Despite landing what she believed to be her dream job after months of searching, Sarah, a marketing specialist in her late 20s, realized within a month that it was a nightmare. Her team was overworked, and her supervisor, who initially appeared charismatic, was incompetent and disengaged.
In her first career coaching session, Sarah described her workplace as a complete mess, questioning how she would manage to stay for a year. Phoebe Gavin, a career coach, speaker, and trainer specializing in career strategy, negotiation, and empathetic leadership, replied that she does not have to, leaving Sarah perplexed as to whether being in a job for less than a year would not look bad on her resume.
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Having supported over 700 clients from diverse age groups, job functions, and industries, Gavin often encountered dissatisfied employees seeking advice on how to endure their situation without being labeled job-hoppers.
The concern is legitimate, as evidenced by a 2022 HR consultancy Robert Half survey. In it, 77% of senior managers cited frequent job hopping as a primary factor that made them cautious when reviewing resumes. This figure was slightly higher than those who cited "vague descriptions of past jobs" (76%) and "insufficient skills for the position" (74%).
"Stick it out for a year" represents outdated and oversimplified guidance, which often unnecessarily prolongs individuals' stay in harmful and miserable jobs.
Stick It Out for A Year Is Outdated
Certain recruiters and hiring managers persist in the belief that longer job tenures correlate with dependable, high-performing candidates who exhibit good teamwork. However, many job seekers, particularly millennials and Gen Z, have a different perspective.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median tenure of workers aged 25 to 34 was 2.8 years in 2022, compared to 9.8 years for those aged 55 to 64. Additionally, the Work Institute's 2023 retention report found that over a third (35%) of turnover occurs within the first year of employment. Furthermore, an extensive 2022 survey by The Muse revealed that 80% of respondents believe leaving a job in under six months is acceptable if it fails to meet their expectations.
Hiring managers increasingly acknowledge that economic changes and shifting workforce dynamics, particularly in the pandemic and post-pandemic era, have normalized shorter job tenures, even among highly skilled individuals.
Although a series of brief job stints may concern certain recruiters, one or two shorter roles will not scare off a reasonable hiring panel, especially if you can provide context. If it does give them pause, it could serve as a valuable signal for you regarding the company's culture.
When to Stay or Leave?
Enduring adverse situations such as harassment, burnout, or unsafe work environments is not worth it, particularly if you have other viable financial or professional options. Unless the circumstances are particularly severe, here is how to determine whether leaving your job is appropriate before completing a full year.
Gather Other Perspective
Seek input from friends, family, industry peers, and mentors. Instead of asking general questions, be specific, asking things like, "Do you think this situation is common?" or "Do you see potential for improvement?" If your network is not sufficient, consider consulting with a career coach for guidance.
Resolve Pain Points Within Your Control
Communicate your challenges clearly and objectively to your colleagues and supervisors. Propose potential solutions and seek their input. If the situation does not improve despite your efforts, moving on is acceptable.
Check Your Track Record
If your resume primarily consists of longer-term roles, a few shorter stints are unlikely to cause concern. However, even if your job history is more varied, it is often wise to seek a better fit rather than endure a bad situation to avoid appearing as a job-hopper. Do not let the fear of judgment from potential recruiters dictate your career decisions.
