What do you think? Will this put potential employers off?

ivytwine

Recently- without going into details, you never know who's reading- I find my job is becoming untenable for me. I never wanted to stay in it long term, but now I'm on nights I just feel like I can't stay here anymore.

Anyway, I must have applied for around 30-40 jobs in the last week, but I haven't heard much back (fair enough, I've only just applied for most of them).

I've only been in this job since last October. I have fairly short periods of experience workwise. I was in my first part-time college job for 4 years, but everything else is kinda just a couple of months- internships etc. I am 25.

Do you reckon it looks bad that I'm applying for new jobs while I'm only in my current position less than a year? Are employers going to think I'm a flibbertigibbet? Should I try and last the year at least, even if it means sacrificing my sleep and sanity?

Any opinions welcome, thanks.

tenifan

It's best to have another job lined up before you pack your current job in. A friend of mine left his job without one lined up. He applied for new jobs and did interviews but didn't get the jobs. I have no doubt the mysterious reason for leaving his previous job didn't help him. Then, even the interviews dried up and he was without work for the guts of a year.

On the other hand, I know plenty of people who left jobs and getting another no problem. But it's not a risk I'd like to take.

Working nights, while horrible, is good.. because it allows you to do interviews without taking time off work.

ivytwine

tenifan wrote: »

It's best to have another job lined up before you pack your current job in. A friend of mine left his job without one lined up. He applied for new jobs and did interviews but didn't get the jobs. I have no doubt the mysterious reason for leaving his previous job didn't help him. Then, even the interviews dried up and he was without work for the guts of a year.

On the other hand, I know plenty of people who left jobs and getting another no problem. But it's not a risk I'd like to take.

Working nights, while horrible, is good.. because it allows you to do interviews without taking time off work.

Thanks Tenifan. Oh no, I've no intention of quitting this without having something lined up (unless there's a Falling Down moment of course!) I was more worried about the fact I have less than a year down on my CV at this place, even though it's the same company I worked for during college, just a different role. Plus I have only internships- one of a month as well, although I left there on very good terms and they're actually one of my references. I keep seeing all these jobs looking for a year's experience in X, Y and Z!

tenifan

I wouldn't worry about job-hopping a bit until you find one you like.

ivytwine

tenifan wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about job-hopping a bit until you find one you like.

Thanks I'm just freaked out that I will be there forever, slowly turning into a vampire!

MrBobbyZ

It's now far more common for people to change jobs at a frequency that may have put employers off in the past. So I wouldnt worry about that too much. Sometimes its a good indicator of ambition. Leaving your job on good terms and therefore getting a good reference/referee will do far more for your job prospects than the length of time spent there.

Nody

Well depends on how you play it; I had someone who applied for a job who had a resume with around 20 jobs in three years all over the place but could not really give any good answers to why they moved on constantly (beyond the standard "oh I felt I did not learn anything anymore", "I wanted to try something new " etc.) who then come out and states "But I really love this job". The person failed the job interview (even doing a decent interview) simply because of not showing any reason why this was a job they loved or why this would settle things down for 'em.

So I guess I'm going against the people above and say that yes, it may be held against you but you need to show how the new role would really something you'd like to do rather than "just another job" so to speak. Because on a "just another job" point of view your record states that you're likely to leave soon...

ivytwine

Thanks for the replies, and thanks for your input especially Nody, it's good to hear from a recruiter.

I def haven't had 20 jobs in 3 years, more like 5 in 5 years! Some were short term internships/Christmas contracts. I left all of them on good terms, and I would be able to get references from all of them if I was asked. (The only one I couldn't would be the Christmas job because that manager herself has moved on).

Yes I would definitely like to impress on the employer that I would be in for the long haul. I have ambitions in a creative field, but I want to do it alongside a 9-5. Having tried it the other way I realise I want a steady income and security instead of relying on castles in the air, so I'm keen to impress on them that I'm in it for keeps, or whatever keeps is these days!