Should I take a job I'm not excited about?
If it will help you achieve goals down the line, it's a step up in your career, or you're unemployed, accepting might be a good idea. If there isn't much of a pay difference, or you're gainfully employed and this won't make you much happier than your current role, you should reject it.
If a position is not perfect and does not have any benefits, there may be no real reason to accept the role unless you need a steady paycheck right away. If you can wait for a job that offers a benefits package, consider doing so. You'll feel more stable, confident and happy with your new position if you do.
It's OK for the nerves and anxiety not to instantly disappear once you start your job. It takes a long time to settle in and start feeling comfortable in your new surroundings, so it's completely normal to feel nervous for a number of weeks after you start.
- The Salary Isn't Right. ...
- It Takes Forever to Get Benefits. ...
- It Doesn't Offer What You Want. ...
- There's No Clear Path. ...
- The Job Duties Are Mysterious. ...
- There's a Revolving Door. ...
- You Don't Like the Mission. ...
- The Hiring Process Was Subpar.
While you might be right, it never hurts to apply and get a sense of where you stand. Whether an employer sets an interview or not, you might receive feedback that can help you determine where your experience and skill level positions you in the job market.
Rather than putting in your two weeks' notice when the going gets tough or when another opportunity arises, Welch says employees should stay at their current job for at least one year before moving on to something new.
“I usually recommend at least a year, but sometimes you just know when an opportunity isn't right,” she said in a recent Facebook post. Bennington suggests asking yourself three questions: Is this position contributing to my long-term goals? Am I growing professionally?
Career change is a gamble and it may sometimes lead to regret. Instead of panicking you should plan your next steps carefully and salvage the situation. Changing careers is a big decision and is usually a little bit of a gamble. You are not just changing jobs but also getting into a new line of work.
When you start a new job, it's normal to feel an extra level of uncertainty or even anxiety, but feelings of discomfort generally go away as you gain confidence in your position. However, it's also possible that the position wasn't what you were expecting or what the hiring manager promised you.
Ultimately, remember that you are more worried about the awkwardness of being new at the job than anyone else is. The rest of your new colleagues are just going about their daily routines. The best part is that in six weeks or so, most of your anxiety will fade.
Is it OK to accept a job offer and then decline?
Yes. Technically, anyone can turn down a job offer, back out of a job already started, or renege on an acceptance at any point. Most states operate with what is called “at will employment.” This means the employee and the employer are not in a binding contract.
It's natural to feel some regret when making a decision, especially when it involves something as important as a job or internship opportunity. However, it's important to remember that it's generally not considered acceptable to take back a job offer once you have declined it.

In most cases, you can decline a job offer after you have accepted it. If you've signed an employment agreement, check the legal implications before you withdraw your acceptance. If you can, it's better to have a conversation in person or on the phone to explain why you have decided not to take the job.
- Look for opportunities for growth. ...
- Rate your satisfaction. ...
- Analyze your feedback. ...
- Assess your motives. ...
- Look for signs of passion. ...
- Recognize stagnation. ...
- Evaluate your work-life balance. ...
- Examine your relationship with your boss.
It's not uncommon to start having some doubts and second thoughts once the initial excitement of being offered a new job has faded, but the answer to whether you're doing the right thing for you is exactly that - down to you!
Quiet quitting doesn't actually refer to quitting a job—it means completing one's minimum work requirements without going above and beyond or bringing work home after hours.
If you know you want to quit, without question, then it's often best to stick it out for two weeks when possible. However, there are instances where remaining for two weeks, or even one week, might not be in your best interest and, in some instances, could cause more harm than good to your well-being.
Keep a positive tone.
You don't need to explain why you're quitting. Tell your boss that you thought long and hard, and it wasn't an easy decision to make. If your manager presses you for an explanation, simply say that you feel leaving is the best decision for both you and the company.
Experts agree that you should stay at your place of employment for a minimum of two years. It's enough time to learn new skills and build your qualifications, while short enough to show that you value growing in your career.
How often do millennials job-hop? According to Zippia, on average, a millennial will stay at their job for 2.75 years. And according to a Gallup report on the millennial generation, 21% of millennials surveyed report changing jobs within the past year – more than three times the rate of other generations.
How long is too long without a job?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics defines long-term unemployment as a period of more than 27 weeks (or about 6 months). Half a year without a job is enough to give anyone cause for concern.
- Think about how you approached the job search. ...
- Identify the source of discontent. ...
- Determine whether the situation is temporary. ...
- Explore options to make things better. ...
- Find professional development opportunities. ...
- Change your mindset. ...
- Carefully consider your next step.
- Values Do Not Align. ...
- You Have No Idea How Your Role Impacts the Company. ...
- Your Daily Activities Do Not Match the Job Description. ...
- You Feel Negative About Work. ...
- You Have Lost Your Passion. ...
- You Are Uncomfortable Speaking Up. ...
- You Are Not Getting Along with Coworkers or Management.
It's not just flattering that an old employer wants you back. It can be a sign of how much they truly value you, and that's worth its weight at any company, new or old. “They're coming after you and only you, and they're serious about making it work for you,” Kathy Robinson, an executive coach, said.
It's not terrible form to leave one job after a few months; just don't make such short stints a habit—red flags arise if this behavior seems to be chronic. Repeated job-hopping can convey an inability to assess a company or role, demonstrate a lack of focus, or raise concern around what led to your departures.
