How to Deal with Disappointment After Changing Jobs

How to Deal with Disappointment After Changing Jobs How to Deal With Disappointment After Changing JobsFeeling the new-job blues? These tips will helpThe job-search process can be stressful, and most professionals cant wait until they finally sign that perfect contract. Time to say goodbye to their old job and embrace the excitement of a new office, new colleagues, and new responsibilities.But what happens if youve crossed over to the other side and found that the new job isnt what you imagined? What if you dread going to work and wish you could have your old job back?Believe it or not, this crestfallen feeling is pretty common. However, it doesnt mean you should resign from the new position and run back to the comfort of your old office. Here are five things you should do instead.Take some time to breatheNegative emotions dont automatically mean youve made a mistake and chose the wrong job. Most professionals dont realize that starting a new job is a major life-changing event. When it comes to the stress scale, a job change is up there with marriage, divorce, or even a death in the family. Let go of the expectation that you should just go on as if nothing happenedInstead, go easy on yourself. Youve just lost your old crew. Yes, you changed jobs voluntarily but a loss is still a loss, and suppressing or ignoring that fact wont move you forward. Make it okay to miss your former co-workers, that amazing coffeemaker in the kitchen, the fun team lunch on Fridays, or whatever it is that you miss.Find one thing to enjoy at your new job Happiness at work is a practice and that means it will take some work. Your new task is simple but not easy. Go and find one new thing that you enjoy at work, and do it every single day.This will be difficult at first because our brains tend to automatically seek out whats wrong with the world around us. Set aside a few minutes each day to write down a few words about something that made you smile. You could use a Word document, a si mple notebook, or a more formal journaling tool, like the Best Self Journal.Another way to go about this is to decide in the morning what will be the highlight of your day. Perhaps its finishing that report, or enjoying a coffee break with a new colleague, or trying something new for lunch. It doesnt matter if you choose a big thing or something really small the key is to have something that you look forward to every single day.Remind yourself of the big pictureProfessionals change jobs for so many reasons, and sometimes the major reasons you left can get mixed up with small annoyances. Its true that sometimes, we can blow small things out of proportion.RelatedBefore You Jump Ship, Consider These 5 TipsDid you leave your job because of your ever-micromanaging boss? The eternally broken copy machine? The lack of upward mobility? That one difficult client? The lack of budget funds for basic supplies? Or the rickety office chair that made your back hurt? Probably not. There was a bigg er reason youve put yourself through the discomfort of the job search.Remind yourself of that reason. What were you seeking? Does your new company still offer that opportunity? Is it possible that, underneath all the inconveniences of adjusting to a new job, this might be a gift for your future self?Make a listNow that you know what you were hoping to get from your new job, its time to make a list.Disappointment is a symptom that in some way (big or small), reality failed to match your expectations. So, lets hund down the mismatches that may be causing your new-job blues. Think about what you expected and what got delivered. The more specific you can get, the more useful this list will be in our next step. Heres what to focus onWere you promised an office, but assigned a cubicle instead?Are you working longer hours than you expected?Are your actual job responsibilities drastically different from what had been discussed during interviews?Are you getting the training you need to be a t your best?Are you sitting on your hands with nothing to do?The truth is that you and your employer both want this hiring decision to work out. HR and the hiring manager dont look forward to re-opening the candidate search. You probably arent eager to jump back into job-search mode, either.So, if you have specific requests that could help you succeed and add value, chances are that the company will be willing to accommodate them. Some things, like a mismatch between you and the company culture, cant be helped. But theres plenty that could be fixed if you ask.Know when to call it quitsYes, there are situations where quitting a job youve just started is the best choice. Perhaps you have landed in a toxic work environment. Maybe the new job requires additional training that the company cant provide. Or perhaps the actual job is very different from the position you had been promised and the company cant or wont change your assignment.Related How to Spot a Toxic Workplace Before You T ake the JobIf that is the case, be absolutely certain about your decision, because it will be final. Talk it through with a mentor or a friend whose judgment you trust. Once you speak up, theres no going backIts usually best to deliver the news to your supervisor in person. Be prepared to explain your reasons for resigning, keeping your explanation objective and professional. Be polite, offer as much notice as you can, and acknowledge that your departure puts the company in a tough spot. And know that despite your best efforts at a graceful exit, there will probably be hurt feelings and burnt bridges by the time the door closes behind you.Dealing with disappointment in your new jobSo, what should you do if you are a week or two into your new job when you realize that you dont like it there?First off, dont make rash decisions. You cant take back a resignation It can damage your reputation and hurt your career. Be koranvers to look at your situation objectively. Sometimes, professiona ls expect that the new job will be all sunshine with no downsides whatsoever., and thats neither realistic nor reasonable. Remind yourself of why you chose this job and consider whether its still possible to get what you had hoped for. Finally, know when leaving is the best course of action. And if you choose to resign, handle the transition with as much patience and grace as you can muster.Of course, it would be better to choose the right-fit job in the first place and avoid the potential reputation risk and hassle but you still have options if it ends up being a bad fit. Feeling disappointed at your job and looking to make a change? Make sure your resume is up to par with a free resume review todayRecommended Reading14 Things That Take Longer Than Submitting for a Professional Resume Review5 Tips to Remember When Asking for an Internal TransferFactors That Contribute to Happiness at Work That Dont Include MoneyRelated Articles