What If I’ve Just Started a Job And Don’t Like It?

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You might find that once you start a new job, you just don’t like it. Whether it’s the people, the work, or the company culture. Before hastily looking for another job, you may want to consider these things.

Try to fix the issue

Try to pinpoint exactly why you’re not liking the job. Is it the people? The tasks? Is it not what you were expecting? Once you know, ask yourself whether these can be fixed. If something were to change, would you like the job? Is there a chance it’ll resolve itself over time?

If you think the issue can be fixed, or even if you don’t, talk to your manager to let them know what you’re struggling with. A good manager will support you and try to fix the issue.

Be realistic

There isn’t a single job that’s perfect all the time. It’s important to realise that there will be times where the job is tough, and that may be at the beginning when you have to learn a new business, meet new people and adapt to a new routine. In many ways it can be overwhelming. Remember that this won’t last forever.

If you received a counter offer from your previous employer, remind yourself why you took the job and what benefits it has. Do these outweigh the cons?

Start to put feelers out

If you know the job isn’t right for you and you want to leave, start looking around. It’s a good idea to talk to a recruiter. If you went through a recruiter to find this position, talk to that recruiter and let them know. They’ll help you find another job that is more aligned to what you want, especially considering they’ll know the role you didn’t like.

Evaluate how this can be avoided next time

If you find yourself in this situation, try reflecting on your job seeking process. Are you asking the correct questions in the interview? Are you expressing what you’re looking for clearly enough to your recruiter? Do you have very high expectations? Of course, it may just be that this particular company or role isn’t for you.

If you find that you need to resign, make sure that you resign the right way. The last thing you want to do is burn bridges or tarnish your career.

Knowing why you don’t like the job and being realistic around if it can be fixed or if you need another job will help you navigate what to do if you don’t like your new job.

If you need some advice on your career and are looking for your next career move, reach out to one of our specialist consultants in Architecture & Design, Business Support, Construction, Engineering, Property, Public Sector and Town Planning & Design.