How to quit a job you’ve just started: 9 steps to follow 👋-
Introduction 👋
Knowing when to quit your job can be really difficult – especially if you’ve only just started. 🤔
According to CIPD, in 2023 in the UK the most common length of time to be in a job role was between 2 and 5 years. ⌛
But this can’t always be the case for every person in every job, and a lot of people might decide to leave a job they’ve just started.
If you leave a job you’ve just started in the wrong way, you could struggle with things like:
- getting a good reference 📝
- explaining to your new employer why you left 💬
- leaving on good terms with your colleagues 🤝
So, with this in mind, it’s important to handle quitting a job you’ve just started very carefully.
Today we’re explaining 9 steps you should follow to quit a job you’ve just started in a positive way, that hopefully won’t burn bridges or reduce opportunities for you in the future. ✨
1. Evaluate your decision to leave 🤔
Before making any hasty decisions, take the time to think about why you want to leave. 🧠
Ask yourself:
- Are the issues temporary or likely to improve with time? 📆
- Is there a way to address your concerns internally? 🩹
- Would staying a bit longer help you make a more confident decision? 🔮
Sometimes, the initial discomfort of a new job is just part of the adjustment period.
However, if your reasons are significant and unlikely to change, it may be time to move on. 👋
2. Think about the consequences of leaving 🔮
When leaving a job it’s really important to make sure that you’re happy with the consequences. ✅
Quitting a job shortly after starting can have some difficult consequences, such as:
- Gaps in your CV/resume: Leaving a job quickly can create gaps on your CV/resume that may raise questions from future employers. 🤔
- Burned bridges: Quitting early could damage your relationship with the employer, making it difficult to use them as a reference or to get job opportunities from them in the future. 🔥
- Financial uncertainty: If you don’t have another job lined up, you might face financial instability. 💷
- Reputation damage: It might impact your professional reputation, especially if you work in a small or closely-knit industry. 👎
- Missed learning opportunities: You may miss out on growth or learning opportunities that could have emerged with more time in the role. 👩🎓
- Difficulty explaining: You might have to prepare a convincing and honest explanation for future interviews regarding your short stay in the job. 😬
- Feeling stressed: The decision to quit early can be emotionally stressful, leading to feelings of regret or self-doubt. 😥
Think about how you’ll explain this decision to future employers and be prepared with a clear, honest explanation. 💬
This can help you to decide whether quitting now will support your long-term career goals. 🔮
3. Get another job lined up (if you can!) 💼
If you can, it can be really helpful to secure another job before resigning.
Having a new position lined up can ease the financial and professional stress that comes with quitting a job, and also give you an easier explanation for leaving so soon. 👋
It also allows you to leave on better terms, as you won’t feel rushed or desperate. 🤝
4. Consider your financial situation 💷
Considering your financial situation before quitting a job you’ve just started is important because it helps to make sure you’re prepared for:
- potentially losing income 💷
- missing out on job perks/benefits ✨
- the uncertainty of finding a new position 🤷♀️
Without a financial cushion or emergency fund, you may struggle to cover important costs and face significant stress, impacting both your well-being and long-term financial goals.
Making sure that you’ve got a solid financial plan in place can help you to navigate this change with more confidently. 🗺️
5. Plan your exit strategy 🚪
Once you’ve decided to quit, plan your departure carefully:
- Timing: Consider when it’s a good time for you to leave, but also when is a good time for the organisation – it might be better for the organisation if you avoid quitting during critical projects or company events. ⌚
- Notice Period: Even if you’ve just started, it can leave a good impression if you try to work your full notice period. This shows professionalism and gives your employer time to find a replacement. 📆
Notice period calculator: calculate your notice period 📆
6. Prepare for the conversation 💬
Telling your boss that you’re leaving can be uncomfortable, especially so soon after starting. Here’s how to approach the conversation:
- Be Honest but Tactful: Explain your reasons for leaving in a way that is honest but not overly critical. Focus on your needs rather than pointing out the company’s flaws.
- Stay Positive: Express gratitude for the opportunity and emphasize that the decision wasn’t made lightly.
- Keep It Brief: Keep the conversation short and focused on your decision.
7. Write a resignation letter ✍️
Even though you’re leaving soon after starting, it’s still important to submit a formal resignation letter.
Your letter should include:
- A clear statement of resignation: Mention the position you’re resigning from and your intended last working day. 👋
- Gratitude: Express appreciation for the opportunity, even if it was brief. 🙏
- Offer of assistance: If appropriate, offer to help with the transition. 🤝
Sample Resignation Letter
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[Manager’s Name]
[Employer Name]
[Organisation/Employer Address]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am writing to formally resign from my position as [Your Position] at [Employer Name], effective [Last Working Day].
I want to express my gratitude for the opportunity to work with [Employer Name]. However, after careful consideration, I have made the decision to pursue other opportunities that are more in line with my personal and professional goals.
I appreciate that this might be unexpected and a potential challenge for the organisation considering my relatively short tenure, so please be assured that I will do as much as possible to ensure that the organisation is supported during this transition period.
Please let me know how I can assist in ensuring a smooth transition.
Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
8. Focus on leaving on good terms 🤝
After you’ve given notice, it’s important to focus on leaving on good terms, to help avoid damage to your professional reputation.
It’s important to aim to be supportive to your employer doing things like:
- Completing any remaining work or tasks ✅
- Offering to train your replacement 👩🏫
- Avoiding speaking negatively about the employer or your experience 🤫
Maintaining a professional demeanor helps to ensure that you leave a positive impression. 🌟
9. Evaluate and move on 👣
There’s a lot that you can learn from leaving a job. 👩🎓
After you’ve left, take time to reflect on the experience and what you’ve learned. 💭
Use this knowledge to make better decisions in the future. 🧠
Whether it’s understanding more about the type of work environment that suits you or recognizing the red flags you missed during the interview process, this experience can provide valuable insights.
Conclusion 👍
So that’s it!
Quitting a job you’ve just started can be a daunting decision, but sometimes it’s the right one. ✅
By handling the situation with care and professionalism, you can leave without burning bridges and move on to a role that’s a better fit for your career aspirations. 🌟
Remember, your well-being and happiness are extremely important, and taking control of your career path is always a step in the right direction. 👣
To quit a job you’ve just started, you should:
- Evaluate your decision to leave 🤔
- Think about the consequences of leaving 🔮
- Get another job lined up (if you can!) 💼
- Consider your financial situation 💷
- Plan your exit strategy 🚪
- Prepare for the conversation 💬
- Write a resignation letter ✍️
- Focus on leaving on good terms 🤝
- Evaluate and move on 👣
Hopefully this article has helped you to understand better how to quit a job that you’ve just started.
If you know any friends or family members who might benefit from learning about how to quit a job that you’ve just started, share this post with them!
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