You Got a Dream Job, But You Can't Stand Your Colleagues

The only thing you can control is yourself. It would take a few decades before most people grasp the meaning behind it. Alas, time is not a luxury in a professional world.

It's not uncommon to see someone getting a dream job, by sheer luck, effective self-promotion skills or both, and end up unhappy after the probationary period. Blame it on insufferable colleagues. You must not adopt a passive mindset when you deal with this problem. After all, you want long-term satisfaction in what you're doing. Everyone does. You must ask yourself if this would pass. You might be stressed out, thinking too much about a particular instance, involving a particular workmate, without looking at the situation objectively. This calls for a long sleep, also a short holiday. (A long holiday would be possible if you have planned ahead.) And then it's time to face the music.

You got your dream job, but you can't stand your colleagues. You have two options: a new job or a new team.

The first option is your final one, where you accept the situation (or so you think). The second option might seem unfathomable to you, but you're unhappy about where you are. You must do what seems to be achievable, but you can't define it. Yet. It must be high time to bring out a paper and pen.

Clarify Your Thoughts

You must list down the special qualities that make you like this (dream) job. One trait won't be enough, as you're still facing a dilemma. You must have several reasons, if not ten (or more), which is a good sign. You work hard (to get there), so you deserve it. And this is not uncommon. Many professionals let sensibility prevail, if not the fear of chartering unfamiliar territory overcome them. It must not be the case here. You may want to wait and see, as something may come up. (And you change your mind.) On the other hand, these reasons didn't affect your resolve. You should proceed to the next one.

Are you willing to make the move? You must not answer this question hastily, as you should base it on how you foresee your career. Problems are opportunities in disguise, and this might be the stepping stone. If you really think it is, then start planning. (Some employees may have a problem with their workmates, and use this factor as an excuse. It's a good one, and they must not be guilty about it. Bosses would do the same thing.) This is not the case of starting all over again, as you can continue elsewhere. If you put your networking into good use, then the right connections would ensure that you won't make a misstep. It would be great if it turns out to be the case that you envision back then.

There must be another team, in your company, that you can join with. Your current workmates may be boring, self-obsessed and workshy, which are not really good excuses at all. (There may be better reasons, but trivial matters can’t be avoided at times.) You can get to know your colleagues better (and stay in this particular company) for one more year or several years. If the feeling won’t fade at all, then check out the other teams in your company. One or two (teams) may share your values, which doesn't imply that you must update your resume right away. There's no harm in knowing more about them. If it’s not the case, then it must be the greener pasture. You can be in trouble if you don’t study this scenario beforehand. It doesn’t suggest you befriending the colleagues whom you want to be working with. List down your skills, and if it should fit with the other department. Make the necessary adjustment after you drawn your own conclusion.

Change Your Circumstances

It would be sad to see your nonstop complaints about the company. Please be reminded that you’re not a passive participant in this journey. A professional who observes the unwritten rules in office etiquette, if not keep in touch with those who have been in this company, is capable of changing his (or her) circumstances. Anything is possible, even a new client (or superhero).

It’s true that this is a difficult situation, probably no different from your personal issues. The same thing might apply to what you’ve been dealing during your college days, but work could overwhelm you.

Something awaits those who didn’t give up on this one. It can be a brazen move, such as pointing out a workmate for underperformance. It’s your (tough) call. You can’t let circumstances affect you, yet you must know what count more. What you have contributed to the company? What have you shown to your colleagues? What incoming colleagues have learned from you? If you answer the questions with details and conviction, then it won’t be hard to persuade anyone.