Dear Abby: Should You Stay, or Should You Go?
Dear Abby: I started a new job, I’ve only been here for a few months and I hate it! Do I need to stay for a year or when can I leave? #SPLITdecisions (😂)
Unfortunately, this happens more than you would think. I hear from candidates so much: “I don’t really like it, but I’ve committed to stay here a year and then look.” I don’t always agree with this, and here are a few reasons why…
Staying Unhappy Hurts Everyone
If you don’t love what you are doing, you generally are just “doing” the job instead of really performing and excelling in the position. You don’t want to spend a year of your life just waiting for it to end. You also want to make sure that you’re giving your employer the best of you and the best of your work—not just doing enough to complete tasks.
When you don’t enjoy what you are doing, it bleeds into your whole life. People can try as hard as they want to compartmentalize, but it inevitably seeps in. Spend your energy to grow every aspect!
Employers Value Honesty
I usually hear from employers that they would rather have someone leave sooner if they aren’t happy than after a year because it really takes someone 6-12 months to be fully trained, functioning, and adding value in their position. When a candidate leaves after a year, the employer has to start all over again.
Avoid the Resume Red Flags
Don’t make it a habit. I’m definitely NOT condoning using the first couple of months as a continuous trial period. Don’t have perpetual 6-month positions on your resume.
Make sure that you aren’t mistaking the learning curve for disliking the position. Ensure you’ve had the right communication with your manager and have done everything possible to make the job the right fit. Do your due diligence when accepting a position (I’ll post tips for this next week). When you’ve done all of this and it STILL turns out to be different than you hoped—get in the right situation. Be intentional and be diligent.
When to Make the Move
There will always be bumps in any job, things you don’t like, and days that feel hard. But if you spend every night dreading work the next day, it’s time to change your situation—for you and the company—whether it’s been a few weeks or a few years.
Have You Been in This Situation?
What did you do? How did it turn out?
Feel free to contact anyone on the Prospex Recruiting team; we’d love to discuss any of this with you!