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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Minimum amount of time I can have in hell job without ballsing up my CV

151 replies

Terramom · 13/05/2024 18:35

Hi all,

I need some help
and a handhold please. NC for this but long time poster.

I will try and keep this brief:

I have been in my new job for 4 months and it’s making me ill. My line manager is a micromanaging bully and the only person above her is too busy to care/do anything (I have tried) but also spends most of her time so busy and stressed she is unavailable and can be incredibly rude. I have far too much work, I’m interrupted constantly, there is so much pressure on top of dealing with the behaviour from my superiors.

This has never happened to me in a job before but I think I’m starting to get ill. I was in tears at lunchtime and on the way home due to the way I was spoken to throughout the day. I didn’t eat my lunch as I felt sick. I have no history or mental health issues.

it’s a skilled admin based role that requires certain qualifications, which I have.

we have no HR - small business.

Please don’t make suggestions as to what I should do differently, I have made up my mind that I want to go.

-I am 38
-been in this job for 4 months
-previous job 2 years (left as gained higher qualifications that weren’t really useable in that role)
-job before that 3 years, left due to relocation

I have passed my probation in new job and have become aware that they have had problems getting someone to “stick” in the role, the person before me lasted 3 days.

Looking at these facts- how long do I need to tolerate my current role before I can leave without it making my CV look bad ? 12 months ?

if I have an end point in mind I think it will help me cope.

thanks 😊

OP posts:
ByUmberViewer · 13/05/2024 18:36

Leave as soon as possible and omit it from your CV in future.

Original poster
Terramom · 13/05/2024 18:36

Thank you… but how would I explain a 4 month gap?

OP posts:
PineappleTime · 13/05/2024 18:36

Stay for 6 months then start looking and applying, you have to give a month notice I assume?

Smarshian · 13/05/2024 18:37

Just leave - it really isn’t worth it and won’t impact you’re cv if you either omit or just state it didn’t work out.

Nicebloomers · 13/05/2024 18:37

6 months

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 13/05/2024 18:37

Are you still on probation? that's what that is for - to see if you suit the job and the job suits you. You can explain it as 'was in a job, wasn't a good fit.'

ByUmberViewer · 13/05/2024 18:38

Terramom · 13/05/2024 18:36

Thank you… but how would I explain a 4 month gap?

Say you went travelling, or freelance.

HerRoyalNotness · 13/05/2024 18:38

Leave at anytime. Just say the position wasn’t what you were looking for

Secondguess · 13/05/2024 18:38

Leave. It's better to say that after starting the role you realised it was a bad fit and it was clear after a few months that the issues couldn't be resolved. Better to say this now and move on.

jeaux90 · 13/05/2024 18:38

Yep leave, it's ok to have a blip and just explain it didn't work for you due to culture or you took time out.

I'm really senior, it has happened to me too. Of I am interviewing people I will ask about it but I'm happy if they just tell me it didn't work out. If the rest of the CV is ok I wouldn't worry. It's the jumping around a lot that causes more concern.

QuirkyUmberPoster · 13/05/2024 18:39

Go for it
As someone who has recruited, as long as it was a one off and not a pattern on your CV, I would absolutely understand and if you ticked all other boxes I wouldn’t care. I’d say it would only be an issue if this occurred multiple times.

I stayed in my hell job for 18 months and wish I’d left sooner. The red flags were there and I chose to ignore them and it did me no good.

LisaD1 · 13/05/2024 18:39

I would leave now and you can easily explain that the working environment did not align with your goals or values. I’ve interviewed over 700 people for a large corporate and I’ve never been put off by someone leaving an unsuitable environment who was honest.

I have and would withdraw a job offer if the candidate lied by omitting the role. It’s very easy to see if you run proper pre employment checks.

JammyJellyfish · 13/05/2024 18:40

Really does not matter - you can always say the role was not a good fit for you. Include anything over 6 months on your CV which this role just about covers (add in notice/holidays etc).

Start looking now...

Octavia64 · 13/05/2024 18:41

Leave.

Everyone's had jobs like that.

If you don't want to put it on your CB say you went travelling.

stayathomer · 13/05/2024 18:41

I’m any new job you can do a ‘I couldn’t not apply for you as I’ve always wanted to work here/ thought the role was perfect etc’ I’d get out too!

AgathaMystery · 13/05/2024 18:41

Leave now and put ‘16 week contract’ on your CV. No lie, no omission. Don’t go back OP - sounds hideous.

Ilovemyshed · 13/05/2024 18:42

Leave. Put it on your CV as a temp contract position.

CanaryCanary · 13/05/2024 18:42

If you can afford it, leave now and just leave it off your CV.

In a similar situation 20 years ago I left, did a 2 week guided tour holiday and then when asked about the gap in my CV said I’d been travelling. The tour gave me enough “oh yes, Bratislava was amazing blah blah” to bluff my way through.

If you can’t afford to leave without a job to go to, then start applying elsewhere immediately and just say in interview that it’s not the role you expected and you aren’t able to use your skills effectively given the way the organisation operates. Don’t bitch about the managers or current job, just explain what you’re looking for, briefly say why this role turns out not to match that, then move on to why the role you’re interviewing for would be a much better fit.

FarmGirl78 · 13/05/2024 18:43

I had a (professional) job many years ago I only stuck for 4 months. Now when it appears on my CV (it looks impressive) my reason for leaving is "Was only temporary post to cover maternity leave".

Samlewis96 · 13/05/2024 18:43

Terramom · 13/05/2024 18:36

Thank you… but how would I explain a 4 month gap?

Travel, family commitments . Whatever it doesn't really matter

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 13/05/2024 18:44

AgathaMystery · 13/05/2024 18:41

Leave now and put ‘16 week contract’ on your CV. No lie, no omission. Don’t go back OP - sounds hideous.

I did that for a horrendous perm job - I'd come out of temping and this was supposed to be my first perm job in years. I knew after a week it was a mistake but stuck out to the end of probation and it's on my CV as another temporary assignment.

OP, as people have said, if the rest of your CV is solid 4 months won't matter.

DramaAlpaca · 13/05/2024 18:44

I think you can, and should, go now. Or at least start looking. It won't be a problem having one short stay job on your CV, you can talk about it as being a poor fit for you. It happens. Or you could leave it off your CV altogether.

Don't stay somewhere that's putting your mental health at risk. I made that mistake, stayed too long and ended up so burnt out I had to take a couple of months off and needed therapy to cope with the mental fallout. My job was also in a small business with similar management. The only cure for what you are feeling is to get out as soon as you can.

aodirjjd · 13/05/2024 18:44

I would just start applying. 1 short job doesn’t mess up a cv it’s only if you’ve got one after the other.

Scissor · 13/05/2024 18:45

Leave as soon as you can if it's making you ill.

CV can be any reason for leaving that is truthful.
Signs are that you could think of a fair few given how you feel.
If you are in a career where every job needs listing then for a short spell of employment a while ago I have said "left due to personal circumstances, now permanently resolved"
It made me laugh and triggered no questions at interview.
It's maybe references if you need a current one?

But please, if you're feeling this bad, do not stay. You could cause yourself real harm if your mental health is taking a battering, do not underestimate how long it could take you to feel better if you continue to be this stressed, your body is telling you that this is not a safe place for you.

shuffleofftobuffalo · 13/05/2024 18:46

I'd start looking now and move AsAp, life is too short for that nonsense. Don't worry about short jobs - it's very different when you have one short job vs a career of short jobs.

Shortest role I had was 4 months and that was only because they strung out the notice period - I realised in week 2 it wasn't for me and started looking around.