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I started a new job 2 months ago and knew within a month it was a mistake.

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I started a new job 2 months ago and knew within a month it was a mistake.

It was a career change for me, I was at another company over 15 years and was too comfortable. At this point I know I have to leave as there are indications that I will not 'make it." I am very stressed.I cannot return to my previous employer as they were upset I left even though I gave sufficient notice. How can I explain leaving a job after such little time in an interview?

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  1. Jessica

    Just be honest. You still have 15 years of loyalty with your previous employer and that says a lot. Sometimes a job/company doesn't work out, and while that can be frustrating it doesn't have to be stressful. You can make this work for you. You choose to see that it is not the right fit, make the right choice to leave professionally and find the right fit. You will only do your best work if you are with the company that aligns with your goals and your values. Hope this helps and makes you feel a little better. I would not turn down an applicant that had so many years of experience just because of a small blip like this.

  2. Anonymous

    That makes me feel really good. I appreciate it :-)

  3. Anita Getz

    Just be honest, you realized that this was not a good fit for you. Good luck

  4. Anonymous

    Thank you I will have to do that.

  5. Anonymous

    I thought about doing that however that company was after the 15 year company and I was there for a very short time when the new one called. I think it may look bad asking to come back when I was there for a short time.

  6. BeaBoss979975

    The worst that can happen is they say no.

  7. Anonymous

    I agree with Anita. This type of thing happens, especially when you were so comfortable in your last job for 15 years. This one just wasn't a fit.

    You’ll know more what to look for next time.

  8. Anonymous

    I know I am just afraid of looking like a job hopper especially since it was completely out of my industry.

  9. Anonymous

    Honestly, in this market it doesn't even cause hiring managers to take pause. Especially if you research the company and ask very informed questions.

  10. Laura Browne

    Talk about what you learned. For example, you can say that you learned that you thrive in a team environment and you realized after joining that it really wasn't a good fit. Then say that's why you're interested in the job you're applying for. Let them know why it's a good fit and what you will bring to the job. It's important that you don't say bad things about the other company. Just focus on the fact that it wasn't a good fit.

  11. Anonymous

    Yes I read it is frowned upon to speak badly about the other company. I truly hope I find another job. Thank you.

  12. Cheryl Neas

    I agree-spin the positives. You learned something, even if it was "I am not at my best in a job that relies on X and that is why I am so excited about this position--I would be able to do more Z." Focus on why you are a fit for the next job, not specifically why you weren't for the last one.

  13. Joshua Cordero

    If you spent 15 years at your last job you are clearly not someone who makes rash decisions.

    Your current employer hasn't done enough to prove to you they are the right place for you. You can make that clear in your interviews.

  14. Anonymous

    That is very true. Thank you.

  15. Anonymous

    I had the same thing happen, just two months. They fired me before I quit. It was so obviously a mis-match.

    I wiped the 2 months from my mind, resume and LinkedIn. It never happened. I went this route rather than explaining it.

    The other direction would be to state very simply without any hesitation that it was not a good fit, and you quickly realized your values were not in alignment. They deviated from the original agreement.

    Good luck! keep us posted.

  16. Anonymous

    Thank you.
    I cannot keep it off my resume because the gap would be too long in my opinion. I had a short job in between. I will keep everyone posted.

  17. Anonymous

    I'm 3 weeks into a new job after 8 years with my former employer and I'm realizing the same thing. And so, I just had an interview today and I'm networking later this week before applying for another job. We'll find the right fit, and there's plenty to learn from this experience. Interviewing really is a two-way street, and if I would've talked to the consultant who's "rolling off the project" I would've known that I and my new manager would not have been a match but I felt pressured. Never again! Try not to beat yourself up or look backward at what "could have been."

    If you want your old job, reach out and ask for it! I had another offer before accepting this one, and reached out to see if it was still open. While that position got filled, the hiring manager put me in touch with someone about a similar role (and I interviewed for it today). Keep pounding the pavement, and find the right position and team. Best of luck!

  18. Anonymous

    The 15 year job I cannot return to. I had a job in between n left during training for this.

  19. Anonymous

    Understood, one last thing I would say is to "say no before you say yes." What I mean is, unapologetically narrow down the type of job you really want; be really specific and envision yourself doing the day-to-day work. What questions do you wish you would've asked before taking the 2-month job? Be sure to ask those questions in the next interview. Employers don't hold all the power; you clearly are employable and capable if you stayed at a job for 15 years and just know that you are allowed to ask all the questions you need before saying 'yes'. Depending on your financial/living situation, stomach the new job while you continue looking for the right fit. I wouldn't even put the new job on my resume; if it's brought up, I'd pitch it as a temporary independent consulting gig or something like that. We are human and make mistakes. Now is time to course correct. Best of luck!

