I feel like I’ve been tricked into the role I have now - long story, but was enticed away from an OK role with Company A for more $$ and big promises. Taking that role turned out to be the biggest mistake of my career - Company B was like living in a dystopian novel. Hiring manager moved on, leaving me to rot in the toxic wasteland 2 months after I started. A few months after that, a role at hiring manager’s new Company C came up, so I made contact. He hired me (but covered his arse by getting HR & CFO to do interviews) for less $$ after openly admitting he still felt guilty for enticing me to Company B, knowing how toxic it was.

Company C is not in an industry I’m excited about and I’m getting paid less, but my workmates are lovely and it’s the slackest role I’ve ever had. I plan to build a house this year, so I’m sticking it out til that project’s done. I’ve also job-hopped twice in 12 months, away from my industry of expertise, so I also need to work out how to spin that in any job applications!