Want to leave my current role - less than six months in.

Want to leave my current role - less than six months in. I have been in my current role for less than 6 months and it isn't turning out how I expected nor how it was sold to me. I was recruited into this role with the understanding that there were growth opportunities and the leadership was solid. I made it clear that I was looking for a culture fit and everyone I interviewed with was evidently on their best behavior. Since I've been here, I've been treated horribly, people aren't keen to share pertinent information with me and there is no guidance or support from leadership. It's an awkward situation to be in and quite honestly hostile at times. I had other opportunities and wished I had taken one of those. Any advice on what to say when interviewing for a new company as to the reason I want to leave?

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9 Comments

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  1. Anonymous

    Just that it wasn't a fit and not what was described to you.

  2. Sabrina Cortes

    I'm so sorry that this is happening to you. I was in a similar situation, and management wasn't supportive.

    It's best not to go into detail about the company. The best thing you can say is that it wasn't a good fit, and you want to expand your skillset.

    Warmest wishes sent your way!

  3. Shenelle S. LaPierre

    If the question comes up, your looking for better opportunities that are aligned with your current goals and experience.

  4. Anonymous

    Steer the convo by addressing the unique qualities and u didn’t want to miss out on the opportunity

  5. JJ

    The comments are great but also you can look the interviewer right in the eye and say “it was not as expected, it was not a fit and I respect myself and the company too much to pretend otherwise.”

  6. Anonymous

    I'm in the same boat. And ready to just say that it wasn't what I expected or a good fit.

  7. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist

    "It's not the right fit". The end.

    You're not the only one in this boat - there's at least one post every single day on here asking the same question.

  8. Anonymous

    If this role was less than 6 months leave it off your resume... it’ll. Make you seem like a job hopper! With how everything has been upended from covid, the gap may be okay and you can have a covid climate related reason for your gap.

    I just left left a job after a year and relate to what your saying about culture fit and how it wasn’t exactly what I sold on.... If companies lie to get us in and then we are miserable, we should be able to fudge the truth when looking for new roles. Not huge illegal lies but, they don’t need to know about this brief role, unless you can bear to wait it out before leaving but, I don’t know if enduring more misery will be worth it for you!

    Best of luck to you!

  9. Anonymous

    I once left a job after 5 months.

    Similarly, the environment was very toxic and it wasn’t what was discussed in the interview.

    When I interviewed for new jobs (including the one I got), I simply said “It ultimately wasn’t as expected, and I’m really excited to interview for this job, which is more in line with my skill set and goals.”

    No one has EVER given me an issue about staying at one job for 5 months, and no one should for you either—especially with how the last two years have been, where plenty of people have had part time jobs, temporary gigs, layoffs, etc.

    Keeping it on your resume is your call. If the company and job title are in line with your career goals (despite the culture) keep it. No one will think you’re a job hopper for leaving one job a few months in (it’s just standard advice to, of course, not make it a habit)

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