There is nothing more nerve racking than having “buyer’s remorse” when it comes to your new job. There are many reasons as to why you might be thinking about quitting a new job. Maybe the job doesn’t seem to match up to the way they described it to you in the interview process. Maybe you are unsure about the people you are working with now.
Over the years I have worked with candidates from time to time who were unsure about their new position in the first 90 days of employment. I am going to walk you through some tips I shared with them. Hopefully, these pointers can be a help to you.
How to Quit a Job You Just Started
1. Make sure it is not just an emotional decision. We often minimize the emotional toll we can go through when changing jobs. This is especially true when the last job we left was a good experience. You may have developed some real friendships while you were there. Maybe your supervisor was good for you. Anytime we leave a job there are both compelling and constraining reasons for doing so. People do not always leave a job that they hate.
2. Try to understand the situation better. It is important that before you make a rash decision, you evaluate your situation a bit more with solid facts. Is this a short-term feeling from being in a new environment? What are some of the main contributing factors to why you want to quit? Are your strengths not being fully utilized? Are you a bit on overwhelm because you are learning new systems on top of trying to do your job? Before you take the leap, do some evaluation.
3. Always develop an exit strategy before quitting. It is always a bad idea to just quit your job without a plan for finding a new one. You will have to explain that to new potential employers. Most will not be happy to hire someone that will just quit without a two weeks notice and another job lined up.
Most career professionals and job search experts will tell you that it is easier to look for a job when you already have one. Also, reach out to a few recruiters who can be the eyes and ears for you while you spend your day working.
My personal opinion is that you need to give it at least 90 days before you try to make a move if possible. The only exception is if you are being asked to do something illegal. The 90 day test will help you to know whether this is a short term feeling or a permanent one.
