask her. I don’t want to sound dumb, or smarmy. What’s the best approach?
You’re an intern — you’re expected to ask dumb questions.
The good news is that the only thing that is dumb is being afraid to ask anything.
You’re not even supposed to know how to work with a mentor — that’s why you have one — they are supposed to coach you on everything career-related, including how to be mentored. Be fearless and tell your mentor that you want to make the most of the experience and don’t want to waste their time.
Ask what can you do to make the experience worthwhile for them.
Enquire about what you should be asking. What kind of research should you be doing? Those are great things to say.
If you get stuck, ask people to talk about themselves. How did they get started? What do they know now that they wished they knew when they were interns? Good luck, newbie.
Gregory Giangrande has over 25 years of experience as a chief human resources executive. Hear Greg Wed. at 9:35 a.m. on iHeartRadio 710 WOR with Len Berman and Michael Riedel. Email: GoToGreg@NYPost.com. Follow: GoToGreg.com and on Twitter: @GregGiangrande