Have you ever left a job you liked? (job offers, employed, consulting)

[mwt137]

I have been at my newest job as an environmental consultant for 6 months now. Before that, I spent 6 months at another firm that I was miserable at, and before that, I spent 3 1/2 years at another environmental consulting firm (the first job I got after graduation).

Despite being in consulting firms since graduation, I have always had an affinity for public sector work. I was just offered an interview for a state government position and am pretty excited about the opportunity. That being said, I have a couple reservations about what could happen if I were to get the job:

- Would having 2 jobs each lasting 6 months look very bad on my resume?

- I really like my coworkers; they're very friendly and easy to work with. I am just much more attracted at the prospect of working in public sector as opposed to the private sector/consulting. Would it be a mistake to leave something good just because what I think I want could be better?

I am also happy to provide additional details about my situation if it would be more helpful.

[Hemlock140]

There is nothing wrong with looking for a job that you like that also pays more. I have enjoyed every job I ever had but moved on when a better opportunity came up. Your 2 jobs each lasting 6 months looks OK as long as the 2nd had more responsibility and paid more than the first, the job hopping stigma is not what it used to be with more younger people doing it now. State and other government agencies are adding more environmental staff all the time, in fact I was on an interview panel recently for an environmental program manager, a new position added to the 2017 budget. Good luck with your interview.

[macroy]

What I'm hearing is you have no issues with where you are - but you want more. And you have the opportunity to get more. So to me, there's no issue there. As long as you've covered all your bases.

The job hopping thing is somewhat subjective. And it would likely be a topic of discussion. However, that's two jobs from now (the current, and the one you're looking at). If this potential job is your passion, you may not need a resume for quite some time.

[beer belly]

Worked P/T for Enterprise Rent a Car.....loved the job, quit because of all the unethical treatment of the customer charging them for damage the previous customer did, but went unnoticed, and putting customers in cars that were defective ......remember, it was a PT job, no biggie to leave.

[annabanana123]

I have done this before and am about to do it again. I love where I am but received an offer for a better opportunity to grow my career. It's a really hard decision to make as you never really know if you'll like where you are heading until you're a few months in. If it aligns with your career goals you should go for it.

For the 6 month stints just be prepared to address that in the interviews. They may ask about it. If you can cage it in a positive light it won't be an issue.

[ccm123]

I was once recruited from a great job that I had, by an aggressive recruiter to a start-up firm. They offered me an 18% salary increase and lots of stock options. The first day I went to work at the start-up, I knew I made a mistake and should not have joined. Too late.

[Book Lover 21]

I left a job I really liked about a year ago. It was the first time I willingly left a job where I was happy and successful.


Thank goodness I did. I've NEVER been as happy at a job as I am now. This is finally a job that I feel like I can retire from.


If someone ever does ask why you left after six months, just say an opportunity came up that you couldn't pass up. It helps if you give references from the job you left to show there are no hard feelings.


Good luck!

[Labonte18]

I have.. It was my first job out of college.. It was good, I basically enjoyed it, but.. After 5 years and an ownership change.. There was just a growing apart.

[ryanms3030]

Originally Posted by mwt137

I have been at my newest job as an environmental consultant for 6 months now. Before that, I spent 6 months at another firm that I was miserable at, and before that, I spent 3 1/2 years at another environmental consulting firm (the first job I got after graduation).

Despite being in consulting firms since graduation, I have always had an affinity for public sector work. I was just offered an interview for a state government position and am pretty excited about the opportunity. That being said, I have a couple reservations about what could happen if I were to get the job:

- Would having 2 jobs each lasting 6 months look very bad on my resume?

- I really like my coworkers; they're very friendly and easy to work with. I am just much more attracted at the prospect of working in public sector as opposed to the private sector/consulting. Would it be a mistake to leave something good just because what I think I want could be better?

I am also happy to provide additional details about my situation if it would be more helpful.

There is no problem having multiple jobs that only lasted for a short period if you left those jobs (i.e. didn't get fired) and have good justification (i.e. better job, more money). Recruiters today actually value that more then someone who has been at the same job for 10 years. If a person is getting job offers regularly for better jobs then they must be desirable compared to the person who is at a job for 10+ years and can't find a better job or advance in that time. And if you are currently employed with two 6 month job histories and you are being actively recruited for a better job by another company then that proves the point

[vision33r]

Jobs that I liked often don't pay so it doesn't matter how well you're treated if the pay is below market rate.

I've seen many places where the workplace treats people bad but a lot of people not leaving because the pay is higher than avg.