Leaving too early?

[Unregistered]

Is it looked down upon nowadays to leave an employer after 1 year? Any thoughts?

[dove95]

I think it depends on why you're leaving.

According to the book (as I'm reading it now), they say that it's almost common place for people to want to switch jobs after two months and this is supposedly why companies like temps.

I guess it just depends on your personal desires. Why are you wanting to leave? If it's something that just boils down to money, then I'd rethink it. Yet, if it's management or the way you're treated or you have something else in mind and this is the way you want to go, then I think it's okay.

ya know?

[Jayesh]

Ok, I am responsible for interviewing all the contractors that join our comapnay, and I am involved in the selection process. usually, my boss "screens" the resumes, and forwards those resumes that he likes, and I interview them.

Usually, he does look at how frequently a person has changed their job. If the job changes are too frequent, then he will throw the resume in trash, but he usually ignores if there are just a few small jobs. Also, he looks at what kind of projects a person has done. If the project sounds like it will take 6 months for a person to understand, and the person has left in 4 months, then he would consider it a negative point. he also tries to consider location changes. So, if a project of small duration is followed by a series of projects in another state, then he would ignore the small job.

also, if you are at a job for only 2-3 months, usually theperson going through the resume, will ignore any skills that you have learnt in the job..

Also, the type of job matters, if you are applying for amangerial position, people will expect you to stay for at least 5 years or so, whereas if you are wokring as a store clerk, I think 1 year should be good enough(dont take my word for it I'm just guessing)

[Phoenix]

I'm w/ Jayesh...the type of job and industry matters (as well as your reasons). A lot of people in the computer industry, for instance, have bounced from job to job to job...(when the industry was hopping that is). However, i think it does still matter - even for them. While some amount of job mobility is expected w/ our generation, people still don't look highly upon the fact that you had 3 jobs (as an example) and only worked each for a year or less (makes the employer think you'll do the same to them for more money or just to change jobs...).

Depends too if you're leaving to change industries - that may be looked upon a bit more favorably than just leaving b/c (like Dove95 said) you want more money or something. Then again, some people may take it as a negative... i.e. you don't really know what you want and are just searching. You'll just have to convince them otherwise if that's the case.