Estimated Read Time: 4 minutes

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You did your research and felt sure you’d landed the perfect job. But, as the weeks tick by, you’re beginning to wonder if you made a big mistake.

Job mobility is high right now, and there is a lot of movement in the jobs market. During the year ending February 2023, 2.3 million people (or 9.5% of employed people) left or lost their jobs, the second year in a row of the highest annual job mobility rate since 2012. Further to this, the share of job mobility remained highest for Professionals, at 24% of those who changed jobs.

Research conducted by Robert Half in November 2023 surveying 500 hiring managers found 35% of employers cite employees leaving their organisation to move to a different field or occupation.

Nicole Gorton, workplace expert and director at Robert Half says, "people change roles as a result of a variety of reasons including relocating, changing career paths, wanting a higher salary, searching for better job content, more work-life balance, and the list goes on. Not liking a new job right off the bat is not uncommon - changing workplaces is a big shift for any worker and requires time to assimilate, learn the ropes and become familiar with colleagues to build an enjoyable experience. But sometimes, even with time, people can feel like they have made the wrong decision. Luckily, there are actions you can take to alleviate these feelings, which occasionally involves leaving the job."

Perhaps the role you just started is not what you expected. Maybe there’s some friction within the team that overshadows what you love about the job. Or you’ve discovered an element of the company that doesn’t sit well with you.

But rushing to quit might not be the best move – professionally or financially.

Instead, if you’re wondering what to do if you don’t like your new job, read our six practical steps for making an informed decision.

6 practical strategies to follow if you don’t like your new job

1. Get to the bottom of what isn’t working

The first step is to figure out exactly why you hate this job.

Unfortunately, no matter how much research you may have done, there are a number of factors that separate expectation and reality when taking on a new role.

• Are the work hours terrible?
• Are your manager’s expectations unreasonable?
• Are there company policies or people who make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe?

The clearer you can be about what you don’t like, the better the chances you'll be able to fix it – or move on to a new job that suits you better.

Related: Need some help with your career planning? Read our tips on setting and achieving your career goals.

2. Determine whether the situation could change

Now think about whether these issues are temporary or structural.

Might those long hours you hate be a thing of the past when this project finishes up next month? Or have you started to notice signs of a toxic culture and untrustworthy leadership?

Since some issues will improve or disappear with time, riding these out is generally a better option than making a hasty exit.

3. Meet with your manager

It might be the last thing you want to do if you're thinking "I don't like my new job", but your employer will appreciate you being upfront with them. After all, replacing you will be costly for the company – both in time and money.

Set up a meeting with your manager to explore options and solutions that will improve your job. But don’t expect them to have all the answers.

Instead, go in prepared with an action plan. For example:

• Don’t like the work? - Ask for more challenging projects or other tasks you could take on.
• Struggling with a lack of support? - Be honest about how you’re feeling and ask for the level of communication you need.
• Skill gap causing you distress? - Request development opportunities to help you upskill to perform your role to the highest standard.

4. Set a realistic timeframe

An important part of your action plan is deciding how soon you need to act and how long it might take to see improvements.

But remember to be realistic.

Decide on a timeline that allows you to fully settle into your job and act on any changes you’ve arranged with your employer. It’s also a good idea to meet regularly with your manager and spend time getting to know your co-workers.

Then, once your timeframe is up, you’ll be in a great position to make an informed decision about whether you should stay or go.

5. Keep your employment options open

Even before you make a final decision, it’s worth keeping your resume up to date and continuing your networking efforts.

Perhaps another department in the same company might be a better fit for you? Or tap your internal networks for recommendations, or reach out to your previous employer.

But don’t let your desire to quit push you into another role that might also be a bad fit.

The reality is there are risks with both staying and leaving. Staying in a job you hate could affect your health and wellbeing, while potential employers might consider you an unreliable candidate if you show a pattern of job hopping.

Related: Discover how to resign from your job while maintaining your professional reputation.

6. Take the next step with care

Once you’ve done all you can to make your job the best it can be, and your timeframe is up, it’s time to make a final decision.

Whatever you decide, don’t act hastily.

Whether you choose to leave now, in six months, or after a few years, think about how you approached your job search.

Did you take some time to research the company and its culture? Did you ask enough questions during the interview process to make sure it’d be a good fit? Or did you rush in without much thought or due diligence?

If you're still thinking, "I don't like my new job" and you indeed decide to leave the job you are in, it is important to take the opportunity to learn how you can avoid starting another role that results in similar dissatisfaction.

What to do to find a job you like:

1. Reflect on what made you hate your job

To avoid going into a job with the same issues as your previous role, reflect on what it was that drove you to resign. Whether it was the extended hours, the location, the pay or the benefits, you know what to look out for when evaluating new job opportunities online or during interviews.

2. Ask targeting questions during the interview

If you think you have found a job you like and your application to the job ad resulted in the interview phase, ask specific questions around the bad elements of your previous job you want to rule out.

You could ask things like:

• "What are the expectations to work beyond 5pm?"
• "How many days of the week are required to be in the office?"
• "Can you walk me through the potential career development opportunities I will have if I join the company?"
• "How do you benchmark salaries and does your remuneration policy adapt in line with economic and market shifts?"

By asking targeted questions, you can direct answers to the area of concern that caused you to hate your previous job.

3. Identify your core values and what you want

At the same time as knowing what you DON'T want in your new role, it is just as imperative to identify what you DO want. It requires you to pinpoint what truly matters to you in a work environment. Is it the ability to collaborate with your colleagues in the office, rapid career development opportunities, the ability to work overseas or the alignment of your core values and beliefs to that of the business?

Whatever it is, use the search functions on job boards and career sites to find jobs that include the elements you desire.

4. Use the 'trial period' mentality

Most companies have unofficial probation periods which serve the purposes of your new employer to evaluate fit, performance, mitigate risk, and facilitate training and development.

So while you are being assessed by the company, utilise this time for YOU to assess the company. Take the same approach as the business is taking on you. Ask yourself:

• Do I feel supported in this job?
• Do I feel like I can fit into the corporate culture here?
• Have I been equipped with the resources to allow me to perform my job to the highest standard?
• Are there any resistance to change if I make a suggestion?

Navigate the probation period in a way that answers any outstanding areas of concern you may have once you commence the role. It is a time for you to be flexible and decide whether the company is the right for for you (while they decide if you are the right fit for them).

If by the end of the period you don't have the answers you need to continue in the job, you can discuss with your manager to get them resolved, or you can decide to leave.

How to manage the emotional impact of leaving a disappointing job

Don't underestimate the emotional impact of leaving a job you don't like. It can be a mixture of relief and uncertainty, reassurance and fear which can make the emotional impact on you quite complex.

In order to return to the right state of mind before recommencing your job search or bringing up your concerns with your manager, acknowledge and process your feelings. Allow yourself to feel the frustration, sadness or disappointment about the job. This will allow you to process your feelings in a healthy way. Consider outlets like journaling, speaking to friends, family or a professional about how you are feeling. 

When asking yourself what to do if you don't like your new job, focus on the positives. Whether you decided to leave or spoke to your manager to rectify the problems, celebrate your decision. Acknowledge that you took control of what was making you hate your job and regained the opportunity to thrive in this job or a new one.

The bottom line on being stuck in a job you hate

Don’t put up with feeling trapped and powerless. Follow these strategies on what to do if you don’t like your new job so you feel confident in your final decision.

Remember, no job is perfect. But you do deserve to be happy in your role.

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