How Soon Is Too Soon to Job Hunt After Starting a New Job

How Soon Is Too Soon to Job Hunt After Starting a New JobHow Soon Is Too Soon to Job Hunt After Starting a New JobYoure just starting a new job, and youre very unhappy in itwhat is the protocol around seeking a new opportunity when youre new to your current organization?Its a tricky situation, since if you leave too soon after joining a company, youll end up with a short dash on your resume reflecting a brief stint in the position. Such employment blips may be tough to explain to future employers- especially the mora traditional ones who subscribe to the general rule that you should stay in a position for at least a year (if not two) before moving on.On the other hand, if youre feeling that a new job is a poor fit once you start doing it, there can be disadvantages to staying as well. If you feel disengaged from the get-go or recognize right away that theres a serious disconnect between you and your manager or team, it may make sense to avoid putting too much time and energy into a n egative job experience that could lead to poor performance and other negative outcomes.Here are some considerations to help you think through whether an early departure after starting a new job is wise and warranted, or should be avoidedEarly job hopping has become common.Many statistics show that ditching a post soon after starting is now the norm. The Aberdeen Group found that a surprising number of new hires surveyed- 86%- made the decision to eventually leave during their first six months on the job. Harvard Business Review reported on a study that determined around one-third (33%) of new hires start investigating new employment options in that first half-year after joining.And the Allied Workforce Mobility Survey found that just under a quarter (23%) of new hires actually do leave their jobs less than a year after being hired. While its not necessarily a great idea to jump ship in your first six months or year of employment just because many other workers do this, the fact that this type of job hopping happens so frequently means that some employers wont dock you for it (especially if you have a strong track record and they want you on their team).Your job history makes a difference.If your resume shows a solid work history up until your early departure, it may be easier to explain away the aberration. Depending on how long youve been in the job market, having at least a position or two that youve stayed in for a year or ideally longer can help show your overall tendency toward loyalty or longevity, which while not critical to all of todays employers, may still be important to some of them. If, however, your resume reveals a pattern of short-term hops, some employers may view this as a red flag, believing that it reflects poorly on your career stability, commitment, and work ethic.Completing a specific project helps.If youre unhappy with the idea of staying long-term in your new role, you may be able to strategically spin the experience into one that look s better in the eyes of your next potential employer. Instead of pulling the plug prematurely with nothing to show for your time at the company, consider identifying an initiative or project that you can complete and record as a professional accomplishment before you go. If you can quantify your work experience in terms of a specific deliverable that you gave to your customers, colleagues, and/or company, it can help showcase your ability to add value in an area of expertise- even given the short time frame.As you keep unterstellung pointers in mind, be aware that in some situations, you may simply need to leave sooner than expected for your own peace of mind. If you do need to extricate yourself from a company on the early side, be sure to do so as gracefully as possible. Keep your explanation to the employer matter-of-fact and straightforward rather than emotional or negative, emphasizing job fit over complaints or finger-pointing. Set a goal to preserve your professional relation ships and reputation over the long haul, and take the time needed to identify a better fit the next time around.Find a job that fits your lifestyle Browse Open Flexible Jobs