Having long stints on your resume is a nice plus. It shows your level of commitment.But staying in one place for years isn’t an option for everyone. In fact, 25 percent of millennials surveyed said they expected to move to a new job within 12 months.
Leaving as quickly as I did, however, could be avoided. You don’t want to create the impression that you’re not a committed person, and you don’t want to leave wreckage in your wake.
1. Sync Up Your Job Interviews and Be Transparent About Them
When looking for employment, applying and interviewing for multiple jobs simultaneously is ideal. This puts you in a better position to make informed comparisons between offers. Be prepared for some companies’ hiring processes to move slower. That’s partly why I ended up in the position I did.
Also, your interviewers might ask if you’re applying for other jobs. They’re trying to read your urgency. Saying yes (if that’s the case) tells them that they might need to act faster to bring you on board.
2. Alert Your First-Choice Company Before Accepting a Job Elsewhere
You’ll want to avoid the perception that you’re leveraging one offer for another, but try to remain open and honest during the process. If your preferred company is slower to make an offer, tell them about the less desirable offer you have on the table.
“Typically if the company is serious about the candidate, they will speed up their internal processes,” If they don’t, you’ll have your answer about where you’re truly wanted.
3. Thoroughly Vet a Company Before Accepting
Treat your next series of job interviews as if you’re the interviewer. Ace the hiring manager’s questions, sure, but carve out as much time as possible to ask your own. Learn about the company’s workplace dynamic, people and internal struggles. You might also consider spending a day shadowing colleagues in the office to get a better sense of how you’d fit.
When Leaving a Job Quickly Is Unavoidable
If your situation is unavoidable, you can cut the cord on a new job, risking the fallout. But you might also consider a less damaging workaround.
“Ask your future employer to give you some more time” “Tell them about your situation and that you’d like to stay with your current company for a couple [of] extra months to avoid any negative feelings or backlash.”
It’s not a perfect solution, but let’s face it: There’s no perfect solution for this predicament. Being transparent with your current and prospective companies can stop you from blindsiding them. Just make sure you protect your interests in the process and end up at the job that’s best for your situation.
