If You Instantly Regret Your New Job, You're Not Alone — Here's What You Need to Do ASAP

You’ve landed your dream job — but as soon as you start, you realize everything’s not as it seemed. What do you do?

One Fairygodboss member recently found themself in this predicament and asked for advice on the community feed. 

“After interviewing for months, I recently accepted an offer for an amazing position,” they wrote. “The interviews went great, and I was told that I would be working under one of the supervisors in the meeting. I showed up my first day and was told my supervisor was fired! I found out I would be training with the director instead. I later found out the previous supervisor and the director had issues getting along, and the relationship was less than harmonious. So far, my experience has been pretty good, but I keep thinking about what just happened. Should I be concerned?”

Wondering what to do in a similar situation? Here’s what the Fairygodboss community had to say. 

1. Take a breath.

Before you make any hasty move, take a breath. Is the situation really dire?

“Do NOT be concerned,” Yoli Choates wrote. “The supervisor who was dismissed has nothing to do with you. Try to focus on the job and your responsibilities — especially if you like your job.”

2. Keep an eye on the issue — but give it some time.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be on the alert. All new jobs take time to get used to, but if you’re seeing some, well, pink flags, proceed with caution.

“Just go with the flow and be watchful for everything,” Vidya Raja suggested. “If you have any doubts or concerns, get them cleared right away and then decide for yourself if this is the right job/organization for you. What happened between the director and former supervisor should not be your business at this time. Good luck and you will do just great!” 

“I would stay and go on a listening tour,” Sarah Larson agreed. “Better understand what really happened and what that means for your position.”

3. Steer clear of the drama.

At the same time, it’s important to avoid workplace drama and politics. 

“If you allow yourself to be caught up on this drama, it will not end well,” Maryann Augusta wrote. “People get fired for all sorts of reasons and personality clashes are right on top of them. Just show up for work and be your authentic self.”

4. Bring up issues before they escalate further.

Finally, take note of any important issues and bring them to the attention of management. Minor problems don’t necessarily require immediate attention, but if something big is affecting your work, higher-ups should know.

“Focus on doing your job and developing a good relationship with your supervisor,” Amy Geffen wrote. “Keep your supervisor informed of what you are doing. Don't have any surprises. If you see there is an issue or a concern bring it up before it becomes a bigger problem. It's a good idea to arrange for a weekly meeting at a set time to debrief.”

All roles take some time to adjust. Unless there are huge red flags, give yourself a minute (or several months) to get used to the new job. It could be the best decision you ever make.

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This article reflects the views of the author and not necessarily those of Fairygodboss.

What’s your no. 1 piece of advice for someone who instantly regrets taking a new job?