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Job-hopping = bad?
exis
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
A little context (probably skippable):
So my question:
Is it bad form to leave a job after six months? Would future employers look at a CV and say "hmm, looks disloyal"? I would have said that was enough time for someone to reasonably say "hey this place isn't for me" without it reflecting poorly upon their character. Am I wrong here?
My girlfriend graduated as a speech & language therapist at the end of 2009. She (and most of her graduating class) struggled to find a job for awhile, partly because of recession-related issues, and partly because SLT positions are particularly difficult to get in our city (there are jobs, but everyone wants to work here). Around September last year she landed a job at a hospital in a city about an hour away (flying). Since then we've been doing the long distance thing, and visiting one another roughly once per month. She has some friends up there, and for the most part her job is okay, but she talks a lot about wanting to move back down here. The initial plan was that she'd work there for a year, then apply for work down here - with a years experience she would be much more competitive in applications.
This week a job showed up that was pretty much perfect for her. Working with kids (which she loves doing and has been wanting to do more of), at a place which she's said several times would be her ideal workplace. It's also here. It's pretty much the job that she's been hoping would turn up. I pushed her to apply for it - these positions are in high demand, but you have to at least try, right? She was hesitant because she felt that she owed her current employer some sort of loyalty for giving her the chance that she got. My position on this is that it's not like they 'gave' her anything - she's good at her job and they hired her because they benefit from having her there. She doesn't owe them anything more than the work that she's been doing.
While organising her CV, she asked her colleague/head of her department (who she's quite close with) about her reference. She was basically told it wasn't a good idea because it "would look bad". I don't think she was clear whether she meant it would look bad to her current employer to have her applying elsewhere, or to any future employers for leaving a job after less than six months. Either way, my girlfriend values her opinion - and is also very afraid of making a mistake that might cost her a future opportunity - so she decided not to apply for this other job. Her plan is now to just wait out the next six months.
I mostly find this frustrating because the colleague that she spoke with is well aware of our situation - and the fact that she is in her current position with the intent of padding her CV enough to get a job in her old city. It can't have been a surprise that she was considering other options.
This week a job showed up that was pretty much perfect for her. Working with kids (which she loves doing and has been wanting to do more of), at a place which she's said several times would be her ideal workplace. It's also here. It's pretty much the job that she's been hoping would turn up. I pushed her to apply for it - these positions are in high demand, but you have to at least try, right? She was hesitant because she felt that she owed her current employer some sort of loyalty for giving her the chance that she got. My position on this is that it's not like they 'gave' her anything - she's good at her job and they hired her because they benefit from having her there. She doesn't owe them anything more than the work that she's been doing.
While organising her CV, she asked her colleague/head of her department (who she's quite close with) about her reference. She was basically told it wasn't a good idea because it "would look bad". I don't think she was clear whether she meant it would look bad to her current employer to have her applying elsewhere, or to any future employers for leaving a job after less than six months. Either way, my girlfriend values her opinion - and is also very afraid of making a mistake that might cost her a future opportunity - so she decided not to apply for this other job. Her plan is now to just wait out the next six months.
I mostly find this frustrating because the colleague that she spoke with is well aware of our situation - and the fact that she is in her current position with the intent of padding her CV enough to get a job in her old city. It can't have been a surprise that she was considering other options.
So my question:
Is it bad form to leave a job after six months? Would future employers look at a CV and say "hmm, looks disloyal"? I would have said that was enough time for someone to reasonably say "hey this place isn't for me" without it reflecting poorly upon their character. Am I wrong here?
exis on
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It sounds like her boss is trying to keep her from quitting, which is reasonable. I wouldn't use her as a reference.
Well it's a sticky situation since this is her first job (in SLT). While she had some practical experience during her degree, it doesn't really stack up against the amount she's learned and practised over the last six months. So she doesn't really have any other decent references (in SLT at least).
Hmm, that makes a bit more sense I suppose. Coming from my job background I find the concept of job loyalty absurd. I guess it might be the status quo in SLT.
Twice might raise an eyebrow if someone is already looking for a reason to hate your resume
Three or more consecutive times is when reasonable hiring managers look at you as damaged goods.
Apply away!
It makes sense that you feel that way. Employers offer very little incentive to remain loyal today. Anybody can give you a paycheck, but the days of pensions and the like are long gone. I'm loyal to mine because the company is huge and I can transfer into a new job without shifting companies. I also have a pension because I got lucky and started a few months before the program was discontinued. No sick time though which is a bummer.
She should have applied and just asked her head of department for a reference without going in any details. It should be obvious to her boss that she didn't move away from her significant other for shits and giggles. She can share the details with her boss when a new employer wants to go ahead with her.
So, fuck her. Leave her out of it. List the job to show the relevant experience, but for actual references, hit up professors or university-era employers.
Your girlfriend really should try for this job. It's something she wants to do in a place she wants to be. I don't think only working six months at her current job will weigh against her, given the circumstances: it was the only job she could get at the time, but it makes complete sense for her to jump on a better opportunity back home when given the chance. I also don't think she should be feeling like she owes anything to her current employer. Is she on a multi-year contract? I'm assuming no. Has she worked hard for her current employer for the past six months? I'm sure she has. Has her current employer made substantial investments in her that they might reasonably expect to reap rewards from down the line, like paying for additional educational opportunities for her? Probably not. So, what loyalty does she owe them?
She'll be questioned as to why she wants to leave, most likely, but as you said, that's easily defended. Closer to her family, friends, boyfriend, it's a better fit, doing what she always dreamed of doing. That last part is what they really like to hear. As long as you're not lying (they can tell), it usually will at least get you another interview.
And this goes for anyone: It never hurts applying.
I agree with the first part of this post, though- unless she has a history of switching jobs ever 6 months, this one switch shouldn't hurt her career in the future.
Rigorous Scholarship
That's true. When I started writing I was thinking fiancee (which I think is a valid reason for wanting to switch work locales), but then edited it when I looked at the OP again. And you're right, "dream job" is a lot better reason for moving (to the interviewer) than "friends and SO."
More often than not a job prefers you to be nearer to your friends, family, s/os because that makes you happy. Happy workers means better performance. She shouldn't say "boyfriend" but definitely saying friends and family could be considered a plus. Especially in a teaching disability field where having good people skills is a major boon. Saying "This is my dream job, and ideally located for me to stay near my friends and family" is better than "this is my dream job."
I wouldn't mention BF at all. She just needs to state that this is her "dream job, and allows her to be closer to family which is a nice bonus". This shows that she is not leaving her current job for S&G's, and also ties her to the area showing a sense of stability and likelihood of sticking around. Mentioning a BF or GF as the reason for the move just makes you sound flaky, and you'll likely leave at the drop of hat.