Is it ok to want to leave a job after working there for 8 months?

[Metsgal]

I was at my previous job for 12 years, the company closed so I got laid off. I've been at my current job for 8 months and due to a number of reasons I want to quit and find something else. The reasons are: I'm doing the same kind of work like my previous job and I don't want to do that anymore, the commute is rather long, lately my hours have been cut short every week due to no work, not only me, but everyone else-so I've been working 30 hours every week, even if I do work in a full time position , my paycheck is cut short. And it seems that its an on going basis not just currently , so depending on work -it looks like the majority of the time I my hours will be cut short either way. I mean,  I could find a job that's closer to me for the same pay and I could be working a full 40 hour work week. 

The only day I applied for a position and had a phone interview-the interviewer was saying to me, like "oh, there has to be a reason why you are wanting to leave your job for only after 8 months and seeing that you were at your previous job for 12 years, makes me wonder.." something along those lines and mentioned that she didn't want to hire someone who will want to switch jobs for only a few months..kind of referring to my situation. I'm like wth? First,  I'm not a "job -Hopper" where I jump from job to job every 5 months or so. I mean, I had a stable work history for 12 years at my old job. I don't like my current job plain and simple. I don't see why its wrong to want to leave a job less than a year. I browsed through a lot of LinkedIn accounts and noticed there are some people who switch jobs after working there for at least a year...From what I read, its good to change careers/see what's out there so switching jobs less than a year form me isn't a crime. Just seems like the interviewer/recruiter was drilling on me why to want to leave working there less than a year and assuming that I'm going to do the same.  

Edited January 1, 2020 by Metsgal

[CautiouslyOptimistic]

I once left a job after 4 months after 15 years at the same place (kinda....I took an almost 5 year break in there to have babies).  It just wasn't the right fit.   No harm in saying that and if a potential employer disagrees, then that just means that's not the right fit either.

[alphamale]

I agree with CO...tell the new company that "it just wasn't the right fit" which would be the truth.  But whatever you do DO NOT badmouth your current employer.

[OpenBook]

I would have told her exactly what you told us - that they cut back your hours (and hence your pay), and you want a regular 40-hour-per-week job that's closer to home. That is reasonable, and it's the truth.

I do understand where the interviewer is coming from. Turnover costs the company a lot. I think it's a good sign that they're asking about that, it implies it's important to them that they retain their employees.

[Metsgal]

4 minutes ago, OpenBook said:

I would have told her exactly what you told us - that they cut back your hours (and hence your pay), and you want a regular 40-hour-per-week job that's closer to home. That is reasonable, and it's the truth.

I do understand where the interviewer is coming from. Turnover costs the company a lot. I think it's a good sign that they're asking about that, it implies it's important to them that they retain their employees.

Okay, so if I told them cutting back hours, my pay, closer to home would that be considered bad mouthing current employer? Is there a chance they will badger me and say, 'So, if you were hired and we cut back your hours are you going to leave also?" Or would it be more professional to say that I'm leaving because I'm looking for other career opportunities that will be a better fit for me-without a recruiter pressing me to know why exactly I want to quit?

[OpenBook]

No it's not bad-mouthing your current employer in my opinion - it's exactly what they're doing to you! If the interviewer continues to badger you about it ("Will you leave if we also cut back your hours?"), say you don't mind if it happens every once in awhile, but not on a regular basis. Just my personal take, I don't like the "looking for a better fit" response - it's too vague, and implies you're hiding something (negative) about yourself. You want to convey the message that you're willing to work hard for the company. Provide past examples of successes. Sell yourself.

[IntBrowser]

5 hours ago, Metsgal said:

I was at my previous job for 12 years, the company closed so I got laid off. I've been at my current job for 8 months and due to a number of reasons I want to quit and find something else. The reasons are: I'm doing the same kind of work like my previous job and I don't want to do that anymore, the commute is rather long, lately my hours have been cut short every week due to no work, not only me, but everyone else-so I've been working 30 hours every week, even if I do work in a full time position , my paycheck is cut short. And it seems that its an on going basis not just currently , so depending on work -it looks like the majority of the time I my hours will be cut short either way. I mean,  I could find a job that's closer to me for the same pay and I could be working a full 40 hour work week. 

The only day I applied for a position and had a phone interview-the interviewer was saying to me, like "oh, there has to be a reason why you are wanting to leave your job for only after 8 months and seeing that you were at your previous job for 12 years, makes me wonder.." something along those lines and mentioned that she didn't want to hire someone who will want to switch jobs for only a few months..kind of referring to my situation. I'm like wth? First,  I'm not a "job -Hopper" where I jump from job to job every 5 months or so. I mean, I had a stable work history for 12 years at my old job. I don't like my current job plain and simple. I don't see why its wrong to want to leave a job less than a year. I browsed through a lot of LinkedIn accounts and noticed there are some people who switch jobs after working there for at least a year...From what I read, its good to change careers/see what's out there so switching jobs less than a year form me isn't a crime. Just seems like the interviewer/recruiter was drilling on me why to want to leave working there less than a year and assuming that I'm going to do the same.  

It's there is something out there better that came to surface then yes.    Now taking off to go on interviews may become a little challenging.     I left a job after 5 weeks because something came through that was in pending status

[IntBrowser]

3 hours ago, Metsgal said:

Okay, so if I told them cutting back hours, my pay, closer to home would that be considered bad mouthing current employer? Is there a chance they will badger me and say, 'So, if you were hired and we cut back your hours are you going to leave also?" Or would it be more professional to say that I'm leaving because I'm looking for other career opportunities that will be a better fit for me-without a recruiter pressing me to know why exactly I want to quit?

you developed a skill at the current place that you discovered will work well with their goals and missions.   You would just mention what that skill is that you developed in 8 months

[PegNosePete]

21 hours ago, Metsgal said:

'So, if you were hired and we cut back your hours are you going to leave also?"

My response would be: "It's never an easy decision, and it would depend on many factors. At the moment I'm looking for full time employment. Is this post likely to have its hours cut in the foreseeable future?"

 

[Pumaza]

Sure leave anytime. Life is short,no point of forcing stuff and be unhappy. But make sure you have a new job first. Because you got bills to pay.And see first if you got adjustment issues or its really not it.

 

[LuckyM]

Why tell your new employer anything ?   I would leave it off resume.

Or you will need a very compelling reason why you left: illness, take care of parent

great new opportunity, etc. If they ask what you were doing for 8 months, make up a credible story

for their sympathy. I used to mention jobs of short duration, too, and it did not help me---

unless the job was supposed to be temparary. You could say that. Or they could discover your lie.

NOT the truth.

[d0nnivain]

I would be reluctant to work for an employer who came right out & asked you think on an interview. 

However, since you cite the length of your commute as a factor, mention that when asked if the new place is closer.