Quitting your job is not the easiest thing to do, whether this is due to unforeseen or maybe even unpleasant circumstances. According to a recent study, 72% of young workers say they’ve regretted a new job after starting.
And one of the main reasons why people leave is because their overall experience of the work ends up not being what they expected.
Attitudes around leaving a bad job, even after a short period of time, are changing.
Employees are standing up for what they want and are willing to leave if employers are not ready to provide it.
So is it okay to quit your job after a month?
Deciding whether or not to quit a job is a personal choice that depends on various factors. While it is generally advisable to stay in a job for a reasonable period of time to gain experience and build a stable work history, there may be valid reasons for leaving a job after just one month. For example, if your new job within a short amount of time is already negatively impacting your mental health, it might be time to start planning your exit. But there is really no right or wrong when it comes to quitting your job after a month.
The role of hiring managers
Being too desperate to leave your job for a new role can cause you to ignore serious red flags during the interview and hiring process. It’s important to know that hiring managers can sometimes actually be desperate to fulfil a position too, which can cause them to overpromise and maybe even exaggerate when it comes to the company culture and role. Hiring managers essentially also have the responsibility to be open and honest about what to expect to avoid disappointment after accepting the role.
So, if you’re reading this article, you’ve probably left or are planning to leave your new job. Again this is not something to feel bad about as it’s a personal choice. However, you do need to be mindful that you can’t just leave every single new job after a month. It’s important to recognise your own role in this so you can avoid making the same mistakes in the future.
Here are a few common mistakes you probably made and will need to avoid:
Mistake #1 – Not being specific about the kind of job (environment) you want
It’s important you have a clear picture of what you are looking for in a job. What would you like to do? How would you like to execute your work? And what does your ideal job description look like? Not only is this necessary when it comes to the job role, but also when it comes to other important factors that influence your work such as:
- Your work environment
- An informal or formal work culture
- An open and learning environment
- The kind of boss/manager you are looking for
Mistake #2 – Not knowing the importance of conducting company research
Be intentional about finding out whether the organisation is the right fit for you. In order to form an honest opinion about the company, you’ll need to spend time conducting thorough company research. What do they say about their business and most importantly, what do former and current employees say about them? With free company review websites like Glassdoor and Indeed, you can easily find out the experiences of other employees and use that to make an informed decision.
Mistake #3 – Being too desperate because you need a job
Often we settle for a job thinking that once we get in we can maybe change the things we initially feel uncomfortable about. However, in order to avoid picking the wrong job, you might need to be strategic about this. What kind of job will lead you to achieve your goal? Also, when choosing a job it’s actually okay to be picky. No matter how desperate you think you are… You are not!
Think about it…. Before an employer hires you, they consider whether your experience is beneficial for the growth of their business. However, do you consider whether the company is beneficial for your own personal growth? Finding the right job is not a one-way street. It’s not all about you impressing the employers, they need to impress you too.
Mistake #4 – Not being aware of empty work promises
Ending up in a not-so-pleasant job situation could probably be quite equivalent to being in a bad relationship. Have you ever found yourself fighting for things you were promised before taking on the job role? Yep, those are empty work promises.
Truth is, some employers can actually be desperate too. And in order to get you to join their team, they might be quick to make promises they can’t keep. Never assume anything. Always make sure you ask and if possible have it in writing too! And in the end, if it looks and feels too good to be true, chances are it probably is.
Mistake #5 – Ignoring your instincts
Maybe this should have been the first point because your gut instinct will always guide you to make the right decisions. If you feel that there’s something off about a job, the company or the employer, don’t ignore those feelings. Also, the company and job role might actually be exactly what you’re looking for. But if for some reason it just doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it – Trust your instincts.