  20. Anonymous

    Have you spoken with your new manager about how they work and how you can fit in more?

  21. Anonymous

    I have and was basically told its not working.

  22. Anonymous

    This is me. And yesterday was the realization. It is terrible after only one month to start thinking about an exit.

  23. Anonymous

    I am sorry to hear. When you know, you know. You will be ok. Start looking through linkedin, they post many jobs.

  24. Anonymous

    Obviously you can see from other comments you’re not alone, but me too.

  25. Anonymous

    You are not alone....I am in the same boat after one month, it's not the job but the culture and dynamics of the team. I reached out to a few recruiters that I was interviewing with before I took this offer to see if they were still hiring for the role I interviewed for this Monday. One responded, so they set me up for an interview this week as they are in the home stretch! The only thing I said was that this new job I took was not a good fit. So that could be an option for you. Not all, but many employers may be empathetic especially with how the market is today where people want to work at companies where they align with values, teams they can jibe with, and sometimes you don't get to experience that firsthand until you actually start. Even if your previous employer was upset, reach out to them, what's the worst they can say, but only if you want to even return there. You will get through this, it's temporary and may be a blessing in disguise for something even better for your next career step.

  26. rgstaffing@bellsouth.net

    Do not go back to your old job. It could be percieved that you cannot deal with change which is not uncommon among people who spend too many years in a job. In society as it is now....

  27. Anonymous

    Has your former company replaced you? If not, they might be delighted to have you back. Why not get in touch?

    By the way, don’t be too hard on yourself about the new job. I just read an interesting statistic: about a third of U.S. employees leave their jobs within the first 90 days. Some common reasons include a toxic work environment, the actual job not aligning with the job description, and a mismatch between the job and the employee.

  28. Anonymous

    Thank you. Reached out to former job but no openings in my field at this time :-(

  29. rgstaffing@bellsouth.net

    i read that article as well.

  30. Anonymous

    Today, we have to be very careful...not all that is marketed and packaged oh so lovely - in that offer letter is true or there are elements, like work colleagues and lack of support, or congeniality and respect amongst co-workers that is not seen until we start working. Some miserable employers know they have leverage so will advertise the position in such a great way--and then retract or add on a lot more responsibility--yet keep the salary low. There are so many maneuvers that are unethical, misrepresented and again, so many toxic work environments that make it unbearable--one where you do NOT want to fit in! That is the honest truth. Nobody wants to say it, accept it,, or shed light on this. But very often, one can be super skilled, gracious, friendly and still NOT fit in, because you are dealing with inept managers, insecure co-workers, where jealousy is so rampant. Been there.. You will no detect this on ANY interview, and it will only come out in time...within 30 days you will see what you are dealing with. By then, you invest a month in. But this can be fixed...keep networking, looking and then just leave them--no notice even needed.

  31. Kelli Thompson

    Hang in there- you’re not alone. Here’s some tips in a recent article I shared here on FGB.

    https://fairygodboss.com/articles/ive-changed-industries-4-times--if-youre-unsure-about-your-career-change-heres-what-to-do-next

  32. rgstaffing@bellsouth.net

    You can simply say that it was just not a fit and rather than invest any more time in it, you are looking for a career home. Based upon spending 15 years at your previous company, i believe this current position will not impact in any way you getting hired for a new job, Especially considering the shortage of candidates we are experiencing.

  33. DeBorah S. Walker

    I would not even mention the job. You were there two months and prior to that you were at a job for 15 years. After 15 years you wanted a career change and you did a temp position and you realized it wasn't for you don't go into into too much depth about it was just 2 months.

  34. Anonymous

    I have been in this situation at least 3 times in my career, where the position advertised was nothing like what I interviewed for or the environment was so toxic I couldn’t be there for another second. I left a position after 6 weeks and I have omitted that from my resume. So when I started interviewing again and they asked about my “gap” I just said I took a break in between positions. I always also made it a point that I was continually learning during this time, you can take some classes on LinkedIn learning or something to make it show you are still serious about working. It worked for me and I was able to find another position without any issues (I am in the technical program management field in IT mostly). Good luck and just be brave!

