Just quit my job after only 1 month!

Anonymous

November 22,2022 at 8:05PM UTC

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

Just quit my job after only 1 month! The position wasn't a good fit at all. I had my concerns when I received the job offer but accepted the position due to the salary and title. My manager was very upset and initially refused my resignation. Then argued with me for over 2 hours about my leaving so soon. I tried to only say it wasn't a good fit but he kept badgering me for examples. Then asked me to stay and re-evaluate after 90 days. I have never experienced anything like this.

The company was extremely disorganized and my manager continuously bad mouthed the 2 employees that previously filled this role. The duties assigned did not match the job title whatsoever. Staying would have meant a career step back as despite the better title, it was very clerical work and did not align with my goals. For whatever reason, he is making me serve out my notice. Since I am the 3rd person to quit under him in less than 6 months, HR has asked that I do an exit interview. I'm tempted to skip it altogether.

Thankfully, I accepted another job offer and am undergoing a background check now. This has been such a stressful experience. I'm really hoping the job I accepted will be a better fit.

Why women love us:

Daily articles on career topics
Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
Advice and support from an authentic community
Events that help you level up in your career
Free membership, always

23 comments

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

23 Comments

Join the conversation

AnonymousNovember 22,2022 at 8:26PM UTC
Oof, it sounds like you made the right call to leave when you did! The turnover under your manager is not your problem at all. Personally, I would do the exit interview, but only if you're prepared to be (professionally) honest about your experience and why you're leaving. It's good that they're looking into this as his behavior does not sound professional at all from your post.
Congrats on your new job!! Wishing you the best of luck!!
AnonymousNovember 23,2022 at 12:03AM UTC
He can't "make" you do anything. If it is a nightmare, don't finish your notice. Run do not walk...
AnonymousNovember 23,2022 at 2:07AM UTC
Good luck to you! My thoughts are that the traditional ways of professionalism are long gone. I am in a similar situation, but I did not resign yet. I want a new job first, but having a hard time finding one because my current roles requires a lot of work above and beyond 9-5 (I am on salary) . Today I asked my boss about the work load and she said that I should consider working on weekends and over Thanksgiving holiday to catch up. I don’t like the new expectations companies place on employees- they expect that you have no life outside of work. I am glad you got out when you did, I hope to join you soon.
AnonymousNovember 23,2022 at 12:32PM UTC
As I posted, I quit a new job in 3 months after calling in sick on my first scheduled day to start. I knew something was wrong. I don't believe traditional ways of professionalism ever existed. Just watch a few episodes of "Madmen." Companies today are just better at gaslighting. Work weekends and over Thanksgiving is your boss' recommendation to catch up on the insane workload? Huge red flag that this will not get better. There is still a strong job market out there for employees. I got an amazing job 3 weeks ago and I'm 63. Life is too short to be overworked and undervalued. Please consider moving on. Your job would be posted before your obit was written if (God forbid) anything happened to you. Best wishes and take good care.
RiaNovember 27,2022 at 6:32PM UTC
You are 10000% correct!
AnonymousNovember 23,2022 at 12:21PM UTC
Good for you! You trusted your gut instinct which is a reliable indicator. I called in sick on my first day of work for a new job that I felt uneasy about. I quit 3 months later. Best thing I ever did. Your manager tried to talk you out of leaving because you were the 3rd employee to leave under his watch. He didn't value "you" - he was trying to cover his own butt. Fingers crossed for you getting the new job! Always trust your gut. Best wishes!
Looking for a changeNovember 23,2022 at 3:28PM UTC
If you can I would literally not go back . Write an email to this boss and hr tell them the new position requires you to start immediately. That’s it. Make sure you have all your personal belongings
Heather BrownNovember 25,2022 at 1:25PM UTC
I had this happen. I knew on day 2 this job wasn’t for me. It was nothing to do with my IT degree and was basically doing admin. I lasted 6 weeks but I don’t know how. The boss was controlling and miserable. I hated every minute.
AnonymousNovember 25,2022 at 1:52PM UTC
I am truly sorry you've experienced this. Been there/done that. I once accepted a position that also lasted about 4 weeks. It was a disorganized nightmare, I was not progressing or getting any support in an entirely new role. The straw that broke the camel's back was one of the male leaders passing me in the hall and touching me (subtly, inappropriately). That was it. I called and gave my notice over the phone. No reason cited. They didn't deserve it. Was able to slide into another job offer very quickly. No regrets. Good luck on the next role!
