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    • Aug 14, 2022
    • 3 min read

When the new job honeymoon is over 💔

Updated: Apr 10

You went through all the interviews, met all the people, cut the deal that best worked out for and… and now you realize that it’s the same everywhere, that company politics govern everyday life, that they always say they are looking for an innovative, disruptive person to bring change and… and they don’t want to change, because change is hard!

I crossed an ocean for this job. I applied to and secured a job in the department I wanted to move to, I am part of a global team and I like what I do, but the honeymoon is over: I started seeing through the cracks on the newly painted wall and I don’t like what I see.
What is the honeymoon phase?

It’s the time from when you begin a new job until you realize that it’s not for you, or the same everywhere, or you found the level of effort you need to put into it is minimal and now you’re bored. And when people are bored, what do they do? They look for another job.

Looking back, maybe I should’ve asked myself some more questions before taking this job. Something along the lines of:

* Were there any signals? Which ones?
* Should I have asked more about the job itself? Or a more detailed description about how they worked?
* Are there any other relevant factors for me to be happy at work that I did not consider when accepting the offer?

So, what happens when you hit this phase? Or what should you do?

Now, you know you can’t change the past: quitting tomorrow might not be an option because it will most definitely have a financial impact on you and your family. In addition, this could damage your professional reputation, depending on your personal and professional context.
I would like to invite you to consider the following steps, prior to resigning from your job:

* Take time to analyze the whole situation. Decisions made on the spot are not necessarily the smartest.
* Talk to your boss, provide feedback, maybe it’s this lack of communication that’s holding both of you back.
* Make a list of the 5 things that you really like and 5 things that you dislike about the job.
* Share with other people a work situation you might have had and consider their feedback. This will help you gain other insights and make a better informed choice.

Not happy yet? Maybe looking for a new job is the best decision - inside or outside the company.

If you decide to start a new job search, here are some useful tips to begin:

1. Customize your résumé using keywords from your profession
2. Write cover letters answering why am I a good fit for this company and position?
3. Use LinkedIn and other job search sites (depending on where you’re based) to learn about the job market and get a feeling of what’s out there
4. Network! Headhunters, job placement agencies, connect with people who work at other companies of your interest
5. Are you still in doubt? Unsure of how to tackle this process? Reach out to me.

You can:

* Access my best-seller job search Masterclass, where you can learn about effective job search techniques abroad, and you will also access supervised CV / résumé edits.
* Contact me directly here!
* Or shoot me an e-mail with your personal story at info@coach4expats.com

Last but not least, do some introspection! The honeymoon phase may be over, but is it you, is it your boss, the company, what is it exactly that bothers you? You might find some unexpected answers lying deep in your thoughts.













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