  35. Anonymous

    I've had two job bs like that recently. I work in the care sector and the standards of behaviour have plummeted to the point where I can tell in three days. The last two care jobs were three days only. Next one won't be in that sector again.

  36. Candace Lepree

    In the same situation. 3rd day realized I want out. I initially left this job off my resume until recruiters said to keep it to show I am still working. When asked why I am leaving I tell them the reasons - I don't like the work, it's not a good fit. I'm honest about what I'm looking for. I am still looking and interviewing. My advice keep it on your resume and be honest. Recruiters understand that situations happen.

  37. Debbie Cachat

    You left for a reason don’t look back just move on. I share a similar experience . Due to the shortage of employees I have found that potential employers often “sugarcoat” the position offered so you are at a disadvantage immediately. My explanation was simple “the position is not a good fit” and I did not want to waste their time or mine by prolonging it. The pandemic has provided a plethora of opportunities and I wanted to explore positions that were more closely aligned to my skills and the needs of a potential employer. I NEVER received a bad response and everyone was receptive to my honesty. I have had many offers and from those experiences was able to narrow down what I was really looking for and have a great position as a result! Taking a job is always a gamble but if you don’t find the right on right away it is NOT a failure!

  38. Becky Harborth

    “Sugarcoat” is a brilliant analogy. It’s exactly what has been happening.

  39. Anonymous

    phrasing it to say, “ I didn’t want to waste THEIR time or mine,” is great because it shows you think like an owner or a boss by putting the company first.

  40. Anonymous

    This is rough, and I'm so sorry you're going through it. There's nothing like realizing you jumped from a bad situation to a worse one. Get out sooner rather than later. In this day and age, a month is nothing, even if you have to leave it blank on your resume. Start searching for something new now.

  41. Sabrina Green

    You were not there long enough to even consider putting it on a resume. You were probably in training the first two weeks on the job. I would not place this stint on my resume.

  42. Anonymous

    I just experienced this myself. I took a job and within the first month I knew it wasn't right for me. I started my search and looked for something else. I didn't tell prospective employers about my current situation, as it was so short in duration. During the interview process, I just carried on like I was at my old job. While this maybe a little dishonest, it definitely helped save some face about why I was looking. People often take new roles that aren't for them, which is unfortunately a very real reality. The best advice I can give, is make sure you ask a lot of questions about potential new roles and if it puts you in a better spot than your current position or your last position. You can also reach back out to your former manager, I also did that. And even though my employer was very upset when I left, they still were willing to take me back with open arms. (Spoiler alert: I didn't go back as I knew the reasons I left would not have changed). In this competitive market, employers are more tempted to entertain this idea and where you want to be is entirely up to you. :)

  43. Julie Andrews

    Agee with the others that it doesn’t belong on your resume-too much nothing to even discuss. And of course you will know better than anyone, but are you sure you can’t return to your previous employer without speaking to them first? I wouldn’t assume-if they were upended that you left, you might be surprised. I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to talk to someone.

  44. Jacqueline Cutler

    First, I am sorry that you're experiencing this as it must be an awful jolt.

    Second, if you can, I would leave now.

    I am not sure I would list the job if it is such a short time. If you need to, I would say the truth -- it was a bad match and you left to get back on the right path.

    Good luck!

  45. Emily A

    Something similar happened to me. I knew within a week it was the wrong fit for me. I started looking for a new job that was more aligned with my interests and skills immediately and left the job after jjst 3.5 months for something i am enjoying so much more. No one asks questions about the short stint, as it is the only short job on my resume. I was transparent as i was interviewing and would say “i know you may be curious about why I’m already looking for a new job and honestly this role just isn’t the right fit for me and I would rather find something where i can make more of an impact rather than wait it out” every interviewer was nice about it and appreciated it. Don’t fret! You’ve got this

  46. Toni Boyd

    I am sorry that you are experiencing this!

    I would not even list the job. I knew I made a mistake when I took a position, I lasted 5 weeks. I would never put it on my resume. It's like it never happened.

  47. Anonymous

    i never listed a 3 week "mistake' I made about 8 years ago. Agree.

  48. LadyBoss201

    I’m there now. I wouldn’t go back to a former employer. No matter what they say, things won’t change and they will treat you differently. I would put the new job on the resume. I think being honest is better in the long run. Good luck!

  49. Catherine McCubbin

    You can say you realized it was a mistake and give a couple of reasonable, non-accusatory reasons why. I knew one job was a mistake the first day and I wish I just didn’t come back like this other woman did. (And I ended up having to do all her work for months when I was looking for a more supervisory/planning role.)

