You’ve landed the new job. You’ve met the team, set up your desk, and started to get your head around how things work. But instead of feeling excited, you feel uneasy. Maybe you’re missing your old colleagues, maybe the culture doesn’t feel right, or maybe you just can’t shake the thought: what if I’ve made a mistake?
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many people go through a period of doubt after a big career change. The good news is, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve chosen the wrong path.
Give yourself time to adjust
Starting somewhere new can be disorienting. You’re learning new systems, new expectations, and new personalities all at once. It’s normal to feel out of place in those first few weeks or even months. Before deciding the job isn’t right for you, give yourself a little time. It can take three to six months to fully settle into a new environment. During that time, focus on learning, listening, and finding small wins that help build your confidence.
Understand your doubts and talk them through
When uncertainty hits, it helps to unpack what’s really behind it. Is it the role itself, or just the adjustment period? Are you missing the sense of competence you had in your previous job, or noticing genuine misalignment with your new workplace values?
Writing down what’s working and what isn’t can help you see the patterns more clearly. Talking it through with someone outside your workplace, such as a mentor, coach or trusted friend, can also bring perspective.
If your doubts persist, consider having an open conversation with your manager. Approach it as a chance to understand expectations or identify small changes that could make your experience better. Sometimes a few adjustments, like clearer priorities, different projects or more feedback, can make a real difference.
The key is to be thoughtful about who you talk to and how you frame the discussion. You’re not complaining; you’re looking for insight and support to help you make things work.
Take steps to make things better
Before you write the whole experience off, look for ways to improve your situation. Can you suggest a project that plays to your strengths? Ask for more clarity around priorities? Connect with colleagues whose work inspires you?
Taking action gives you agency and often shifts how you feel about the role. Even if things don’t change overnight, you’ll have a clearer sense of what’s within your control and what’s not.
Revisit your career goals and values
Sometimes a difficult start can be a valuable wake-up call. It can prompt you to rethink what you want from your career and what environments help you thrive.
If your new job isn’t aligning with the direction you’d hoped for, take that insight seriously. It doesn’t mean you’ve failed; it means you’ve learned something new about what matters most to you.
Know when it’s time to move on
There’s a point where trying to make it work can turn into staying for the wrong reasons. If the job consistently leaves you drained, unmotivated or undervalued, even after honest effort and open communication, it may be time to move on.
Leaving early can feel awkward, but it’s better than staying stuck in a situation that doesn’t serve you. Leave with professionalism, gratitude and clarity about what you’ll look for next time.
A learning experience, either way
Every job teaches you something. Even if this one isn’t the right fit, it’s part of your growth, helping you better understand your values, your strengths, and your non-negotiables.
Changing jobs is a big leap. Sometimes you land smoothly, sometimes not. But each step brings you closer to the kind of work and environment that fit who you’re becoming.
Explore your next step with UTS Open
If you’re rethinking your direction or looking to strengthen your confidence in a new role, UTS Open offers short, flexible courses designed to help you build skills, reconnect with your goals and plan your next move.
