You’ve been in your new job for a few months and things aren’t working out as you had hoped. The work isn’t what was advertised, you clash with your manager and the company expects everyone to work overtime. You thought it would be a step up from your previous job, but it isn’t — and you wish you hadn’t handed in your notice.
During the "Great Resignation" of 2021, record numbers of employees voluntarily quit their jobs in favour of more meaningful work and a better work-life balance. But not everyone found what they were looking for. According to a 2023 survey of 825 employees and 354 employers, 80% of workers who left their jobs during this period later regretted it.
“There are a range of factors that could lead to regret around quitting your job,” says Eloise Skinner, career expert, author and psychotherapist. “You might have set high expectations for the new period of your life that were not met in reality, or you might have thought you could get new work in a different field that didn't materialise.”
Some people may miss things about their previous job, such as the community, cultural values, routine, challenges or opportunities. You may be earning less, or miss the company benefits from your old employer.
“You could also regret not having the identity of your previous role — especially the case if you switched careers entirely, rather than staying in the same industry,” says Skinner.
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“Regret can be a difficult feeling to identify, since it's bound up in so many other things — nostalgia, grief, longing, sadness, and frustration. I'd say you'd normally be experiencing regret if you're reflecting on a particular decision and wishing you had acted differently.”
What to do if you regret quitting your job
Firstly, it’s important to think about why you are unhappy in your new job.
“A reflective path might help you identify why you regret quitting your job,” says Skinner.
“Which values were previously satisfied that are no longer satisfied? How could you replicate or re-establish those values in a new career or job? Or, more broadly, how can you use your positive experience of the previous job to inspire you in your search for the next step?”
If your schedule isn’t working out, you could ask to change your hours or request flexible work. It may be possible to ask for a pay rise in the future, or you might be able to ask for more opportunities or different projects.
If the work isn’t what was advertised, speak to your manager. It can help to have the original job listing to hand, as well as the tasks or responsibilities you do day-to-day, so you can compare the two.
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And remember, it can take time to settle into a new job. You may start to enjoy your role as you relax into your new environment.
“In general, and especially if you're making a significant change of direction, I'd say it might be worth waiting a few weeks before determining how you feel about the process — your initial experiences might be closely related to shock, adjustment and transition, and it might be a while before you can gather a fuller perspective.”
How to get your old job back
Another option is to try to get your old job back, if it is available. According to a 2022 international survey, nearly 20% of workers who quit their jobs during the pandemic have since returned to their old employers.
However, it’s common to romanticise what life was like in your old job — but there will be a reason, or maybe several reasons, why you quit. The problems you encountered may not change, even if you do get your job back.
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“It really depends on the company and each individual's situation, but if you do want your old job back, some possible steps you can take include reaching out to your old supervisor, boss or closest supporter at your previous company, and see if you can meet them for a casual coffee,” says Skinner.
“Chat to them about your experiences since leaving, the things you loved about your previous job, and the things you miss. Ask if they think it's possible to open a conversation about you rejoining — if you're open to it, you might even suggest that you rejoin in a different role or position,” she adds.
“If you know anyone else at the company who has left and rejoined, reach out to them for a discussion as well.”
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