“Argh, I hate my new job after 3 months!”
Is this you?
Do you regret taking your new job, have found out it wasn’t what you were expecting, or just feel like you can’t do it any longer?
If so, you need to think carefully about what you’re going to do.
If you’re stressed or depressed, it’s going to take a toll on your mental health – but is quitting the answer?
Here’s a look at the signs that you hate your job, what your options are, and whether or not you should quit!
Classic Signs That You Hate Your Job
First of all, it’s worth taking some time out to assess how much you hate your job – and check that you’re not just emotional after a bad day.
Here are some of the signs that you really do hate your job, see how many of these you’re experiencing:
You Feel Stressed or Depressed All the Time
If you’re feeling stressed or depressed about going into work, it’s definitely a sign that your job is impacting your mental health negatively.
This will have some serious long-term health implications if you try to ignore it or just put up with it.
You Can’t Stand Your Boss, Coworkers, or Clients
If you can’t stand your boss, coworkers, or clients, it’s going to make going to work every day really tough.
It might be worth considering if the problem is with them, or if it’s just that this type of job isn’t for you.
Sometimes it takes a while to fully embed into the culture of a new workplace. But at the same time, it just might not be the right fit for you.
You’re Constantly Bored or Find the Work Tedious
If you’re finding the work tedious and boring, it’s going to be hard to get through each day.
This is another problem that a lot of people face and try to simply ignore. But you deserve to be challenged and stimulated, otherwise, it’s going to impact your mental health.
Your Skills Aren’t Being Used Properly
There are few things more frustrating than not putting your studies, training, and experience to the test.
If you’re feeling like your skills and talents aren’t being used in your job, it’s going to be tough to stay motivated.
The Job Isn’t What You Expected It to Be
You wouldn’t be the first person to start a new job and find that all the tasks, jobs, and opportunities listed in the job spec simply haven’t happened.
It’s important to be realistic and understand that sometimes things change, but if it’s been more than a month or two and the job isn’t what you expected it to be, it’s time to have a conversation with your boss.
What to Do If You Hate Your Job After Three Months
If you’ve assessed that you hate your job after three months, it’s time to do something about it.
There are a few things you can do:
Talk to Your Boss
The first step is to talk to your boss. This takes guts, but it’s the best way to find out what the plan is for your role and whether or not it’s still a good fit.
They might be able to give you some more responsibility, or suggest other roles in the company that would better suit your skills.
In my experience, it’s always worth a shot. If you quit without talking to your boss, you’ll never know what could have been.
If you know that the role simply isn’t for you no matter what your boss might be able to do, then your talk might just involve discussing when you can leave!
Look for a New Job
If talking to your boss doesn’t help or you have your heart set on moving on, ideally you should start looking for a new job before quitting.
This can be daunting, but there are plenty of resources out there to help you.
The important thing right now is to put this experience to one side so you can put your best self forward when applying for new jobs.
Take a Break
If everything is just too much and you feel like you can’t do anything about your job, it might be time for a break.
This doesn’t mean quitting, but taking some time off to reassess your options and get some space from your current situation.
I understand we all have bills to pay, etc, so for some this will not be possible. If you can take a break, however, it’s a great way to clear your head and assess what you want for your future.
Related – If your husband quit without telling you first, read this post!
Quitting Is an Option
Quitting is always an option, you should never feel like a failure or that you’re letting yourself or anyone else down.
You’re not the first person to find out that a job isn’t what you expected or wanted it to be within 3 months – and you won’t be the last.
On a positive note, you’re brave for admitting this and doing something about it. Too many people just put up with hating their jobs, and their mental and physical health suffers as a result.
Another way to look at this is that you’re going to find a new job, and you will enjoy it a lot more!
Is 3 Months Too Early to Quit?
Quitting a job within the first few months can be a scary prospect, but it’s not always a bad thing.
Three months is a decent amount of time to know if you enjoy your job or not.
It’s better that you quit now so that you can move on and find a job you do enjoy than sticking out a job you hate, that’s something I can tell you for sure.
At the end of the day, as long as you take the time to weigh up the pros and cons and make a decision with a clear head free from emotions, that’s all you can do.
Go with what makes sense – and what you’re feeling in your gut.
Please keep in mind that it’s ‘only a job’, too.
As long as you keep a positive mindset and give it 100%, you’ll find another job that you enjoy more.
Sources we used to verify the information in this article:
Work Performance of Employees With Depression: The Impact of Work Stressors
People Management – Two in five planning to leave jobs within a year
Image credits – Photo by Minh Pham on Unsplash
Phil lives in England, UK, and has around 20 years experience as a professional life, career and executive coach. He started this blog to help others find and define their own self development journey. Blogging about a wide range of topics to help facilitate a better future.