I started a new job last month and know I’ve already made a mistake. The atmosphere is tense, my colleagues are less than collegial, and my boss even less so. Is it ever OK to quit a job this early in the game?
—Need Advice Before Quitting
There are some good reasons to leave a job quickly, such as a salary that’s lower than what was promised or promising one job and assigning you to another position. However, making a wise decision to quit a job early in the game requires one to take a step back for a moment. The key here is whether or not you are willing to try to deal with the challenges of the job and then deciding if the essential fundamental problems are true deal breakers.
Starting a new job can be stressful. People under pressure tend to make decisions that are risky, which can negatively impact them in their future job search. Quitting abruptly may result in earning bad references from former bosses and their contacts. More important, it may mean living without a paycheck for a while.
Before handing in your resignation, ask yourself if you’ve given the new job a fair chance. According to recent studies, new employees’ behavior at the office can help determine the amount of support they receive. Those who seem committed to the job and ask questions get more help from managers. And just because you don’t like the person next to you or your ‘not so nice’ supervisor isn’t necessarily a reason to leave your job. If your boss is abrasive, push back a bit—respectfully—and, if appropriate, with a bit of humor. For example, there was a recent article about a new manager who responded to his boss who had been unduly brusque with him by saying: “Are you just having a bad day, or are you always like this?” The new manager not only survived the exchange, but also received better treatment from his boss.
That said, should you decide that there is no possible reason to stay, it’s important to leave on a positive note. Keep in mind, when a new hire quits, it’s costly for the employer. They’ve invested their time and money into hiring you and now it forces them to restart the hiring process. Your resignation might even negatively impact office morale. However, if and when you decide to submit your resignation, do so in a way that is thoughtful and representative of the professional that you are. Offer to help with the transition by providing any notes on the work you’ve done to date, and be willing to sit down and debrief whomever will cover your responsibilities until a replacement is on board. First and last impressions are what people remember. Make yours a positive, lasting one.
If you have a question for Joan, send it to business@townandstyle.com. Joan Lee Berkman is a marketing and public relations consultant.