  50. Anonymous

    I wouldn't post it on your resume or LinkedIn if it goes south or you don't think they'd be a good reference. Career breaks are more common now. They actually have a section on LinkedIn for it now. It's ok to try something new and not have it work out.

  51. Stephanie Forte

    I'm sorry you're going through this but glad you recognize this is not the place for you. I was there a few years ago. My explanation has always been - I recognized it wasn't a good fit for me. I don't feel that providing that response has impacted me negatively. All the best in your search.

  52. Anonymous

    I have left a couple of jobs, over the years, and then returned because it was a "mistake". I called my former employer, admitted my mistake, and was welcomed back with open arms. Have you tried this??? On the other hand, if you do not WANT to return to your prior job, then you're kind of stuck at this moment. You'll have to work this out. Give it your best shot. Give it 90 days. If you feel that you are failing, and you cannot (or will not) return to your prior job, then your choices are very limited. Stick it out, quit, get terminated...and/or look for another job. I really don't have any other advice than this. The ball is in your court.

  53. Tahirah Wineglass

    I am in ur same position, only it’s within the federal govt. I have options though- I previously served 10 yrs prior to medical retirement so I have no probationary period. Which means I can transfer ASAP

  54. Anonymous

    This is the downside to leaving any job for a new one.

    Thus, it is important to make sure you ask the right questions that are important to you when it comes to culture, process, and "a day in the life of" during an interview ... these are 3 areas that I find very important when interviewing with organizations.

    It may be a stepped process in your interview, but make sure you ask to speak to a peer, not a panel of peers, but one individual that is considered successful at the organization. Ask about tenure of the existing team members. This is also a telling sign of turnover or promoting employees.

    The most important for me is being able to talk to a peer in the same position. I ask the hard questions about the current processes and how departments communicate with each other.

    If this is a backfill, then I ask what happened to the last person -- this is a very telling piece of information about the position and the organization as a whole.

    For future reference, do some research on probing interview questions that you feel will accomplish what you are trying to realize about an organization, whether that is around Culture, Processes or daily duties.

  55. Anonymous

    I’m on the same boat except I was at my previous employer for 5 years and although I loved the company they weren’t paying me an adequate salary for my role. However, I have been at my current role (that I hate) for 6 months now and waiting for the right job opportunities to pop up either at my previous company or a different company. You left your company for a reason I’m assuming and it wasn’t just comfort. Dig deep in my opinion see why you left and see if it’s worth it to return or find something new. When people ask when I’m interviewing I just tell them this place is not for me and what I am looking for in my next move to make sure it aligns with that company.

  56. Anonymous

    You were at your last employer for 15 years so it is clear that you are loyal. Tell them that after 15 years you were looking for more of a challenge but this new role is not meeting your expectations due to it not being a cultural fit. Give one example for this. Go on to explain you could be successful at this company and be unhappy for a year or two or you could take action, correct the mistake, and learn from this experience. People will understand

    Check out this article, many many people are in this boat right now! https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2022/03/28/great-resignation-regret-workers-quit-jobs-not-content/7163041001/?gnt-cfr=1

  57. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist

    "It's not the right fit".

    The end. Don't stress over this - many people are in the same situation. You worked for your previous employer for 15 years - it's not like you don't have a stable work history.

    You found this new job you're not happy in - you can find another that will be a better fit.

    GOOD LUCK!

  58. Melissa Verdoni

    do NOT werite this job on your CV , you are not there long enough

  59. Kellie Stafford

    Been there, done (doing) that. I left my last job in an industry that I loved because over the lock down my boss (who I use to like) became a horrible bully. I'd been lucky and never worked under someone like that in the past. So I filed a complaint and soon after ended up leaving on my own accord.

    While I knew I was making a mistake leaving the industry I loved, I didn't realized how bad of a mistake it was. One month into the job I new it wasn't the role or company for me. Two month into it, I was desperate to get out. The only problem was we were still in the thick of Covid. So I've now been with this company for 10 months. I still don't like my job (nice people but not for me). So I apply everywhere.

    When asking why I want to leave my current position, I usually tell them that I realized the industry I was in was where I was meant to be. I thrived in that industry. I was at my best, my most productive and most creative. I loved my job. I tell them I took the position I am in to learn something new, of which I have but it is not a good fit for me. I am looking to get back into the industry I know, love and thrive in.

    All in all... tell the truth. You would like to be somewhere that you believe is the best fit, not just for you but you for the company...

