FIHLIWEMATSA1 A new job is such a trigger happy moment, unfortunately things don’t always turn out to be as shiny as they appear to be. Imagine the horror that comes with hating that new job you celebrated for. It may be that the working environment on its own is toxic or you are not getting what you expected. If you are working a role you hate at the moment, just know that some if not a lot are going through the same in the South African job industry.
All is not lost though, stay calm and follow our guide on how to deal with working a role you hate and what decision to make that will benefit you better.
What To Do When You Hate Your New Job
1. Assess the Situation Honestly
Think carefully and assess the reasons why you hate your new job before deciding to quit;
- Is the workload heavier than the pay?
- Is the problem with management, company values, or lack of career growth?
- Were your expectations overboard?
- Is it failing to adjust to a new environment?
- What can you do to improve the situation?
These questions will help you decide what to do about the situation and whether you need to take time to get used to the new environment.
2. Brainstorm Possible Solutions
Quitting may be your first thought but before doing that, find a way to improve the situation you are in. You can try;
- As scary as it sounds for someone new, be brave and approach your manager/supervisor calmly and express your concerns about the workload to see if anything can be adjusted.
- If it’s a matter of hating the role you are given, ask the manager if there is no other position that would suit you better and align with your goals.
- In cases of feeling overworked find a better way to improve work life balance to adjust to your new role
- You can also approach a more experienced colleague in your department to help you navigate your new role.
In case any of these did not work, try exploring other options.
3. Have An exit Strategy
If all efforts of diluting the situation have gone in vain then maybe it’s best you consider leaving.
How do you do this?
- Prepare your CV and update your LinkedIn profile to be ready for upcoming applications
- Starting networking with people in your industry, your old colleagues and mentors to find out about any job leads
- Start looking for new job opportunities while still working to reduce the time you stay unemployed.
- If the reason behind hating your new job was struggling with work life balance, start looking for more flexible work like freelancing or remote jobs to lessen your load.
4. How to Return to Your Previous Company
It is possible for you to return to your old job provided you left in good condition with your employers.
How Do You Do That?
A. Address The Reasons Why You Left in the First Place
To make better choices you need to be real about the reason why you left your old job. Understand that the reasons you left are still there, hence why you left. If the good surpases the bad or you left because you thought your current job was better then it would be a wise option to consider going back.
B. Find A Strategy To Reach Out to Your Previous Employer Professionally
Reaching out may not give the results you are expecting hence why you need to approach your employer professionally.
- Reach out to your previous supervisor or contact the HR department
- Thank them for the opportunity they gave you and the experience you gained working for the company.
- Narrate the reason for contact, tell them why you want to join the company again and what new experience or contribution you are bringing.
- Admit that you left but direct the conversation to what you have learned
C. Emphasize the Benefits, Skills And Experience You Bring To The Company
Convince your employer why re-hiring you will be beneficial for them. It could be because:
- You understand your role better than if they would hire someone new
- You already know what is required from you working for the company
- You have new ideas, skills, and experience from the job you are currently in
D. Be Ready For Rejection
No matter how great of an employee you were, your old company might not take you back mainly because your position was filled or for other reasons. If that happens, thank them for their time and start looking for new job opportunities.
5. Prepare to Resign Professionally
Make sure your exit is professional and you leave on good terms just in case you might need a job with the company in future.
- Check your contract and give a notice, most South African companies require a one month notice before you leave your job
- Prepare a precise, respectful and professional resignation letter
- No matter how bad your experience was, avoid burning bridges for good reference incase future employers need it
- Make sure you complete all tasks given to you before leaving
6. Treat It As A lesson Instead of Misfortune
Every experience always leaves you with something valuable you have learnt. This bad experience can help you recognize what you really want from a job, ask yourself;
- What kind of job features do you consider good?
- What would be signs of a job you would hate in future?
- In future, what questions do you ask in an interview to get an idea of the kind of environment a potential workplace is?
Finding answers to these questions will help you make better choices when choosing a job in future.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Stuck
Having a new job you hate in South Africa doesn’t mean you should suffer through it, be proactive and decide what to do. You can choose to have a meaningful conversation with your supervisor to discuss a solution, you can choose to look for better opportunities while working or possibly go back to your old job. Through all this remember to be professional whether you are quitting the job or filing a complaint.
Key Takeaways:
- Asses the main reason behind your misery in the new job
- Come up with the solution to improve the situation before decking to quit
- If nothing changes, silently hunt for a new job while on the current job
- If necessary, consider returning to your previous employer
- Be professional and avoid burning bridges when you resign
