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“I hate my job. Can I resign after 6 weeks? Or 6 months?”
I’ve been there - despite your best instincts, the new job hasn't turned out as expected. You want to leave, but you’re worried that leaving after a short time will look bad on your CV.
What can you do in this situation?
I’ve been there - despite your best instincts, the new job hasn't turned out as expected. You want to leave, but you’re worried that leaving after a short time will look bad on your CV.
What can you do in this situation?
Firstly: you deserve to be happy.
I know this isn’t easy and comes from a place of privilege. But it’s also not easy to just “suck it up” and continue with a job or a company that doesn't fit. When I’ve tried I’ve ended up miserable, stagnated and horrible to be around.
I know this isn’t easy and comes from a place of privilege. But it’s also not easy to just “suck it up” and continue with a job or a company that doesn't fit. When I’ve tried I’ve ended up miserable, stagnated and horrible to be around.
It’s natural to feel like a failure when you choose the wrong job. It can make you question yourself and your abilities.
And really crap when you feel you have to stick with the wrong role for a year or more just to maintain your employment record.
And really crap when you feel you have to stick with the wrong role for a year or more just to maintain your employment record.
Instead of letting your confidence get lowered by a job you don't like, you can choose to start making positive moves to fix your situation.
Even if you've only been there for a few weeks.
Even if you've only been there for a few weeks.
Secondly: with the right narrative, this won’t be a blemish on your career.
Think about how you’re going to explain this short tenure on your CV and in person. There are a lot of explanations which can be at least acceptable, and maybe even *strengthen* you as a candidate.
Think about how you’re going to explain this short tenure on your CV and in person. There are a lot of explanations which can be at least acceptable, and maybe even *strengthen* you as a candidate.
For the CV itself, keep it simple. List the role, with the start and end dates, and what you achieved.
Don’t add commentary about the short length of the role and don’t say anything remotely negative about the company, or the role.
If you try to obfuscate, people get worried.
Don’t add commentary about the short length of the role and don’t say anything remotely negative about the company, or the role.
If you try to obfuscate, people get worried.
It’s actually really common for people to move and within weeks or months they want to move again. So you don't need to hide it on your CV.
A short role doesn’t automatically move you to the “no” pile. An employment history that looks deliberately unclear raises eyebrows.
A short role doesn’t automatically move you to the “no” pile. An employment history that looks deliberately unclear raises eyebrows.
In an initial conversation with a recruiter or hiring manager, they’ll always ask you why you want to leave.
Again, be totally open.
Honesty now will lower the chances of making the same mistake again!
Again, be totally open.
Honesty now will lower the chances of making the same mistake again!
You can say something simple like:
“I loved the look of this company and was really excited about the opportunities it provided. Things haven’t turned out the way I expected, though, and I’ve decided to at least look at other options before I decide to commit long-term”.
“I loved the look of this company and was really excited about the opportunities it provided. Things haven’t turned out the way I expected, though, and I’ve decided to at least look at other options before I decide to commit long-term”.
Own the process: you did your due diligence and missed something.
It’s not the other company’s fault (even when it is): you made a decision with the information you had, and now you know more you’re reviewing that decision in a calm and measured fashion.
It’s not the other company’s fault (even when it is): you made a decision with the information you had, and now you know more you’re reviewing that decision in a calm and measured fashion.
Two more things to remember:
First: Hiring managers and recruiters know the market. In the North West of England, there is one employer who is noted for its hyper-toxic culture, and barely anybody lasts a year.
You often don’t need to say a culture is bad: they know already.
First: Hiring managers and recruiters know the market. In the North West of England, there is one employer who is noted for its hyper-toxic culture, and barely anybody lasts a year.
You often don’t need to say a culture is bad: they know already.
Second: hiring managers and recruiters are there to hire, not to reject. *They’re looking to say YES to you*.
In fact, they are under immense pressure to build teams and quickly. If you're clear that you had a good reason for your move, you’ll be fine.
Hope that’s helpful :)
In fact, they are under immense pressure to build teams and quickly. If you're clear that you had a good reason for your move, you’ll be fine.
Hope that’s helpful :)
