I am leaving a job after 3 months as the writing is on the wall of the outcome.

Anonymous

April 28,2022 at 11:32AM UTC

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I am leaving a job after 3 months as the writing is on the wall of the outcome. If I leave it off my resume I will have a 5 month gap. Should i leave it on the resume or remove it?

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AnonymousApril 28,2022 at 12:01PM UTC
I'd leave it off or put 'independent consulting', 'volunteer work' or something else in place of the 5-month gap. Do you have another position lined up?
AnonymousApril 28,2022 at 12:26PM UTC
I do not have another job no.
Claire WrightApril 28,2022 at 12:25PM UTC
I'd be honest and include it on the CV but be prepared to be asked at subsequent interviews why you left. I've been on plenty of interview panels and I'd rather see it on there and have an honest discussion about why it wasn't right for you. If you write independent consulting or volunteer work most interviewers will want detail so don't dig yourself into a hole.
Rebecca AliApril 28,2022 at 12:45PM UTC
I'm a big believer in honesty is the best policy and transparency. Things have a way of surfacing even if you can't imagine that scenario right now. I agree with the other poster - be prepared to talk about why something didn't work out in a factual way (not bashing or in a resentful way). I don't think this is too uncommon right now. Lots of articles talking about how job changers are having remorse/stuck in a bad fit job and are boomeranging or moving on after short periods of time. Good luck.
AnonymousApril 30,2022 at 3:23AM UTC
I've heard whispers of this but not seen any articles! Any you recommend?
Rebecca AliMay 1,2022 at 1:14PM UTC
There was an article in the Wall Street Journal within the last two weeks. Also, business insider, the Guardian, and some other sources if you google.
AnonymousApril 28,2022 at 12:47PM UTC
Include it and next to it enter “short term position”. Due to the length of time it is short term. The statement can remove any negative views of you working in the position such a short time because they can assume it was a temp job or independent consulting job. In the interview be professionally honest because that is your time to share why you left so quickly and express what you are looking for. It will be their time to see if you would be a good fit.
Sabrina CortesApril 28,2022 at 1:04PM UTC
I'm a professional resume writer and having a 5-month gap isn't a big deal. It's pretty normal to have an employment gap of up to a year, so you're good. However, you might want to list it on your resume to reinforce your experience. It's entirely up to you, though.
Anne MatsushitaApril 30,2022 at 10:55PM UTC
Sorry to hear it's not working out, but good for you for putting yourself first! Everyone has had a gap at some point, so it's not a red flag. Also, a resume isn't meant to show every single thing you've done, so it's okay to leave it off, especially if it's not relevant for the direction you want to go in next. You may be asked what you did during that time in an interview and can bring it up then.