You see the ad. The job looks very interesting. You send the application right away. You take the position. You are full of joy. You can’t wait to get started.

You go to the new job. Disappointment. Reality doesn’t live up to your expectations. Experts argue that what you feel is the shock you experience when you are faced with a condition very different from the one you expected. This is a very common phenomenon.

As Kathryn Minshew, who coined the term, explains, displacement shock equates to “the feeling you get when you start a job and realize, with surprise or even sadness, that the position or company is very different from what you expected.” A related survey by The Muse revealed that 72% of the 2,500 respondents had experienced such an experience.

There are many reasons that can give rise to shift shock: For example, the working hours are different from those you had agreed, the responsibilities are more than those that belong to an employee or the company culture is disappointing.

Whatever the cause, the result is that it leads employees to immediately consider quitting. Surely, the first thing you will think is: Why force yourself to stay in a job you don’t like, when you can find a better one? Even so, however, you will have to go through the search process, the interviews, the anxiety all over again… So how can you avoid this? And how do you tell if the shock of the shift is just the stress of the first few days or a good sign that you really need to leave?

“Starting a new job is a big change that triggers strong emotions,” LinkedIn career expert Charlotte Davies admits to Stylist. “New hours, commuting, new responsibilities, meeting new colleagues and adjusting to the company culture can all contribute to an initial feeling of shock, which is very normal.”

Transparency is key

It is obvious that any element of the job that is agreed upon and not put into practice can cause shock.

“Transparency during the interview is key, both from the employer’s point of view and from the candidate’s point of view,” explains Davies. “It’s important to be honest about the company culture and the requirements of the position, so that candidates get clear information about what they will face if they take the position.”

Of course, you cannot control how honest the employer will be. But there are some things you can do to avoid the shock of change.

Talk to the employees

Before you go to the interview, gather as much information as you can about what the day-to-day life of someone who works at that company is like. “This can be a lifesaver before you say yes to the job,” says Davies.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions

“If something is important to you, you should know it from the start,” emphasizes Davies. “Ask your prospective employer questions to understand if the company culture aligns with your requirements,” he adds. Questions about any overtime, workload, leave and more are information you have a right to know, so don’t hesitate.

However, even if you finally accepted the job and were disappointed by what you are experiencing, you don’t have to pretend that everything is fine. There are things you can do before giving up seems like a one-way street. Start, for example, with your boss. Explain to that person your concerns and ask if anything can be done to resolve the problem.

Give it time

If the disappointment came quickly, it is good to have a little patience and see if, with the passage of time, you will continue to feel the same way. By giving time to your new reality, you’ll be able to better assess whether your concerns are really that serious, whether they’re reversible or not, or even if it’s just the stress of the beginning. You will also have the opportunity to chat with your new colleagues and learn more about the company and your daily life.

Davies suggests taking “at least 3 to 6 months before making any serious decisions. Give yourself the necessary time to adjust and, at the same time, face your concerns honestly.”