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

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I recently left an organisation after almost a decade. I still loved working there, but there was no hope of further progression as it was an SME with limited opportunities.

I started a new role in the CS six weeks ago. On paper it should be perfect - it's a professional role, a considerable pay rise, the wider package (pension, flexibility, holidays etc) is better than my previous organisation. My new team are lovely. My line manager especially is really supportive.

But something just doesn't feel right. I can't work out whether it's just because the CS is so different to organisations that I've worked in before, or whether it actually isn't right for me. I used to enjoy going to work, now I'm fairly indifferent.

How long does it normally take to settle into a new role and organisation?

I started a new role nine months ago (first time in the profit-making private sector) and I still feel unsettled.

Six weeks really isn't long to figure out a new role, especially if you've completely changed sector and have a new working culture to adjust to. The more complex the role, the longer it takes to bed in as well.

Thanks for your responses. Reassuring to know that other people take a while to settle too.

I'm probably just being impatient. I'm so used to knowing what I'm doing, it's quite unsettling to be quite clueless again!

I also miss my old colleagues. I met four of them for lunch last week and felt quite sad afterwards.

Takes me about a year to feel properly settled. I've been in my current role 2 years and it feels easy, as in I'm not stressed, I know what I'm doing, and am happy to go to work. Others may take a shorter time of course.

Changing jobs can be a lot harder than you think. It's where you spend a huge amount of your time, I see my colleagues more than my family during the week. Give it some more time, it's never nice being the newbie.

More than six weeks!

Especially after a decade in your old role.

It takes time to adjust to change, it's normal for it to feel uncomfortable. That's just part of the adjustment process.

Most people I know would say 6-12 months for a new workplace to start to feel like "home".

Public and private sector operate to very different unspoken rules. It normally takes our new starts more like 6 months to 'get it'

Statistically it takes at least 6 months. You're doing fine!

Honestly about 6 months to a year, it's only when something comes around for a second time, like Christmas that I feel truly settled. That's why I've only had 2 jobs in the last 23 years, I don't like change!

I moved from a 20 year job in the private sector to CS about 18 months ago. It took me at least 3 months to get used to the totally different sector and working in the CS.... probably another 3 months on top of that to feel settled in my job. I don't like change either so im happy to stay put now until I retire 😂😂

I think it takes around a year to properly settle into a new job!

Thanks all. Maybe I'm just trying to run before I can walk.

at Least 3 months, 6 is more realistic. More is it’s a sector change or very different job, and also id say more given you were at your old org a long time

I went from 16 years in public sector to private and it took me two months to feel happy in the job, even after 6 months I'm still finding my way. What helped me was the Christmas party and a very good boss.

Coincidentally I never settled into my old role and I did that for 3 years.

6-12 months in my experience

I joined the CS at quite a mature age. I’d always worked in a commercially hard driven environment so the CS was a total change of pace.
I worked very hard to understand the technicalities of my new job so with Line Management permission I took things I was unsure about home with me to get a grip on what I needed to know and cope with what was expected of me.

That worked well for me and within 6 months I’d relaxed because I knew what I was doing and could be very efficient in my new role. I was promoted within 18 months.

You’ll be fine. As others have said, it might take longer but be gentle on yourself. Check in with your line manager every so often and before you know it you’ll be enjoying the job.