shortest amount of time at a job

[rikki]

What is the shortest amount of time that you have been at a job? I started my job in January. I had been at my previous job about 3 years and my former boss recruited me to come work with her. The job is drastically different than what was sold to me, the school is in a state of chaos, and my boss is driving me nuts. In addition, it is about 35 miles away from downtown Boston and the commute is getting to me. That said, I respect my boss and take my job seriously so I don't want to do anything crazy.

There is an opening for a position that I am extremely interested in 2 blocks away from my new apartment. I have a friend (acquaintance) that works there and she really enjoys it. I would love to be able to walk to work.

With the divorce I will obviously need to pay more attention to money. Right now I spend $400 a month on gas so that alone would be huge. I think this job would also pay more.

Would you explore it or is it just too soon after taking my current role?

[womet]

Go for it! Your life circumstances are changing, so why can't you also change jobs to better suit those circumstances?

If someone asks you in the future why you left, tell them that the position was vastly different from what you were told.

[Deleted]

Go for it! My philosophy is that it can't hurt to apply because you can always turn down an offer.

I stayed at one job only for about 2 months. I got another offer the day before they offered me a promotion, so instead of accepting the promotion, I gave my notice.

I started applying for new jobs within about 6 weeks of starting here at the Hellhole(TM).

[SJ]

I would definitely apply!

[80sjunkie]

Explore it. If you had several < 1 year stints then it might be an issue, but that isn't the case for you. GL!

[Deleted]

The shortest I ever stayed at a job was six months. I sort of had to burn a bridge to leave it but I was miserable and also hated commuting. I would definitely look into the opportunity.

[Awkward]

Well by the time you would start there it would probably be September, so that puts you at around 8 months. Your job before that was 3 years, so I don't think anyone would accuse you of job hopping! Definitely apply!

[bliss]

I'd definitely explore. I'm of the thinking that if something better and more in line with your career goals comes up you should go for it. Regardless how long you've been with your position. The company would rather have someone who loves it than someone who goes just for the sake of going.

GL! That would be awesome!

[HoneySpider]

Definitely explore it. I think leaving to take a better opportunity is a lot different than say, leaving just because you don't feel like working there anymore.

[Deleted]

Go for it!

[pamela]

My shortest was 3w. Granted, I had been elsewhere in the company for 3 years, but my job was cut and the placed me in another job I hated. Decided to SAHM for awhile with my 3mo old while DH and I both looked for new jobs. I've now been at this one for just over a year and have an interview next week for another position onsite.

I think as long as your resume isn't full of job hopping, it happening once or twice is easy enough to explain.

[jaylea]

I was at my last job for 10.5 months. It wasn't a good fit, and it wasn't worth being miserable.


So I left. And only 1 week into the new job, I know it was a good choice. My boss seemed to take it well, and I don't think I burned any bridges.

[soleil]

Why not explore it? Sounds like a good opportunity.

I was at my previous job for 8 months before I accepted my new position. The job wasn't a good fit, the hours were not doable for me, and the commute was hell (night shift almost an hour and a half drive from where I lived).

You should check the opportunity out--you can always decline if it isn't what you want.

[raangoli]

Count me as another vote to go for it. It sounds like a good opportunity and I am all for going for things rather than sitting around wondering "what if I had..."

Good luck!

[Deleted]

Unless you have a history of job hopping (less than 1 yr at your last 3-5 jobs) I would go for it!

[Deleted]

It's always worth exploring it. The shortest amount of time I have been at a job was 3 days. It was nothing like they had talked about during the interview process. Suddenly there was a ton of travel, physical work, stuff that would send my allergies into over drive, etc.

[ondaflipside]

I'd do it. When I got divorced myself, I used to justify every decision with Mya's song "It's all about me".

I don't see any reason for you to stick around at your current job except maybe the guilt of letting your old boss down. But I'm pretty sure she'd understand and will eventually get over it. Be selfish a little bit. Do things for yourself, and not for others.

[Deleted]

You have nothing to lose, definitely go for it and see what happens.

My shortest stint in a professional capacity was 9mos. It was my first job out of college and I was happy to have seen some inner workings of BigLaw. It was enough to send me running far away from law school ;-)

[315bride]

I think you should at least apply. If you end up getting an offer and taking it, I doubt another employer would judge you. Commute costs is absolutely a good reason to explore work closer to home. There is no reason for you not to be able to leave in good standing.

ETA: My first job after college was my shortest (~ 6 mos) but it was a grant-funded research position and so once the study was done, I was forced to look for work elsewhere.

[ejpint]

I would at least look into it.
My shortest time at a professional job was 9 months. It was an awful, fresh out of college job. I left to go to graduate school. I don't even include it on my resume anymore since it was 10 years ago, and not related to my current profession.
I think as long as you don't have a history of lots of job hopping, one instance of leaving after a short period of time isn't going to hurt your resume. There's no use staying somewhere if you're miserable just so you have an "appropriate" tenure on your resume.

[heygrey]

explore the opportunity! your life is changing, having a fresh start, job and all, could be great as you move forward.

[liveintheville]

I think it's fine. You have very legit reasons for making a change. That commute is brutal.

[anna7602]

I would explore it.

[explorer2001]

It's worth considering. When I was recruited to work somewhere it turned out awful because they thought they owned me since they recruited me (and lied throught their teeth to do so). Of course they also expect insane additional loyalty because they recruited you/got you the job so they expect that you will pit up with any and all BS.

The shortest I was at a job was a summer job on college. Professionally never less than 2 years. I think given the situation (basically not the job you were sold and your entire world being turned upside-down) you can argue/explain the short stay as long as it isn't a pattern on your professional resume.

[hbomdiggity]

My shortest stint was 6 weeks. The workload was not as they promised and I felt I was lied to.

When i had accepted this job, i actually had been waiting on confirmation for a different job, and just took the bird in hand. Well that other job finally called up and I took it. Actually worked to my advantage negotiation wise because I made them 'steal' me away even though I would have left for much less.

[cransplash]

Hi Rikki

I'd say go for it as well. You need to do what is in the best interest for you. Nothing wrong with exploring the opportunity to gain some perspective and knowledge.... and if the fit is really better, then you should absolutely go for it.

GL!

eta: Just sent you a PM.

[Deleted]

Aug 20, 2012 14:47:11 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

Go for it! My philosophy is that it can't hurt to apply because you can always turn down an offer.

This. Good luck!

[sarapocalypse]

Definitely go for it!

My shortest time at a job was 5 months, my first job right out of college. The job itself was okay, but I knew I wasn't cut out for it. On top of that, I had an hour and a half commute (on good days) which drove me crazy. I eventually found something much closer to where I lived and was more in line with my personality.

Good luck!

[flygirl22]

2 months, I was bored out for my mind.. It sounds like a good move for you, go for it!

[MixedBerryJam]

First job after college was as a file clerk at Firemans Fund Insurance. Got there at 8:30, left at noon for lunch, and never went back, not even to pick up my half-day's paycheck.

Beat that!

Oh, and I forgot to comment: definitely go for it, esp since you have a connection ther. Assuming it works out, in no time at all your currnt job will be a blip in your career timeline. Good luck!