Shift shock – why it happens and how to avoid it?

What is shift shock?

Shift shock is a sudden, intense sense of disappointment that can hit during the very first weeks after changing jobs. It appears as anxiety, a plunge in motivation, or even thoughts of quitting on the spot when you realise that the company?s day?to?day reality?tasks, culture and growth prospects?looks nothing like what was promised during recruitment. The trigger is a feeling of lost control combined with a lack of support in a chaotic onboarding.

How can you get off to a good start in a new role?

Before you sign the contract, press for specifics: concrete project examples, the way decisions are made and the real challenges facing the team matter far more than a list of perks. During the first ninety days, insist on a clear onboarding plan, well?defined goals and a mentor so that predictability keeps stress down. From day one, deliberately build relationships?join the team for lunch, stay for a brief chat after meetings, look for every chance to ?enter the pack?. All the while, watch whether the company?s values match your own; if something feels off, raise it with your manager early, before mild friction turns into frustration.

What shouldn?t you say in a new job?

Talking only about benefits or superficial ?pluses? soon sounds hollow and, if reality diverges, intensifies shift shock. Focus instead on values, decision?making processes and room for growth, signalling that you want to become a genuine part of the team.

How long does it take to settle into a new job?

The first ninety days are critical: that is roughly how long a full onboarding lasts and how long you need to grasp the culture, processes and expectations. When the company offers consistent support and clear communication throughout this period, the risk of shift shock falls sharply.

Why do I feel bad in my new job?

Most often it is a mismatch between expectations and reality. Recruiters paint pastel pictures, but on day one you see the grey everyday. The flat structure is missing, work?life balance is poor, tasks differ from the promises?so the clash feels like an icy bucket. A chaotic onboarding steals your sense of control: no plan for the first weeks, no adaptation roadmap, every minor task turns into a mountain. The team can?t help because it is unprepared; basic questions echo into a void, leaving you an intruder rather than part of the pack. Loneliness plus pressure leads to rapid burnout. And when the company?s stated ethics collide with a ?targets only? routine, that value conflict undercuts motivation and drains meaning from your work.