Professional pitstops: What you should know about quitting a job you just started

It’s a common situation, but that doesn’t make it any less awkward. After a rigorous interview process and anxious waiting period, you were finally offered the job you’ve been diligently pursuing. Of course, you accepted the company’s generous offer, and dove head first into your new work looking to make a splash immediately.

Unfortunately, for whatever reason, mere weeks into starting with the employer you’ve come to the uncomfortable realization you need to put in your two weeks’ notice. There are numerous potential reasons to leave a position you just started. Maybe there was miscommunication regarding the job’s expectations, or you simply don’t gel with the company’s culture and upper management. Alternatively, perhaps another organization has come along with an offer you simply can’t refuse. 

Acknowledging the risks

Regardless of the underlying factors driving such a major career change, the decision to walk away from a job you just started isn’t a choice to be made lightly. First and foremost, be sure to give this topic the time and focus it deserves. Moving from one position to another in a relatively fast fashion, often referred to as job hopping, may be more common than ever, but there’s a fairly big difference between leaving a job after 6 months compared to after 6 weeks (or shorter). Exceedingly short stays at multiple companies displayed on your resume are likely to raise an eyebrow or two among recruiters and hiring managers. 

There’s also the not so small matter of financial stability. If you’re flirting with the idea of departing from a new job without another job offer already lined up, it’s a good idea to make sure you’ll be able to support yourself as you transition between positions. Finally, consider the possibility you may damage your reputation among your new coworkers. While other people’s feelings are no reason to stay in a job that’s a bad fit, keep in mind your abrupt and unplanned departure will likely mean more work for your soon to be ex-colleagues. It’s best not to count on any glowing recommendations or references in the future.

Walking away the right way

All that being acknowledged, none of those considerations should keep you in a job you hate. While it’s key to exit a new job with one’s eyes wide open to the potential pitfalls, there are a number of ways you can go about resigning that will encourage a smooth exit from the company on good terms.

To start, once you’ve made your decision, it’s best not to delay the inevitable. Let your manager know you intend to leave as soon as you reasonably can. This gives the company as much time as possible to prepare for your exit. Depending on your role and just how long you’ve been with the organization, you may want to offer to stay on for longer than the standard two week grace period. Sticking with the company for an extra week or two shows you aren’t leaving the employer high and dry, promoting a less contentious departure. On the other hand, some employers may ask for an earlier end date than the usual two weeks, with the idea being it’s best not to prolong your exit after such a short tenure. Either way, reiterate your willingness to do whatever will make the process easier for the company. 

Next, we come to the matter of honesty. After submitting your resignation, your supervisor will almost certainly have a few questions for you regarding the decision. While honesty is usually a great policy to uphold in life, just how truthful you should be about your departure depends on the underlying reasons behind it. If you’re leaving because the duties of the position were not clearly laid out for you during the interviewing process, that’s a useful piece of information the organization can use to avoid similar mistakes in the future. On the other hand, if you’re walking away because you can’t stand your colleagues or believe the CEO is lying through their teeth, it’s probably best to leave all that out of your exit interview.

Additionally, while it can be very tempting to mentally “check out” after submitting your resignation notice, it’s imperative to continue putting in genuine effort on the job for the entire duration of your stay. Since you’re only there for a short period, try to make a strong final impression on your colleagues. You never know when a prior connection will lead to a future opportunity. Alternatively, a different position may one day become available at the same company that is a much better fit for you.