The Challenge of Leaving a Long-Term Job to Start Something New

Making a big change can feel both thrilling and perilous. Here's now to navigate these conflicting emotions.

May 06, 2024

Illustration by Sabrena Khadija

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Leaving a company that's been your professional home for years, or decades, is a major shift that can feel both thrilling and perilous. In this article, the authors outline six challenges that often come up when making this transition: 1) Ruminating and second-guessing; 2) Feeling guilty; 3) Being afraid of losing status; 4) Needing to adapt; 5) Managing the perceptions of your new colleagues; and 6) Balancing opposing emotions. They offer advice for how to overcome these six challenges and share strategies to ensure that your new job or career is just as successful as the last one.

Retiring from a job you've been at for most of your career is bittersweet — relishing a chapter successfully concluded, while grappling with the transition into a new phase of life.

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Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning's online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Career Management. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.

What's your next career move? Learn how to set yourself up for success.