Quitting your job and regretting it is a pretty common problem. But you shouldn’t beat yourself about it so much, as there are many things that you can do to solve it.
First remember that you quit for a reason – you probably weren’t getting paid that well, or were working in a toxic work environment.
I’ve run through everything you can do to bounce back from this.
What Should You Do if You Regret Leaving Your Job?
There are three things you can do if you regret quitting your job. You can either try and make things work at the new company you join, get a new job, or get your old job back. But of course, some of these are easier said than done.
I’ve taken a look at all of these, along with a much-needed action plan below.
What Should You Action Plan Be?
You have to remind yourself why you quit your job first. Once you’ve reminded yourself of this, you won’t regret leaving as much which will help you plan what you’re going to do next properly.
1. Get Your Head in the Game
The first thing you should do is accept the current situation you are in. Remember that you didn’t just quit, and there was a reason that led you to it. This will help you get your head in the game.
2. Weigh Your Options
There are a couple of options that you can take once you’ve made peace with the situation. You can either look for a new job, try and make things work at the place you are currently at, or get your old job back. Weight each of these options and decide which is the best for you.
In my opinion, the easiest would be to try and make things work at the current place you are at. Speak to your new colleagues and get close to them, and find things about your job that you enjoy.
You can of course talk to your supervisor about any changes that you want to make.
3. Be Hopeful About the Future
Remind yourself that the future is uncertain. So, although this problem may seem like the end of the world right now, it is not in the grand scheme of things. You will get over it soon, especially with the tips and tricks in this article.
How Do You Get Your Old Job Back?
The best thing to do is reclaim any favors that you may have at the company. This might not get you your old job back, but at least you can get an interview.
If you don’t have any favors that you can cash in, that’s alright. Speak to your former supervisor and tell them about the situation that you are in.
If you mention how much your old job meant to you, getting it back might be easy. Try emailing them first, and then call them.
Remember to maintain your cool and remind them why you were so good at your job.
There is something to remember – they may let you return, but you may not be able to restart your contract from where you left off. You might have to go in for a new one. So, expect a lower salary than what you had.
What To Do If Going Back to Your Old Job Isn’t an Option?
If going back to your old job is not an option, you can do what I mentioned earlier and try and make things work in the new place you are in.
The first thing you should do is speak to your supervisor. Communicate with them how you’re feeling, and they hopefully would try and accommodate you.
For instance, if it’s a toxic work environment that you’re dealing with, you might be able to arrange working from home.
Getting closer to your colleagues will help adjust to the new work environment as well. You might just regret leaving as you are feeling the blues.
If you don’t want to work things out at the company you currently are in, your only choice would be to find a new job.
LinkedIn can help. Once you’ve made a profile, you will automatically be shown jobs that match what you do. You will also be able to network with others which improves your chances of getting hired.
Remember to look out of the box for job positions that you normally wouldn’t go for as well. There may be a couple that you’re actually great for that you didn’t realize.
Why Did You Quit Your Job?
Understanding why you left your job can help you handle the regret better. This would remind you that you are perhaps better off somewhere else.
You might also realize that you’re overthinking the situation.
Let’s talk about this.
1. You Were Underpaid and Made to Work Overtime
By far, the main reason people quit their jobs is because they are underpaid and overworked.
You are better off somewhere else if this is why you quit. There are countless jobs that pay better and don’t overwork their employees.
2. There Was a Toxic Work Environment
Apart from the above, toxic work environments are another common reason why workers leave.
Toxic work environments can affect your mental health in the long term, so sticking with your old job could have been detrimental.
3. You Wanted to Follow Your Dreams
It’s fine to quit your job to follow your dreams. Many people make a living by turning their passion into their main source of income.
There are several inspiration stories of people doing this. These ideas can be especially tempting if you work at a boring job.
4. The Great Resignation Got to You
The pandemic brought about the Great Resignation. It all started in the spring of 2021 and is still going on.
Although it mostly involves US workers, it has also spread over the world.
Quarantining at home made many people change their outlook and priorities in life, which ultimately caused them to leave their jobs and change careers.
You might feel the same way. This ties in with leaving your job to pursue your passion, and getting tired of working in a toxic environment.
Why Do You Regret Leaving Your Job?
There is no reason for you to work somewhere that has a toxic work environment, or be employed for someone that underpays you.
You made the right move so we need to get into why you may regret it.
1. You Left Too Soon
You may regret the decision as you didn’t take time to think it through. If the decision was rash, it’s natural for you to doubt it. But sometimes rash decisions are the best, as you wouldn’t have gone through with necessary change otherwise.
2. You Didn’t Have a Back-Up Plan
Ideally you would have left with a backup plan, but life does not always work the way you want.
You may not have had a backup plan, and are finding the job market tough. The only piece of advice would be to keep your head held high and keep trying – you will eventually snag an interview.
Try and ask your family if they can support you during this period. You can also pawn or even sell a couple of things.
3. You Don’t Feel Fulfilled in Your Current Position
You may have landed a well-paying job, and work in an environment that is not toxic. However, you may regret leaving your former job as you are not feeling fulfilled in your new one.
This could be due to a number of reasons, but the biggest culprits are that your work does not matter, and finding it hard to integrate into the new work environment.
All these reasons are legitimate but they could just be part of your new role.
4. You Miss Your Old Job
Leaving your job if you were a part of it for years can be difficult. Replacing your former workplace colleagues may also seem impossible which can lead you to wanting your old job back.
5. You Had a Backup Plan and It Failed
Even if you had a backup plan and thought the decision through, you may regret quitting your job because your plan backfired. But this is how life goes. It’s always smart to have a backup plan for your backup plan.
Should You Change Careers?
Last but not least, let’s talk about whether you should consider changing careers. You might be happier with your decision of leaving if you choose a more lucrative field that incorporates your passions in some way. Yes, it might be hard at first to narrow it down, but most job-finding sites have filters that will help you do this.
Plus, you can ask friends and family if they have any connections to get into the field that you want too.
Final Thoughts
There are a couple of things that you can do if you regret quitting your job. You should think about trying to make it work at your new workplace, find a new job, or get your old job back.
Whether you will be able to get your old job back of course depends on a number of different factors, such as if you left on good terms, and whether your position has been filled. Remember to speak to your old company and cash in any favors that you may have.
Websites like LinkedIn can help with finding a new job, if this is something you want to do.
Hopefully you found all of the points discussed useful.
