There is arguably nothing more comfortable than the urge to leave a new job. However, if you’re feeling this way, know that you are not alone. According to the 2018 Job Seeker Nation Study from Jobvite, roughly 30% of the new employees surveyed quit their jobs within the first 90 days.
According to those former employees, their top three reasons for quitting were as follows:
The new job failed to meet their expectations based on the job description or subsequent interview process (43%).
A single incident made them quit (34%).
The company culture made them quit (32%).
While the pandemic has shaken the job market to the point that employees have the upper hand and the need to stick it out in a tough situation really doesn’t apply in most situations, you should step back and take a deep breath before pulling the plug on your new job.
It’s natural to feel out of place at first, and it can sometimes take months to feel comfortable in your new job and with your new colleagues. If you’re just starting out in your career, it’s common to experience first-job blues.
By the same token, you should trust your inner voice if something is amiss.
This article addresses three scenarios where it is definitely not too soon for you to leave that new job.
YOU’VE ENTERED INTO A TOXIC WORK ENVIRONMENT.
Nothing drives employees from a job faster than exposure to a toxic working environment. Based on information found in a new survey from FlexJobs, one of the top reasons employees surveyed left their jobs was a “toxic work culture” experience.
It’s one thing to have a “difficult” boss, but dealing with a truly toxic boss is quite another thing.
Some bosses can be micromanagers, poor communicators, or impulsive. Maybe their particular style of management doesn’t align with your work ethic. That’s what a difficult boss looks like.
A boss who is abusive, screams, shouts, or dehumanizes others is a toxic individual, and no one should be subject to that behavior. If a boss, manager, or colleague behaves in that way, particularly with impunity, there’s a chance you’ve found yourself in an overall culture of toxicity.
Once you have recognized this toxicity, it’s wise to plan your exit. The longer that you stay in that environment, the more negative impact it will have on your mental health and physical well-being, and, believe it or not, the more difficult it will be to leave.
YOUR NEW JOB IS RADICALLY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WAS OUTLINED IN THE JOB INTERVIEW.
Don’t wait for the circumstance to improve, especially if that job reality is radically different from what was presented by hiring managers or recruiters. If that happens, there’s a good chance that there will be no new learning opportunities in your future, no chance for upward mobility no career goal alignment.
If there’s a mismatch, but you believe that flexibility exists, discuss the situation with managers and colleagues, but avoid putting some sort of undue pressure on your career by staying in with an employer that’s not suitable.
A BETTER JOB OFFER COMES YOUR WAY.
If the job of your dreams comes along not long after you have started your new job, you’ll want to step back and reflect. Ask yourself, is this new opportunity better for your career goals? Whether you’ve been at your new job for two days or two months, if this new job offer is truly a dream come true, you owe it to yourself to consider it.
QUITTING TOO SOON: THE DOWNSIDE
Having too many “less than a year” jobs on your job resume may not be the best look when presenting yourself to prospective employers. It’s not the end of the world, however.
The best way to handle too many short stints on your resume is to practice rigorous honesty in your job interview. If you left your previous employer because of a mismatch in the job description, be candid about it. If you quit because of a toxic environment, be clear about that.
On the other hand, you might be dealing with the guilt of leaving a relatively new employer for a better job. But experts say that’s normal.
YOU’RE IN CONTROL
At the end of the day, your new boss, the new company you work for, your friends, and your family are not the ones who are in control. When it comes to your career, you are the one who is firmly planted in the driver’s seat.
If you truly feel that your new job isn’t right for you, your career, or your personal well-being, take that feeling seriously, even in the early days and months of being in your brand new job.