Is it wrong to quit a boring job after a few months?

Recently I took on a role I thought was going to be really challenging. It is now three months since I reported for duty but I find the role so simple and boring. Is it too soon to start looking for another job? Clare

Dear Clare,
There is no job that is too challenging. With the right skills, experience and attitude, and if the organisation facilitates the induction of new employees so that they can get acquainted with their role and the culture of the organisation, most employees will succeed. For this, many companies specify a fixed probation period to give new employees time to settle in their roles. It is good that you find the role easy. You should see this as an advantage. Don’t compare yourself with others. I assume that you are able to execute your role with ease because you have all the requirements for the job, and the right attitude.

But could it be that you applied for a role that is beneath your academic qualifications and work experience? Please interrogate this, because if so, you should start searching for a more challenging and suitable role that is worth your while. What is your job description? Are there responsibilities that are not indicated in that document that you feel should be included? It would be prudent to discuss this with your supervisor to find out if it is OK to add more responsibilities. And if the role is well within your capabilities, what measures are you using to gauge your performance? I assume you had agreed on your targets during the recruitment process.

Have a discussion with your supervisor and seek their opinion on whether you are meeting the pre-set targets for the role or not. If your line manager confirms that you are meeting your targets, you can ask for extra responsibilities so that you don’t get bored doing repetitive tasks.

Jane Muiruri
Senior HR Manager
Nation Media Group
[email protected]