What's the assumption from HR if you leave a company after 5 months? (interview, temporary)

[Berteau]

Let's say you left (laid off or quit) after 5 months. How does this look to potential employers? Is it a red flag? What if you had another (temporary) job directly after until you found another job you really wanted?

[Parnassia]

Doing it once is just once. Things happen. A pattern of doing this would concern a future employer.

[Suburban_Guy]

Definite red flags.

[sandsthetime]

If the HR rep is a dolt (unfortunately lots of them are), then probably.

[jribe]

i did it twice in one year; but had over a decade with my previous employer (who i left voluntarily)- ended up going back to long-term employer with no issues..

[Hemlock140]

At all places I have worked, HR doesn’t make that determination, it’s the hiring manager. I have two openings now and I have determined who to interview or not, HR simply makes the calls for the appointments, sits in on the interviews, makes the offer in the amount that I determine is appropriate within the set range to the person I select. Yes, 5 months looks bad, especially since we have a 6 month probationary period, so it looks like you couldn’t do the job. That can be overcome, at least partially by a good reason, such as moving or the employer downsizing.