Your brain can't predict the new environment.
Stepping into a brand-new position means your brain doesn't know what to expect. This lack of confidence about the future creates anxiety. And when we're anxious and uncertain, we default to inaction to avoid potential threats.
I've started my new job — but I'm still mourning my old work life. That's totally normal, and everyone processes career transitions differently. Some people might not be fazed when they leave behind a role they considered profound. Others might feel sadness or a sense of loss they don't understand.
One of the common challenges new managers face is imposter syndrome at work. Imposter syndrome is a condition that many experiences when starting, and it's characterized by feelings of insecurity and self-consciousness about one's abilities. Studies have demonstrated it to be highly prevalent.
Reach out to your main point of contact at the company — usually the hiring manager or the internal recruiter responsible for filling the position — and explain that you have another offer on the table, but if the folks at Company B and you can come to an agreement, you'd really prefer to join their team.
It's perfectly OK to tell the company that's offering you a job that you're waiting on another offer to come in. You can say something like: “This seems like a great opportunity and I am thrilled to receive the offer. I am waiting to hear from another firm and would like to weigh all my options before deciding.
What are good reasons for declining a job offer after accepting?
- Family circumstances prevent you from being able to accept the offer.
- You received a better offer or opportunity elsewhere.
- After further consideration, the company values/location/salary/work hours/culture will not be the best fit for you.
While it may be considered the ethical choice to stick with your the original job offer, you have every right to take back your acceptance if you're hired as an at-will employee. If you signed a contract, check the fine print to look for stipulations about rescinding your acceptance.
A verbal job offer, which is made and accepted formally, is legally binding on both the parties. However, it's a bit more complicated than a written agreement since you must establish the terms of employment at the time of the offer.
Being happy at work and loving what you do is an overall productivity booster and enhances performance. People who enjoy their jobs are more likely to be optimistic, motivated, learn faster, make fewer mistakes, and better business decisions.
You Should Consider Taking a Job If
Sometimes a particular role isn't perfect, but it will help you get the experience necessary for your dream position. And if it's going to get you closer to the position you ultimately want to end up in, then it could be worth taking—even if it's not exactly what you're looking for.
Common challenges during the first week of a new job include information overload, little work and fitting into the company culture. To make the most of your first week, confirm your working hours and introduce yourself to your team. Arrive early every day, and don't be afraid to ask questions.
Many things about starting a job can induce anxiety. You have a new workplace to get used to commuting to, a new office, and new managers. Everything is unfamiliar, and you're still getting comfortable. This may be a significant career change for you, and you're anxious about experiencing failure.
- Be clear about what you can and can't control. ...
- Take time to look after yourself. ...
- Make a list of pros and cons. ...
- Make the most of your downtime. ...
- Change how you think about your work. ...
- Talk to someone. ...
- Make a plan to find different work.
Sometimes there are steps you can take to improve a job—even one you really dislike. But often, if you truly hate your job, you might need to quit. Even when you hate your job, and are eager to quit, it's important to leave your job on good terms with your employer and coworkers, if possible.
- Remember why you took the job. Remind yourself why you applied for your job and why you chose that field or industry. ...
- Identify your goals. ...
- Have a positive perspective. ...
- Improve your skills. ...
- Get some training. ...
- Embrace your small achievements. ...
- Reward yourself. ...
- Set boundaries.
Is it normal to regret taking a job?
While the tight jobs market may mean that the ball is in the court of many a worker, nearly three-quarters of those who quit for a new job said they felt surprise or regret, according to a survey earlier this year from career-coaching company The Muse, and nearly 50% said they would try to get their old job back.
- Assess the situation. Before you make a decision, assess your situation and consider how you feel. ...
- Consider your options. ...
- Make preparations. ...
- Inform your employer. ...
- Finish working. ...
- Consider your future. ...
- Find new employment.
- Write down your talking points. Write down what you want to say and the potential answers you might receive. ...
- Stay calm. Remain calm so you can express your emotions in a healthy way to your boss. ...
- Explain why you're no longer happy in the position. ...
- Offer a solution. ...
- Listen.
Even though you've only been with the company for a short period of time, giving two weeks' notice is appropriate. (Some companies even have a set policy for how many weeks' notice is required.) But if you have the flexibility, you could offer to stay for three or four weeks, if your manager prefers it.
Yes, doing something you hate every day can take a toll on your body, but a dislike of your job is less likely to manifest itself in your body the same way true burnout would. If symptoms like headaches, backaches, panic attacks, or stomach issues are weighing you down, it's likely burnout that you're dealing with.
Leaving a job shortly after you've started can be a red flag to future employers. Most professionals believe you should stay at a job for a minimum of one year to show some level of commitment before moving on.
Study after study shows that the effects of job unhappiness can impact your overall mental health, causing problems with sleep, anxiety, and depression.
Generally, when you don't want to go to work, the underlying reasons lie within a few categories: work, home, health, and expectations. Each of these factors could be contributing to feeling like you don't want to work anymore. You don't want to go to work because of the work environment.
An “introductory period” is period of time established by an employer after the hire of an employee during which the employer and the employee evaluate whether a successful employment relationship can be created.
In most cases, you can decline a job offer after you have accepted it. If you've signed an employment agreement, check the legal implications before you withdraw your acceptance. If you can, it's better to have a conversation in person or on the phone to explain why you have decided not to take the job.