After what felt like an eternity, you landed a new you. It was very exciting, full of promise, until about halfway into the first day, or the first week, or the first month. Then you realized things didn’t quite feel right.
Maybe the dynamic between managers and staff seemed a little off; maybe the job itself just wasn’t what you thought it would be. In any case, you’re wondering if you made a mistake.
Before jumping ship, take a moment to recalibrate and reflect.
Here’s what to do if you’re not enjoying your new job.
Maintain a sense of professionalism.
Whatever you decide to do, you’ll want to keep up a friendly, civil, professional appearance and attitude. Your ability to work in a situation that seems different from what you expected will reflect well on your character and your work ethic, meaning if you decide to look for a different job, there won’t be any bad remarks from your current employer.
Identify what it is that you don’t like or enjoy.
Is it the manager’s style of interacting with employees? Is it the demands of the position? Is it the company’s culture? Take some time to reflect on what issues are causing you stress and a lack of satisfaction and consider whether these hiccups are due to being in a new situation, or if it’s because something is just not sitting right in your gut.
Give it a little time.
Every new job is an adjustment. You need to learn the company, the workflow, the culture and how things function. If it’s a big departure from your previous job, that might make things feel weird or confusing. Give yourself time to learn the job and the job time to make sense to you. A little patience is key.
Talk to your new boss.
After you’ve been in the position a little while, if things still don’t make sense or you’re not feeling like this is what you were told to expect, schedule a meeting with your supervisor. Let them know that you’re feeling a little out of sorts. Be honest that it might just be adjustment jitters, but if there are specific examples you can provide to show how the job in actuality is different from what you thought you were signing up for, now’s the time to mention them. Maybe something changed between when you interviewed and when you started — maybe the job description needed to expand to include more responsibilities, or fewer demands, or other skills altogether. Or maybe this particular job just takes more adjusting to than others and your manager can tell you that you’re doing a good job adapting.
Try to find something enjoyable.
There’s a silver lining to every cloud. If you’re having a rough time, try to find something good, something positive, and focus on that for a few days. Maybe the commute is shorter than your previous job. Maybe there’s a great coffee shop around the corner you like to visit on breaks. Maybe you’ve found a wonderful new friend who helps break the stress. Find one good thing and use that as a reminder, throughout the day, that things aren’t all bleak.
Think of the big picture.
Why did you leave your last job? What were the conditions and working environment like there that made you want to change jobs in the first place? Are those same conditions and stressors in place at the new job? Are you having the same feelings of disappointment, frustration, anxiety, etc., that caused you to dread coming to work in the morning? If the answer is yes, it might be time to consider starting your job search again. If the answer is no, give it a little more time.
Reach out to your contacts.
If things just aren’t turning around and it’s been a month or more, consider your options. Did you leave your last job on good enough footing that they might take you back? Are any of the companies where your friends work hiring, especially if your friend really enjoys working there? Did you turn down any job offers to take this one? See what might be available for you if you decide to leave. Or…
Restart your job search.
If you haven’t been off the job market for a long time, you’ll likely have a freshly revised, up-to-date resume. Use it to apply to other positions. It’s rarely if ever a good idea to quit a job before you have something lined up, unless it’s a truly toxic work environment. Do your best to stay in your current job until you have somewhere to land.
The best of intentions can sometimes still provide less than wonderful results. You tried something new and it didn’t work out. Chalk it up to life experience and keep those warning signs and red flags in mind as you continue to look for a new position.
The good news is, Debbie’s Staffing can help! We work with great companies who are looking for skilled, talented new employees just like you and we’d be delighted to introduce you to a few of them. Contact Debbie’s Staffing today and let’s get to work sorting things out.