Stephanie H. WicalNovember 25,2022 at 2:07PM UTC
Yikes! I am sorry you were assaulted at work.
AnonymousNovember 25,2022 at 2:05PM UTC
This sounds terrible what a horrible experience for you.
I would advise you do go to the exit interview for some closure and get it all out there (hopefully the person after you will benefit). You could specify who you want to hold the interview e.g. not your manager. It sounds like you have some good advice to give HR about the actual duties vs the job description.
Good luck in the new job I hope it's better!!
PJ DeusenberryNovember 25,2022 at 2:10PM UTC
Please do not skip the exit interview. It helps HR more than you know in determining what is happening & what they can do to resolve it.
GirlBossanova934974November 25,2022 at 2:56PM UTC
Frankly, you are quite fortunate. You have another job offer, have accepted that job offer, and only have a background check to go through. Congrats! As they say in basketball, no harm, no foul. You got out of a bad situation very quickly. As for the exit interview, I would take it. JUST answer the questions as they are asked. No need to go into long stories about this or that. The manager in question is on HR's radar screen as someone who may be leaving very shortly............
Melissa CorriveauNovember 25,2022 at 3:06PM UTC
I had a similar thing recently happen to me. Enjoyed my team, boss and I never meshed. I received no training, a vague job description, and I had to go searching for answers to every question I had. Absolutely not a good fit. I resigned after being requested to proxy into the system as the new head of HR, in order to get info for a report. That was late this summer. I didn't have a new job to go to, and I'm actually still in the job hunt, but that resignation was the best thing I ever did for myself. It took me a month of pep talks to regain my confidence, and accept that I made the right decision. When the little voice inside of you starts speaking up, listen. There's generally a good reason. Best of luck to you.
AnonymousNovember 25,2022 at 3:49PM UTC
I had a very similar experience just recently. I left a relatively cushy job because there was no development and started with a new company - more money, more holiday, fewer hours... and just like in your case it was chaotic, the job wasn't at all what I was hired to do. I had a nervous breakdown, my GP signed me off on medical leave for 3 weeks and on day 1 of my leave my manager called and pressurized me to return to work... I didn't !After a few weeks of medical leave I now landed a very good job that really plays to my strengths. Money is not quite as good but I think it is karma that I decided to walk away from money and found something that is much more up my alley!
AnonymousNovember 25,2022 at 4:00PM UTC
It seems any time a job had high turnover and a manager who badmouths others it’s a huge red flag and doesn’t get better. I think we’ve all made a mistake like this and it’s ok to bounce out of an obviously toxic work situation. We don’t owe an employer to put up with abusive working conditions. I think you should do the exit interview. What are they going to do? Fire you? Probably not but they might reevaluate who they have in management roles. And a job that short doesn’t really even need to go on a resume. It’s a waste of space and not really relevant. You didn’t gain any new skills. So while the improved title and pay might sound good, the short time makes it irrelevant and that’s ok. On to better things.
Adrienne HibbertNovember 25,2022 at 4:53PM UTC
COMPLETE THE EXIT INTERVIEW! If you don't let them know there is a serious problem, how do they correct it for the next employee. This is a cycle of disruption you can be apart of fixing.
Christine MNovember 25,2022 at 9:31PM UTC
I'd recommend doing the exit interview. It might still not get resolved but there is always the possibility. I hope your new role will be a better fit for you.
Ms. S.November 25,2022 at 11:12PM UTC
Do the exit interview. HR needs to know why this position cannot remain filled. You are making the right decision.
AnonymousNovember 27,2022 at 6:31PM UTC
Its illegal for the employer to withhold her paycheck. She doesn't need law enforcement to accompany her. Seriously this advice is wrong.
Nichelle SpykeNovember 28,2022 at 1:59AM UTC
Please do the HR exit interview. It might help a future candidate and more importantly, it might result in some changes (i.e. leadership courses/assessments) your soon-to-be former boss can take to prevent a reoccurrence. People usually quit their bosses and not their jobs. Best of luck to you on your upcoming, new job!!
Rika M PhippsNovember 30,2022 at 5:47PM UTC
Please do the exit interview. It might help you become more assertive, and it might feel good to get it off of your chest, not to mention, it would also serve the company well, also.
AnonymousDecember 5,2022 at 7:34PM UTC
Definitely do the exit interview, it would help you get some closure to the situation and give you a good talking point for future positions / when / if you get asked about your short stay at the company.