How to quit a job you just started

Feeling stuck in a new gig? Thinking of quitting your job without another one lined up? Here are some practical steps to gracefully exit early and find the right path for your career. 

Key takeaways 

• There are real, legitimate reasons to quit a job you just started.
• But before you walk out, you need to create a concrete plan for the future. 
• You also need to make sure you leave in the most respectful way possible.  

You aced the interview, accepted the job offer, and were excited to begin your new position. But as the week wore on, you realized something wasn’t right. Now you’re unhappy in your job and facing a difficult career decision: Should you start looking for a new job, ride it out for a year, or quit without having another job lined up?  

Don’t worry, we’ll walk you through what you need to know about how to quit a job you just started. 

Signs that your new job isn’t a good fit

When it comes to evaluating a new job, it’s important to consider not only how you feel about the position but also the company, your direct manager, your colleagues, and your long-term growth opportunities. Are there things you like about the position? Are there changes you can make to improve the situation? Or is it just time to quit—and maybe even change careers? change careers?

While no one wants to make a snap decision about a job or a career change, here are a few signs that your new position might not be a good fit.

1. Your job duties are different from what you were told during the hiring process 

While some jobs are open ended—especially if the role is new—it can be a red flag if the job you were hired to do is radically different from what you’re actually doing, especially without an explanation from your manager.

In these situations, it’s important to ask yourself a few questions:

• Are you struggling because you don’t feel supported by co-workers or your manager?
• Are you spending more time on the other duties you’ve been assigned versus your established day-to-day responsibilities?
• Are you being asked to do significantly more—or less—than you were hired to do?
• Do you feel like your job title and compensation match the workload? 
• Are you comfortable with these changes?

If you answered “no” to any of these questions, it might be worth having a conversation with your manager. Be honest and direct with them without bordering on impolite or unprofessional. Come prepared with a plan for how you’d like to change your role and try to leave the meeting with something concrete you and they can do to improve the situation. Your manager might appreciate your feedback and could be willing to adjust the role so that it’s a better fit. And if they don’t, their feedback—or lack thereof—may give you the answer you need to decide to leave.

2. The company is the wrong cultural fit

During your interviews, everyone was polite and greeted you with a smile. Now that you’re a part of the team, it’s clear that everyone was simply on their best behavior. So what do you do?

While some initial tension or employee differences are normal—like communication styles between generations—a lack of culture fit can be a clear sign that your new job isn’t the right one for you. This is particularly true if your work environment feels hostile, aggressive, or unsafe. Someone who is used to a talkative office might be able to adapt to a quieter office, but it’s important to consider the long-term implications of remaining at a job that’s the wrong fit.

3. You’ve got a “gut feeling” that something is off

Maybe your new job is going okay, the office culture is decent, but something still doesn’t feel right.

There are two approaches you can take in this situation: Go with your gut or wait and see. Don’t be afraid to talk to a friend, career coach, or trusted advisor about the situation. In doing so, you may be able to unpack the hesitations you’re feeling or dispel them to make a better decision.

Make a plan before quitting

If you’ve thought it through and decided that it’s time to move on from this job, it’s important to plan your next steps before you quit. Here’s where to start.

Prepare for a new job search

It’s typically easier to find a new job when you have a job. Right or wrong, employers gravitate towards candidates who are currently working. Once you’ve made the decision to leave, take this time to start a job search that will result in the best long-term fit for you. Consider whether full-time work is ultimately what you’re looking for—maybe you want to start your own company, take on a temporary or contract position, or consult instead. If the reason you hate your current job, for instance, has to do with scheduling, determine how you’d prefer to work—whether that’s fully remote, hybrid, or in office—before you start targeting new jobs.

Update your resume

Depending on which career path you decide to take, you’ll likely need to update your resume to add your recent position and any new skills you’ve obtained. If you have a LinkedIn profile, make sure to update that as well. Consider how you want to position your job change. Hiring managers will likely want to know why you’re looking to leave a new role so quickly. While job hopping has become more commonplace, it can sometimes be a red flag if you’ve left several positions back to back. People leave jobs for many reasons—it’s important to own your story and succinctly share why you’re looking to make a move.  

Consider whether you have enough savings

Do you need a new job immediately? Are you considering contract or consulting opportunities? Know what you’re looking for and the compensation you’re expecting given the different ways in which you may be working. Job searching without financial pressure is ideal and could mean sticking it out in your current job while you hunt for your next opportunity.

