How To Quit a Job You Just Started

What happens when you decide to leave your job after only six months for a better opportunity? Is this wrong? You can quit a job you just started, but there are “dos” and “don’t’s” to follow for a successful transition. We discuss how to tell your boss if this will affect your career long term. 

By Helen Harris

At some point in your career, you have probably heard that you should keep your job for at least a year (preferably longer) to build a positive record on your resume. Despite good intentions, there could be circumstances that compel you to quit much sooner than you or your manager expects. 

While this is not always ideal, it is becoming much more acceptable in today’s society. 

And according to CNBC, this is large in part due to industry changes, volatile startups and the impatient nature of millennials, which have created a professional culture in which frequent job changes are now the new norm.

Additionally, The Muse explains a concept that is largely responsible for the frequent job changes among the Gen Z and millennial population. The concept is “Shift Shock”: a feeling when you start a new job and realize, with either surprise or regret, that the position or company is very different from what you were led to believe.

To test the concept of Shift Shock, The Muse surveyed more than 2,500 respondents at the beginning of the year. Out of those respondents, 72% said they had experienced Shift Shock.

Other notable findings from the survey are as follows:  

• 41% indicated that they would only stay at a new job two to six months if they felt Shift Shock as a new hire.
• 48% indicated that they would try to get their old job back if they felt Shift Shock at a new company.
• 80% indicated that it’s acceptable to leave a new job before six months if it’s not a good fit or isn’t what you expected.  

“This is a generational shift, driven by Gen Z and millennial candidates who are more likely to believe the employer-employee relationship should be a two-way street,” said Kathryn Minshew, Muse’s co-founder and CEO. “On top of this, the pandemic has emphasized for many that ‘life is short,’ which means candidates are less likely to stick around in unfulfilling jobs.”

With this evidence in tow, you can see that quitting a job you just started isn’t necessarily taboo and is becoming more acceptable. Now it’s time to understand the reasons you may be led to quit a job you just started — and how to do it with grace. 

Why You May Need To Quit A Job You Just Started 

“You might have a boss who didn't seem the way that they really are in the interview process,” said Lynne Williams, resume writer and online career educator. “It could be a toxic environment. Or you could have some health or personal issues.” 

Williams also notes more reasons someone might find a sudden need to put in their notice at a job their new employer: 

• Partner needs to relocate
• Not a culture fit 
• Received an offer at a preferred company 
• Job doesn’t meet your expectations as described in the interview 

“There's a variety of reasons that you may want to pass on the job,” said Williams. You have to give it some really good thought, and sometimes it helps putting things in writing so that you can really reflect on the whole situation. Do the pros and the cons; make a list.” 

Williams also notes that you should consider any NDAs or other paperwork that you may have signed during your onboarding process. For instance, you don’t want to leave your new job to take a job at a direct competitor. 

She additionally stresses that just because you are quitting a position in a short amount of time doesn’t mean that you don’t have a valid reason and haven’t given the situation plenty of thought. She encourages you to organize your thoughts as to why you are moving on before putting in your notice so your boss doesn’t think it is a rash decision. 

She lastly emphasizes to always be professional, positive and give two weeks’ notice to not burn any bridges. 

How To Let Your Boss Know

When it comes to telling your boss of the other opportunity you have found, Jay Colan, career coach and personal branding expert explains that foremost, you should express gratefulness. 

For example, he recommends a dialogue similar to the following: 

“I’m deeply appreciative of the opportunity I’ve had here, but I’ve had another opportunity come up. Unfortunately, timing is never perfect, but I will do my best to finish up any projects I have left and serve as a mentor to the next person coming in.” 

Williams adds that no matter what emotions you may be feeling or what circumstances you may be leaving under, you should always be tactful and diplomatic.

“Word travels in any industry,” said Williams. “It's really a small world. You want to be professional and to not burn bridges along the way.” 

Williams also adds that while two weeks is standard notice, you should always be prepared for the possibility of management deciding that your final day is effective immediately. 

What To Keep in Mind for Your Career  

While there are certainly reasons to quit a job you just started and move on respectfully to your next position, bestselling management author and CNBC contributor Suzy Welch cautions you to not let it become a habit. 

“Anything under [one year] — especially if it’s happening over and over again — is a red flag to a hiring manager,” said Welch. 

If you do find that you have moved around a lot in a short amount of time, Colan advises that you “see what’s possible” (if possible) at your current job by having an open conversation with your manager, maybe trying a new position within the company or asking for ways that you could contribute to new teams and do other tasks. There may be ways to make the most of your situation.

But if you do decide to move on, Colan is equally as optimistic, stating that today’s job market is more dynamic than ever and that he’s seen more people switch jobs more often in the last two or three years than ever. 

And as long as you’re quitting, and beginning, with purpose in mind this is completely fine. 

“You have to think about what really is important to you at a company,” said Colan. “That’s important to consider as you move among jobs because otherwise you’re aimlessly bouncing from one place to the next.” 

Top Takeaways 

How To Quit a Job You Just Started

• Volatile startups and the impatient nature of millennials have created a professional culture in which frequent job changes are now the norm.
• “Shift Shock” is a feeling when you start a new job and realize, with either surprise or regret, that the position or company is very different from what you were led to believe.
• “There's a variety of reasons that you may want to pass on the job. …You have to give it some really good thought, and sometimes it helps putting things in writing so that you can really reflect on the whole situation. Do the pros and the cons; make a list.” 
• Always be professional, positive and give two weeks’ notice to not burn any bridges. 
• No matter what emotions you may be feeling or what circumstances you may be leaving under, you should always be tactful and diplomatic.