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21 April 2021
Each week, Dr Kirstin Ferguson tackles questions on the workplace, career and leadership in her advice column “Got a minute?” This week, managing conversations before resignations, finding work as a migrant, and dealing with a cruisy colleague who won’t listen to females.
It sounds like you have been a loyal employee for many years and so you deserve to now do what you want to do. I would arrange to meet with your bosses as soon as you feel ready and explain your decision. You might like to let your bosses know how much you have enjoyed your time with the company but that at this stage in your career you plan on exploring a new challenge and are still working through what that might look like.
While they may be naturally disappointed to lose you, I am sure your bosses will be understanding and will be grateful for you to provide them with as much notice as possible. Assuming you are not planning to work for a direct competitor, my guess is that they will be keen to draw on your experience and expertise to help train your successor.
After that, the world is your oyster! You seem to have many different options to consider and that is a privilege to grab with both hands. Good luck!
I am sorry to hear this has been your experience and sadly it is one all too familiar for migrants to Australia. New research from the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) shows that nearly one quarter of Australia’s skilled migrants are working in jobs below their qualification level. It sounds as though your skill set is one that the right employers would be excited to learn more about, but unconscious and conscious biases may be preventing you from being discovered.
Regarding your query about how to explain your change in career, the best way to do that would be to use a cover letter and be as honest as possible. I would be sure to include your previous experience as well to demonstrate the breadth of skills you have. While they may not be directly related to an accounting career, it shows you have the intellect and capacity to learn, work hard and apply yourself to any career. Good luck!
I am exhausted just thinking about your situation – there is nothing more demotivating in the workplace than colleagues who don’t pull their weight and are then held to account. And to then not accept advice because you are a woman, enough!
Given you have already spoken to your boss and they don’t seem to do anything, there seem to be some major cultural issues at play. If this is happening in your team, it is probably happening elsewhere as well.
While not the easiest advice to give, the bottom line may be that you find another place to work. Unless your boss is prepared to act, you are right, nothing will change.
Send your questions about work, careers and leadership to contact@kirstinferguson.com. Your name and any identifying information will not be used. Letters may be edited.