How to write applications when I've only been in my current job for 4 months?

Anonymous

March 7,2022 at 8:29AM UTC

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How to write applications when I've only been in my current job for 4 months?

I know I'm still fairly new but it's not the right fit for me. I work at a technology company. I thought that I would get to work closely with the technology, but it's quickly transpired that the bulk of my role is buried in spreadsheets/financials/admin and TONS of meetings. Leadership is also pretty much invisible, and there is no HR support (I don't need HR support right now but to me this is a bit of a red flag). Whilst I know I can do this sort of role, and I do get to work a bit with the technology, it's not the right balance and I'm already increasingly unhappy, which has never happened to me this early on in a job before.

The two options I have thought of are applying for an internal role that has come up which is a bit more suited towards what I want to do, and/or apply for an external role (which is similar to the internal role). The internal role of course would still have the same generic issues as my current, but it might be easier to handle if I'm doing something that I feel more passionate about.

However how would I explain looking for something new so early on so that a potential new employer wouldn't be suspicious that I would jump ship immediately? I was at my last gig for two years, the one before that 18 months, and the one before that 3 years.

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Adrienne BorghoffMarch 7,2022 at 1:53PM UTC
I think if you know, you know. You said the position isn't the right fit for you. Don't waste more time there or in your current position if you feel unsatisfied.
AnonymousMarch 7,2022 at 2:16PM UTC
Its fair to say the job and environment was not the "right fit".
Don't be afraid to tell the truth in a future interview. In all honesty, they should respect you for acknowledging this early on and it becoming something worse as time goes on. As a matter of fact, it could be a great segway into asking questions about the next job you apply for and culture of the company, esp. regarding "the amount of meetings!" I know for me that is show-stopper as well; nobody can get the job done that they were hired to do with a million unnecessary meetings getting in the way and some of them actually piling on more work from.
AnonymousMarch 8,2022 at 1:30PM UTC
I agree with sharing that the new role isn't a good fit/not what you expected, and being prepared to talk about what you are looking for in a new role. Also ask questions about the work culture in the interview so you aren't in the same position in the future.
Amy ConwayMarch 8,2022 at 1:40PM UTC
If you already identify some reasons for leaving, then start looking. Don’t stay anywhere if you aren’t happy just because you are nervous about the timeframe. If it’s not a good fit, then that is what you say. I do some recruiting g and hr consulting and I hear it all the time, it is a good reason for leaving. Learn what you want in the next role and make sure you interview them a little too so you get into the job you really want! Good luck!
Paulla Fetzek, MSEdMarch 8,2022 at 2:20PM UTC
Agree with the others in the fact that you shouldn't stay where you're not happy. I did that at my last job for 4 years and was miserable towards the end.
It sounds as if you may be unhappy with aspects of the company (no HR you mentioned) in addition to the job. In this case, taking a position elsewhere in the company may not prove any better for those things already lacking.
Employers do look at work history, but that's not all. Share with them your valid reason for leaving your current position ("It didn't align with what I was looking for in a position" or "The job didn't fit the description for which I applied").
Good jobs are out there. And a company is waiting for the talents that you bring. Best of luck!
Joanna PoeMarch 8,2022 at 2:26PM UTC
This was me three years ago, and I literally explained that I found my new position wasn't a good fit, and that I wanted to be more hands-on in a more technical role. That was all the explanation interviewers ever needed.
AnonymousMarch 8,2022 at 3:13PM UTC
i just went through this! I left a job that wasn’t a fit after 4 months. The job I had before that one was 4 years. I loved that job but the pandemic permanently ended the job.
How did I go about it? I was honest. I could’ve have left the 4 month job off my resume but didn’t because I learned new things. I chose to leave my 4 month job but I stayed longer than 2 weeks notice (3 weeks) and left on the best possible terms. Several people at my job including bosses surprisingly offered to be references.
When people ask why you left don’t rag on the company. Just explain the job wasn’t what was advertised. You can be honest but also professional.
If you were at the previous job awhile this helps. You can talk about this and also focus on the strengths you have and want to bring to the company you apply to.
Also, on your resume I put years not months on my jobs. This can help with the gaps.
The pandemic has shifted things. Do what works for you. Also if you decide to leave it off your resume entirely that isn’t a bad idea either. I’m pretty sure the next job I had didn’t bother to call my old job anyway. They were more focused on my previous job.
You’ve got this and don’t second guess yourself. You deserve to be happy.
Irena FoxmanMarch 8,2022 at 5:46PM UTC
This is me currently. At 4 mos in I knew. Here I am at 6 mos in as I was told I HAD to make it to 6 mos before I was able to even be considered for an internal position move. When you are waking up every day unhappy however it takes such a toll on your mental and emotional health…I am going to apply internally and externally. Life is so hard in so many ways, being unhappy for 8-10 hours a day is just not it. If we know so soon it’s not for us then I truly feel, an interviewer will ask about it and admire not wanting to waste time at a job that was all wrong when the right one is out there. Or, at least that’s what I keep telling myself ??‍♀️. All the best of luck though!!
AnonymousMarch 8,2022 at 8:48PM UTC
Thank you all so much for your contributions <3