Ask a Mentor: Not Loving the New Job After All

Compiled and edited by Julie Tereshchuk.

“Dear Mentors, I’m a mid-level communicator who put a lot of due diligence into making my recent career move. It seemed perfect… but I hate it! How long do I have to tough it out for without seeming skittish? And what can I do to avoid making another bad move?”

Give yourself a year in the new position before jumping ship. Meanwhile, keep your hand in what you were doing before if it’s what you’d like to go back to by volunteering your time and expertise in that area with a nonprofit or other group. That way you can show some continuity in the field you want to return to. I’d suggest you visit with a career counselor to get clear about your desires and strengths and how they two can mesh before you make another big move. Angela Loeb in Austin is a great resource. I’ve used her and recommend her!

– Liz Carmack

I would suggest staying with your current employer for at least one year if there are redeeming aspects to the position and/or company. It can take some time to find your way in a new position and with a new company, so give it a chance. I would say give it six months at the very least so that it doesn’t raise red flags on your resume. That said, if you find it unbearable, don’t feel comfortable with things the company or co-workers are doing, or report to a boss who makes you want to scream and cry at the same time every day, then get out of there as soon as you can. When reviewing applicants, I like to see they have been with an employer for at least a year, but I don’t worry too much about one short stint somewhere. I only become concerned if I see that has happened multiple times.

Take the time to figure out what specifically caused you to hate the job so you know what questions to ask in advance next time and what to avoid. You can also do your research to try to find people who worked there before or worked with people who you would be working with, to learn more about those people and the company. If it is the actual work itself that you don’t like, you might want to question if you are really pursuing the right types of jobs and work with a career or life coach to help you identify what types of jobs truly are the best fit for you.

– Erin Huddleston