Regretting Your Job Change? Here's Your Guide
Contemplating career remorse after a job shift: Here's the game plan.
Changing jobs can be exhilarating and daunting all at once. But what do you do when the excitement fades, and you find yourself wishing for the good old days? It's not uncommon to experience regret after a job change, even after careful consideration. So, should you stick it out or cut your losses? Let's dive in and figure it out together.
First off, give the new job a chance. You might be feeling overwhelmed due to adjustment stress, and it takes time to settle in. If you're still feeling off-kilter after a few weeks, take a close look at the situation. A good rule of thumb is to give the new job a trial run of three to six months to get a realistic picture.
Now, don't fall into the trap of idealizing your previous job. New impressions can mix with uncertainties and high expectations, painting a rosy picture that may not accurately reflect reality. Instead, compare both jobs based on specific criteria. Are there areas where the new job truly surpasses your old one?
If you've made a bad start in your new job, don't fret. Use your own leeway to improve the situation. Open communication with your manager can lead to clearer projects, a more flexible task distribution, or the addition of a mentor or mentee to help you navigate the waters. Building relationships within your team and setting small, attainable goals also helps you feel more comfortable.
Recognizing warning signs is crucial. If you're feeling persistently exhausted, despite a reasonable induction period, this could be a red flag. Other potential issues include disappointed expectations, lack of growth opportunities, or dissonance with personal values.
If efforts to improve the situation are fruitless, consider internal job changes or returning to your former employer, provided the role aligns with your growth and doesn't fall into old patterns. Remember, a change of jobs conveys valuable insights about your strengths, weaknesses, and needs, helping you make more strategic career decisions in the long run.
Lastly, be kind to yourself. A job change that doesn't go as planned is not a failure. Instead, it's a learning experience that will help you evolve professionally. List the lessons learned, and make those insights a guide for future job decisions.
So, take a deep breath, reflect, and explore your options. With patience, persistence, and a dash of self-compassion, you'll find your way to professional happiness.
Interesting Insights:
- Regret after a job change is a common experience, affecting 32% of people, according to a survey by Monster.
- Career transitions often involve a mix of excitement and uncertainties, leading to a comparison that might idealize the old job.
- Persistent exhaustion, lack of growth opportunities, and dissonance with personal values are warning signs that it might be time to leave.
- Career changes provide valuable insights about one's strengths, weaknesses, and needs, helping in making more strategic career decisions.
- A change diary can help you track your energy levels and current mood at work, providing a clear picture after 90 days.
- Returning to a former employer after a job change is not as rare as it seems, provided the role aligns with growth and doesn't fall into old patterns.
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- To avoid regret after a job change, take the time to give the new position a fair chance and compare it to your previous job based on specific criteria.
- Utilize self-development resources, such as education and personal growth programs, to enhance your skills and personal well-being during the adjustment period at your new workplace.
- When facing issues in a new job, take advantage of workplace-wellness initiatives or seek assistance from management, peers, or mentors for improved career development and increased job satisfaction.
