When you head into a new job, you’re normally brimming with excitement about what the future may hold now that you’re starting in the role. While being enthusiastic is certainly a good thing, if your first day doesn’t live up to your expectations – or is outright horrible – it may leave you wondering if you made a mistake by coming on board.

After a bad first day, the idea of quitting may even cross your mind. However, don’t head for the door just yet. Often, it’s wise to stick around for at least a bit longer. If you’re wondering why, here’s what you need to know.

Snap, Emotionally-Driven Decisions May Not Be Sound

Usually, your first few days at any job are emotionally charged. You’ve made a major career-impacting decision by accepting the role, and that can come with a lot of emotional weight. Plus, you’re in an unfamiliar situation. You might not fully understand the expectations, feel comfortable with the people, or know how to navigate the environment, all of which can make you anxious.

If your emotional state is heightened, you may not be seeing situations for what they are in reality. Instead, every experience is tinted by what the broader scenario makes you feel. As a result, small issues may seem significantly more worrisome, all because your base level of anxiety is higher throughout the day.

In turn, this may encourage you to make a snap decision based on information that isn’t accurately being perceived. If that occurs, you may walk away from a job that isn’t as bad as it initially appeared, all because you didn’t see it clearly at first.

By waiting, you get a chance to let your base emotional state calm, making it easier to assess the situation accurately. At that point, you can then determine what decision is ultimately right, ensuring you aren’t unfairly judging an opportunity before you do.

You’re Not Facing the Challenge Before Deciding It’s a Deal Breaker

Unexpected challenges are often what make a first day on the job difficult. While you may be prepared for the unknown a bit, if something particularly significant catches you off-guard, it might seem like more than you want to handle, making quitting appear to be a smart move.

However, since you’ve just encountered the challenge, there is a good chance you haven’t fully assessed it. Additionally, being in a new environment means you may overlook resources that could help you overcome it, simply because you aren’t aware that they’re available.

Before you quit, examine the situation carefully. Also, reach out to other people in the organization, especially your manager and direct colleagues. That way, you can gather enough information to determine if what you’ve encountered is actually a deal-breaker that justifies quitting.

Ultimately, a bad first day on the job might not be indicative of a more significant problem. Before you head for the door, take a breath and dig in a bit deeper. That way, you can figure out if leaving is legitimately the right choice.

If you’d like to learn more about what you can do if a job isn’t working out, the team at VB can help. Contact us today.