How to Leave a Job You Just Started (+ Reasons)

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Leaving a job is never an easy decision to make. You have to rebuild your professional reputation, and you have to find another job. 

That’s especially true if you’re planning on leaving a job you just started.

If you’ve already gotten to the point where you’ve said to yourself “I want to quit my new job” then it’s time to start thinking about your future and create a plan for leaving your position.

If there are extenuating circumstances that led to your resignation (e.g., you had a falling out with your boss or the company was toxic), then you’ll want to soften the blow when you leave unexpectedly without burning bridges. 

It will also be essential to ensure you have a new job ready for you when you end your current employment. By using a free online resume builder, you can be properly prepared for a quick job search if needed. 

Here’s what you need to know about leaving a new job and how to resign from your new job as professionally as possible.

Reasons to Quit a New Job

While you may not want to abandon your position so quickly, it may be best to leave.

Feeling uncertainty when starting a new job is actually not all that uncommon. Up to 72% of millennial and Gen Z employees had a sense of regret or surprise after starting a new position.

These feelings can lead to quitting the new role quickly. In fact, there are a few common reasons to quit a job you just started, here are some examples:

You are unhappy

You’re unhappy with the job itself. Maybe it’s not what you thought it would be, or maybe there are parts of the job that just aren’t working out for you. 

However, you should also consider that this may only be a temporary feeling if you are adjusting to a new environment and responsibilities. 

However, sometimes there’s just nothing that can be done to help a new employee feel comfortable. If this is the case with you, then it’s probably best to move on.

It’s an unpleasant work environment

The work environment is uncomfortable or unsupportive in some way, and that makes it difficult for you to enjoy coming to work each day. This can happen if your coworkers haven’t been accepting of you, for instance. 

You may also notice there isn’t enough room for growth within the organization or something about your manager makes them difficult to work with. 

You feel there’s a better job opportunity

You may have just accepted an offer or have started working, but you’ve just been sent an amazing job offer. This may be bad timing for the company you recently started, but it does happen. 

You don’t want to leave your new employer in a tough spot, you have to think about your career first. 

If that’s the case, you can update your resume format to ensure your resume fits the job description of the new vacancy that you found and go for it. 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Leaving a New Job

Before pulling the trigger on your resignation, it’s essential to weigh both the pros and cons of the decision.

Take a look below to review some reasons leaving a job you just started may be your best option and some reasons why you should stick it out a bit longer.

Advantages

• You can avoid working for a job you don’t want to work in.
• You can look for a better fit right away.

Disadvantages

• Short-term employment may look bad on your resume, or your current boss could give a new employer negative feedback.
• You may be giving up a good job opportunity too soon.

When you are certain you need a change of professional scenery, then you should trust your instincts. By using a resume template, you can ensure your resume is optimized for a new job vacancy, even so soon after finding your current position.

Consider if it is the right time to leave

Before notifying your manager or human resources, It is important to consider if it is the right time to leave your new job. 

Here are some questions that must be asked:

Do you have a new job lined up?

Having a new position ready is a significant factor in this decision. If you don’t have a position ready, then you may want to stay put just a while longer. 

Do you have a transition plan?

You should know when you plan on leaving and how much notice you need. If you want to start a new job, ensure you don’t start before your notice period ends. 

Is it too soon?

Is there an underlying reason why you’re unhappy in this role, instead of just “having a bad day?” Make sure not to leave your current position before you’ve given it a real chance if the reason is negative feelings or uncertainty. 

How to Resign From a Job You Just Started: the Right Way

After contemplating your decision to leave your new job, you’re still determined to resign it’s time to answer the question of how to quit a job you just started.

Of course, you’ll want to leave in the most professional way possible, this will help you transition into the next step of your career.

So, how do you politely quit a job you just started?

This is what you should do if you plan on quitting your new job. 

1. Draft a resignation letter: Write up an official resignation letter stating that you are leaving your current role and explain the specific reason(s) you are resigning. 
2. Submit your letter: Give your letter to your employer in person with at least two weeks’ notice.
3. Work out a transition plan: You can do this with your current manager and new manager if you’ve already found a new position, and let them know what needs to be done for you to exit smoothly by the end of your notice period.
4. Continue to work: As part of your transition plan, you need to keep working in your current position. If you’re moving on to another job, make sure you stay the required amount of time before leaving. 
5. Receive feedback: Get feedback from both management and colleagues about what went well during this time at work so that it can help guide future employment decisions if needed.

Above all, you need to be professional. You have to do what’s right for you, however, consider that you are possibly putting the company in a tricky situation. 

Explain why this decision was made by both parties involved. It may be uncomfortable, but honesty is key. 

Key Points

Quitting a job you just started is a big deal. It may be hard, but you’ll get through it if you do what was stated in this guide, such as: 

• Contemplate your decision
• Update your resume experience and format if you have to
• Find a new job
• Create a transition plan
• Submit your resignation letter with enough time
• Finish your time at your new job

Leaving a job you don’t feel comfortable in will give you more time and freedom to do what they want to do. While your time at a new position may be ending prematurely, it can still have provided you with a good experience and be a positive for your career.

Ending your employment the right way will also help you correctly move on to bigger and better things.

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