Why You May Hate Your New Job and What to Do if This Happens

There’s a job opening. It’s a more senior role at an incredible company/organization. You’re excited by the possibilities it promises, and this opportunity could do wonderful things for your career.

Without much hope or expectation you apply and are contacted for an interview.

The first interview is great – so is the second one.

Now the fantasy is within touching distance of becoming a reality. As you get further in the process, you allow yourself start to think of what your new business cards are going to look like, of what the new commute will be.

It’s all you can think of while they make a decision – every time your phone rings or you have a new email you wonder if it’s them. You want it to be - but only if it’s good news.

They offer you the job!

Celebration, Excitement, Happy Dance!

You begin the new job full of optimism but then – could be a week, a month or some other period of time – everything changes. You have a pit in your stomach as your new job is now a nightmare.

How does this happen? And what can you do about it?

When things fall, they freefall

You start with a clean slate. If you do something at the start to rub people the wrong way, there's an X against your name. Do it again and that clean slate is incredibly tarnished.

You don’t want people to say – “Have you met the new guy? He’s cringe.”

If you’re in a position of authority, you’re going to have a hard time people respecting you. If you’re rank and file, your boss and colleagues may have a hard time trusting you.

A fractured relationship is like bungee jumping – when things go downhill, they go downhill very quickly. Now the new guy is that guy.

Bad Onboarding

The bad vibes may not just be due to you. There’s nothing worse than a horrible onboarding experience. No one was expecting you; nothing has been set up for you – no desk, no computer and nothing to do. While this could just be one of those things, it’s the worst first impression a new employer can make. It may not help that you had just mastered the coffee machine and printer at your old job and now have that sense of helplessness all over again!

Lack of honesty

You know how you didn’t answer every answer in the interview truthfully

Being too much of a perfectionist? Really - that’s your weakness!?!?

Well as you can find out, two can play at that game.

The perceptions you had were completely off, some clients had just left, some staff were also gone and all that glitters really isn’t gold.

Meanwhile they’re unhappy that you put down pivot tables as a skill and yet don’t know how to do one. Ironically, you will now have to pivot well to get out of this situation.

Going to HR and voicing your displeasure is like complaining to Airbnb about the listing – from the picture it looked like it had a swimming pool but it’s really just a pond.

HR won't want to get involved. Typically, it responds like this:

Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place

For whatever reason the relationship with your bosses or the people under you doesn’t gel. It doesn’t help when they like things a certain way and you don’t.

What to do if you're told the official fonts are Courier or even worse Brush Script!

If they really loved the person you’re replacing, and they have new person resentment, you can't help that.

Instead of being confident you retreat into your shell, both of which will only make matters worse.

Poor Instincts

One of the reasons you thrived at your old job was that you knew how the people there ticked. At your new place they’re all strangers so need to be able to read people and read them well – don’t be the guy who tries too hard to fit in. Connections can’t be forced – they have to form organically.

Many get off on the wrong foot at their new job because they put people offside. Make the things you say count, while doing a lot of watching and listening.

If you’re going to take initiative, make sure you’re doing something they like.

Lack of Success/Results

This is the case especially in sports. If you become the manager or head coach somewhere and begin with a number of losses, it’s going to be on you. In English soccer, managers are under the pump from the word go and people can even bet on your demise.

It also happens in very public positions. If you're a politican and lose the election, or a director and your film tanks, it could be hard for you to get another gig.

What to do About it?

Burrow In

If you feel confident in yourself and the organization, prepare a plan to turn things round. Meet with your colleagues 1 on 1 so they can get a better sense of who you are and vice versa. Try anyway you can to achieve some victories so you can showcase your worth to your colleagues and let them know that you belong and that you’re one of them.

Moving On

If you’re past the point of no return and for your personal wellbeing, you have to get out than do it. There is no point wallowing in misery to avoid being a footnote. Just do everything in your power not to burn a bridge because people do talk. It’s possible to spin a short term stop on your resume (that’s if you even put it on your resume) but it’s hard to explain two. So, make sure that wherever you go next is going to be a better match.

Boomerang

The question is, can you go back to where you came from? If you didn’t burn a bridge at your former workplace, you may find they welcome you back. It can be humiliating to go back but sometimes your pride has to take a hit. Then again, if they’re lost without you, returning could be a big win for you.

Choose Wisely

Next time you consider taking a new job, be more circumspect with the process. Do everything you can to get a sense of how you will fit in. Don’t be seduced by the chase. If you have any doubts, ask if you can spend some time in the office to get a sense of the culture and your colleagues before you make a decision.

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