Thinking of Changing Job? What to Consider Before Taking the Next Step

23 January 2026

The start of a new year is a natural time of reflection. You may find yourself thinking more about your life, your goals, or perhaps your career. For many people, the return to work after the holidays can spark thoughts around a new role, fresh challenges, or a different workplace environment. It can be a time we ask ourselves: Am I truly satisfied in my current role? Is it supporting my growth and wellbeing?

Job satisfaction is not just about pay or perks, it has a profound impact on mental health. Feeling undervalued, stuck, or unfulfilled can lead to stress, low motivation, and even burnout. On the other hand, a role that aligns with your skills, passions, and career aspirations can energise you, improve your focus, and contribute positively to your overall wellbeing.

Should You Stay or Should You Go

As PSI Chartered Member and Organisational Psychologist Ruth Mullally recently highlighted in the Irish Examiner article, ‘Workplace Wellbeing: Should you stay or should you go?’:

“If there are no more learning opportunities and you feel you can gain better experience elsewhere, if there is no career progression, if there are better working conditions and salary in another role, if you’re not getting on with your manager or there’s tension in the workplace, or if there’s a lack of recognition and you feel undervalued, the time could be right to leave.”

Of course, everyone can have a few bad days at work, but if feelings of frustration, disengagement, or dissatisfaction become persistent rather than temporary, this may signal that something deeper needs attention.

Reflect Before You Leap

Before firing off your letter of resignation and bounding out the door, take some time to pause and reflect.

Consider:

What aspects of your current role do you enjoy most?
What challenges or frustrations make you unhappy?
Are there opportunities for growth or skill development?
Could changes in your work environment such as flexible hours or a new team setup improve your satisfaction?

Even small adjustments can sometimes make a big difference. However, if honest reflection suggests that it may be time for a new role, taking a thoughtful and considered approach to your next steps is key.

Plan Your Next Move

When considering a job move, it is worth giving the process the time and attention it deserves. Career decisions can have a lasting impact, and investing time in to exploring your options, understanding what you want from your next role, and researching potential employers can help you make a more confident and informed choice. Seeking guidance from a coach or mentor, building new skills through training, or engaging with industry events and professional networks can also provide valuable perspective, helping you clarify your direction and opening up opportunities you may not have considered.

Tips for Starting a New Job

Changing jobs can be exciting, but also stressful. How you approach the first few months can shape your experience and career trajectory. Here are some practical tips:

Prepare and Research:
Understand your new organisation’s culture, structure, and priorities. The more you know ahead of time, the easier it is to integrate and build credibility.
Build Relationships Early:
Make connections with peers, key stakeholders, and team members. Ask questions, listen actively, and seek out mentors or colleagues who can guide you.
Set Realistic Goals:
Agree on expectations with your manager and create a short-term plan for your first few months. This doesn’t have to be rigid but should give you direction and milestones.
Focus on Wellbeing:
Starting a new role can be demanding. Prioritise sleep, exercise, and downtime. Celebrate small wins and give yourself permission to adjust gradually.

Your First 90 Days: A Roadmap

The following guidance has been adapted from material compiled by PSI Chartered Member and Work and Organisational Psychologist Vera Costello, and LHH Outplacement.

It is intended as a supportive framework to help you feel settled, confident, and effective as you find your feet in a new role.

First 30 Days – Get to Know Your New Environment

The first few weeks are about observation, learning, and adjustment. Take time to understand how things are done and how people work together. Every organisation has its own pace and expectations. In some, “hitting the ground running” is encouraged, while in others a more gradual, relationship-focused approach works best. Paying attention to this rhythm can help you integrate more smoothly.

During this time, you might focus on:

Immersing yourself in the culture.
Agreeing a 30/60/90-day plan with your manager, including priorities and expectations.
Asking questions and starting to build connections across your team.
Gaining insight from recent joiners.
Meeting key stakeholders.
Becoming familiar with the organisation’s direction and how your department contributes.
Understanding team structures, roles, and communication styles.
Attending onboarding and any required training, and ensuring you have the right IT access and tools in place

First 60 Days – Settle In and Start Contributing

By your second month, you should feel more comfortable in your role and ready to contribute more actively. This is a good time to build visibility, strengthen relationships, and begin shaping how you work within the team. Listening carefully, showing curiosity, and bringing a human, empathetic approach can go a long way in building trust and credibility.

At this stage, it can be helpful to:

Check and clarify your understanding of priorities and expectations so far.
Talk with your manager about progress, upcoming work, and any challenges.
Review short-, medium-, and longer-term goals and adjust plans where needed.
Ensure your objectives align with your team’s focus and your own career direction.
Reflect on communication styles and deepen connections with colleagues.
Keep an eye on work–life balance as your workload increases.
Explore mentoring or development opportunities.
Take on opportunities to represent your work or contribute more broadly.
Continue building relationships with key internal and external contacts.

First 90 Days – Build Confidence and Look Ahead

By the three-month mark, you are likely to have a clearer sense of your role, your place in the organisation, and how you can add value. This is a good moment to reflect on what you’ve learned, the progress you have made, and how the role feels overall.

You might ask yourself:

Did they make the right decision to hire me, and did I take the right job?
Does this role feel like a good fit for me, and can I see future potential?

As you move forward, you may want to:

Continue to build credibility and aim for a few meaningful wins.
Stay flexible as priorities shift and new information emerges.
Share ideas or insights that could help improve ways of working.
Strengthen your support network and key relationships.
Review how you are managing your time and responsibilities.
Gradually delegate more, where appropriate, and refine your focus.

Book Recommendations

The following recommendations have been compiled by PSI Chartered Member and Work and Organisational Psychologist Vera Costello.

For transitionary periods:

Designing your Life - Bill Burnett and Dave Evans

A book that shows how design thinking can help us create a life that is both meaningful and fulfilling, regardless of who or where we are, what we do or have done for a living, or how young or old we are.

What Colour is Your Parachute? - Richard N. Bolles

This book, and its famed self-assessment exercise, clarifies seven key dimensions, so you can uncover your greatest passions, most valued traits, and transferable skills to design a life that enables you to flourish.

The Squiggly Career - Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis

A book about navigating work in a way that suits you. In today’s world of “squiggly careers”, moving between roles, industries, and even careers is increasingly common. While this can feel unsettling at times, learning how to navigate change can lead to greater opportunity, flexibility, and purpose.

Managing Transitions - William Bridges and Susan Bridges

This classic bestseller provides practical, step-by-step strategies for times of organisational change, to minimise disruptions and navigate uncertainty.

For a change of outlook:

Atomic Habits - James Clear

A practical guide to habit formation that shows how small, consistent changes in behaviour can lead to meaningful personal and professional growth over time.

Mindset - Carol Dweck

This book explores how adopting a growth mindset can support learning, resilience, and long-term success.

The CEO whisperer - Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries

An exploration of leadership from a psychological perspective, examining how self-awareness, emotions, and behaviour shape effective leadership at the highest levels.