Find a specialized recruiter

Looking for a new job can be stressful, especially if you’re working full time in a position that’s not a good fit. One tip that may help: Consider partnering with a recruiter who specializes in your field. Recruiters have exclusive access to open jobs in need of qualified talent. Let the recruiters in your network know you’re on the market and learn what opportunities they have for you.

Lean into your support system

Starting a new job is exciting and nerve-racking, but finding out it isn’t a good fit adds another layer of emotion and complexity. The most important thing to remember is to take care of yourself, especially your mental health. Talking through your situation with supportive family members, friends, mentors, or even a therapist can help. Your support system provides alternative perspectives that may ultimately lead you to a new, better job. Speak openly with them, gather their feedback, and apply it to your new job search.

Everything you need to know about quitting a new job

Once you’ve come up with a plan, you can start preparing your resignation. While some people might be worried about burning bridges with their new employer, it is possible to quit a new job without damaging your reputation. Your past employer may provide a positive reference if you leave your job respectfully with sufficient notice.

Here are some steps to keep in mind.

1. Write a resignation letter

A resignation letter is a formal document letting your employer know you are leaving the company. This letter does not have to be complex. It can be as simple as notifying your employer of your last day at the company and including a message thanking them for the opportunity. We recommend saving the letter as a PDF document and notifying your manager before you send the email or hand deliver it. 

Also, make sure to check your employment agreement for any details on the amount of notice you are required to give. If it’s not specified, giving two weeks’ notice is standard business practice and common courtesy. We don’t recommend quitting without notice or walking out on the job. But, of course, there may be some extenuating circumstances that make doing so unavoidable. Ultimately, the amount of time you stay at the job after submitting your resignation letter will be based on your unique situation. Depending on your tenure—no matter how brief—and responsibilities, it may be worth it to offer a longer transition period to demonstrate that you don’t want to leave the company scrambling for your replacement.

2. Tell your manager

When it comes to quitting a new job, in person is always best. However, that might not be an option if you’re working remotely. In that case, try to avoid sending your resignation over email. Schedule a meeting or a phone call first and take a copy of your resignation letter with you.  

This might be an awkward encounter, especially if you’re quitting a job you just started. Keep the conversation professional and be prepared to answer questions about why you’re leaving after such a short amount of time. It doesn’t have to be scripted, but you should know the points you’d like to make. It’s a small world and you never know when you may cross paths with your manager—or anyone else at the company—again.  

3. Get ready for a possible exit interview

Many companies conduct exit interviews, giving their human resources (HR) department a chance to ask questions about your time as an employee. This is also an opportunity for you to provide feedback about your experience. Be honest about your reasons for leaving, and just like the conversation with your manager, be mindful about your tone and delivery.  

Don’t use your exit interview to complain about the situation. Instead, offer polite feedback on why the position didn’t work out for you. Were the job responsibilities too much for any one person? Was more training needed? Did something happen with another employee to prompt your exit? This is all useful information for HR to know.  

4. Be prepared for an immediate dismissal

You’re doing the right thing by giving two weeks’ notice, but your employer may decide that isn’t necessary and ask you to leave immediately. This can be an uncomfortable situation, so make sure to talk through how your employment separation will be documented and carefully read anything your employer asks you to sign. 

If you’re not sure how your company will react to your resignation, plan for the worst-case scenario. That way, you aren’t left scrambling if you’re asked to leave earlier than you anticipated.

Why it’s okay to resign from a job you just started

Most people hold numerous jobs during their lifetime. A 2024 U.S. Department of Labor’s Chief Evaluation Office survey found that the average length of time workers had been at their current jobs was 3.9 years, down from 4.1 in 2022. For someone who works from age 18 until the average retirement age of 61, that’s roughly 11 jobs in their lifetime. With that many jobs on your career journey, you’re likely to have one or two roles that don’t last very long. You’re also likely to have roles that are a great fit and last for years.

While no one wants to quit a job they just started, it’s more common than you may think. Do what you can to make the situation work for you, but don’t feel pressured to stay in a job that isn’t a good fit for you long term. Whether you plan to stick it out a while longer or want to submit your resignation right away, always consider your professional goals. This isn’t a decision to be taken lightly, but you need to be a champion of your own career.  

If you’re looking for a better opportunity, contact us today—we’ll help you find what’s next.

FAQ: How to quit a job you just started