    Best of luck! It's not and easy transition but I think it's worth my happiness and yours to be where we should be. :)

  60. Anonymous

    This is awesome advice, thank you for sharing!

  61. Karen Gongaware

    Anything less than 6 months (unless seasonal job) don't put on your resume.

  62. Anonymous

    Living this right now. I stayed for 6 months so I put it on my resume. I just say it was not a good fit. Less than 6 months, don't put it on your resume. You have a great job history. No one is going to fault you for a gap or, if you decide to list the job, quitting because it was a poor fit.

  63. Ida McCarty

    I went through this last year. I left after 3 weeks of a toxic experience. Given a director position, that was actually bait and switch. When I complained that I was not comfortable doing something outside of my experience wheelhouse, I was told that my job description was fluid. I had no choice in the matter, do it or get out. I left and now explain it as not being a good fit. Recruiters have told me that with the age of Resignation, people do not stay where they do not feel wanted. It is not judged as severely as it was in the past. When I interview, I don't belabor or elaborate. There is no need, and it has not been a problem.

  64. Anonymous

    That is great to hear. Employers can be decieving. Have you been able to find work since?

  65. Ida McCarty

    I was lucky enough to go back to my former position. I am currently interviewing now. Believe me I ask all of the questions that should have given me pause the first time. Once bitten, twice shy..

  66. Anonymous

    That is great news.

  67. Amber Garrett

    If it's not the right fit, it's not the right fit. Don't stick with something that isn't working out, thinking that it will get better.

    Look at all of your options. Are you sincerely interested in going back to the company you spent 15 years with; if so, go back and ask them if they are interested in hiring you back. What's the worst they can say?? Thanks, but no thanks. If you are not interested in going back, then open your horizons.

    Don't limit yourself to thinking that you made a mistake. You made a calculated change. It didn't work out. Now you have the opportunity to find something that will be a better fit and check more boxes on your to-do list.

    Set your sights on finding the right fit. You got this!

  68. Jennifer Challenger

    Explain it exactly as you have here. You were too comfortable in your last role, took a risk and it didn't work out. If the person interviewing you doesn't recognise your bravery and courage for trying, do you want to work for them? Don't let this bump in the road make you forget all the many skills you have. You are still a very valuable addition, to any organisation.

  69. Anonymous

    I would just explain that the company you were at wasn't the right fit. I'm in the same situation and have been slowly applying to jobs. It's time consuming to find a new job and it sucks, but I would stay where you are till you find something new. I will also say, sometimes it takes a few months to get acclimated, there is a learning curve with any new job and sometimes it can be hard to not feel like you're just hitting the ground running (at least that's how I felt when switching jobs). When you worked at a company for many years you probably had a lot of knowledge about the company and what you did. Now you're learning a new position and it will be different.

    I don't say that to discount the fact that you're probably not happy - usually your gut instinct it right. But don't stress too much about why you're leaving this job, and just work to shine in the other parts of the interview!

    (sorry that got long and rambly)

  70. Anonymous

    Thank you. I have been applying however I am told I am not going to make it so staying is not an option. Best of luck in your journey you will get there.

  71. Kathleen

    The very same thing happened to me. I wound up staying with the company despite having people tell me to my face I was going to fail like everyone else who had been trapped in the job. If there is a good time to have a speed bump in your experience, this is it! You can say that you learned the business and were learning the new industry you are transferring into and figured out right away what you do/don't want, can do, want to learn, want to work with, etc.

  72. Anonymous

    I think you can spin this experience into a great selling point. You took a risk. It didn't work out, but you gave it an honest effort and "cut your losses". It takes courage, resilience, and perseverance to take risks and to keep getting up, brushing yourself off, assess what happened & continue onto the next opportunity/experience. I would definitely highlight this as a learning experience & a brave attempt that didn't work out...this time. There are lots of articles about leaders needing to take risks. Read some & adjust your perspective so you can confidently present it.

  73. Anonymous

    This is lovely advice! Not all risks work out. But lessons are learned for next time. Thanks for sharing this perspective.

  74. DeBorah S. Walker

    And thank heavens you realized sooner than later. Some people don't have the guts to leave and they stay for years. Also, it was only two months you could explain that away very easily and you don't have to go into too much debth. You spent 15 years at one career that is what you need to focus on and talk about. You took a couple of months off to mull over options, you needed a breather after 15 years...you were doing some temp work whatever; but don't worry about two months. Two months is a transtional period...I woudn't even put it on my resume period.

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