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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To apply for another job

24 replies

hibiscuslightening · 31/10/2025 22:32

Because it would be be my 5th new job in just over 12 months.

I moved to a new area last year. I left a job I loved to move for family reasons. I thought I had secured a new job in a similar field and was really excited about it. The new job turned out to be a lot more physically challenging than I was expecting and I was assaulted and left after 2 months.

Since then I have had a temporary job in my field. Then tried an admin job in a related area - I lasted 6 months in a toxic environment. I have now taken a part time job in a related area and to be honest I’m hating it. I’m not earning enough and I am finding that I just worry about it all the time when I’m not there.

i have seen a really exciting ‘niche’ job advertised locally which I am qualified for and which fits with my skills. But is in a completely different field. I have spoken to them and they have advised that they believe my skills would be transferable and they have invited me to apply - but they don’t know that have left 3 jobs in the last 12 months.

Would you interview someone with such a poor record ( public sector so can’t just leave jobs off the application)? Or should I take confidence from the fact that I have applied for 5 jobs in the last 12 months and got all of them and just go for it?

OP posts:
FuckKnowsMatee · 31/10/2025 22:39

How long were you actually in each job? The one you was in for two months I wouldn’t even mention tbh so that’s one job down

Original poster
hibiscuslightening · 31/10/2025 22:50

2 months , 3 months, 6 months and currently 2 months and counting…

OP posts:
Givenupshopping · 31/10/2025 23:02

As someone who's probably had more jobs than you've had hot dinners OP, I would go for it, after all, what's the worst that could happen - you don't get it, so what, nothing ventured, nothing gained, and it could be THE job that you settle to for the rest of your working life.

I remember going to an interview for the last job I ever did before I became disabled. The manager who was interviewing me, said 'I notice that you've had rather a lot of jobs, should I be worried about this?' I explained that I had had a lot of jobs, but am not the sort of person who can tolerate laziness amongst my colleagues, and then later in the interview, he told me that they would soon be installing a new system, and asked how I felt about learning something completely different. At this point, I was able to point out that that was where having had a lot of jobs was an attribute, as I was used to learning new systems quickly. I later found out that this was what got me the job.

I say, go for it, and good luck OP.

jetlag92 · 31/10/2025 23:07

So first job you had to move area, don't mention second job - you were settling in to the new area. Then you tried a office role and found it wasn't for you so went back into direct care and then this job came up and you thought it would be ideal.

tupils · 31/10/2025 23:09

Givenupshopping · 31/10/2025 23:02

As someone who's probably had more jobs than you've had hot dinners OP, I would go for it, after all, what's the worst that could happen - you don't get it, so what, nothing ventured, nothing gained, and it could be THE job that you settle to for the rest of your working life.

I remember going to an interview for the last job I ever did before I became disabled. The manager who was interviewing me, said 'I notice that you've had rather a lot of jobs, should I be worried about this?' I explained that I had had a lot of jobs, but am not the sort of person who can tolerate laziness amongst my colleagues, and then later in the interview, he told me that they would soon be installing a new system, and asked how I felt about learning something completely different. At this point, I was able to point out that that was where having had a lot of jobs was an attribute, as I was used to learning new systems quickly. I later found out that this was what got me the job.

I say, go for it, and good luck OP.

Agree with this. Go for it. Nothing to lose. Good luck!

TheatricalLife · 31/10/2025 23:11

Absolutely go for it.
Honestly though, as an employer it would put me off. I can't lie and say it wouldn't. It wouldn't be a definite no, but it would have to be a very strong interview.
Very best of luck to you, I hope this one is your dream role.

SunshineCatcher · 31/10/2025 23:18

I’m on my 3rd different job in the last 7 months. The 1st one was bloody awful and I could not wait to leave! The 2nd job I really loved, and the 3rd job is an even better version of the 2nd one. The 3rd job had many other candidates, so the ‘job hopping’ obviously didn’t put them off. I’m hoping to be settled in this one a while, but who knows what the future holds! Just go for it, what’s the worst that can happen?

Original poster
hibiscuslightening · 01/11/2025 02:12

Thank you for the encouragement- I have had roles that I have stuck at for several years so i hope that balances things out

OP posts:
LivingTheDreamish · 01/11/2025 02:38

I honestly think it will be fine. You moved to a new area and tried a few different jobs but haven't found your fit yet.

Lizchapman · 01/11/2025 13:16

I’d go for it but be prepared to put a very positive spin on why you’ve left other jobs. Ok to say about being assaulted but the others I’d stress why you left to go TO the next job not reasons to leave the one you had. And stress that you’re only thinking of another move because this does look like the ideal job you’ve been searching for since your house move. I’d not say anything bad at all about any of your previous jobs. Good luck.

Kimura · 01/11/2025 13:42

It's not a reason not to apply, but to be completely honest with you, if I saw a CV like that I'd be concerned that either you lacked commitment, hadn't considered that the roles were right for you before accepting or that you had issues fitting in.

Obviously nobody will question why you left the first role. With the part time one, I'd maybe spin it as a placeholder while you found something permanent. I'd be wary of mentioning leaving somewhere due to a 'toxic environment' as well. It's a phrase I tend to find used by people who can't get on with others.

Welshmonster · 01/11/2025 14:23

Apply. Jobs aren’t for life anymore and you have valid reasons for leaving each job.

BadgernTheGarden · 01/11/2025 14:28

Apply, you can say the jobs you've been taking have really been stop gaps and trials that didn't meet your expectations, while you have been looking for a job that was a good fit, try to make it more positive than it looks on paper.

Distracteddistraction · 01/11/2025 16:40

If it seems like it’s a good fit for you go for it. Be prepared to answer a question about the job moves that doesn’t sound like you are either hard to get on with or aren’t committed. So like you’ve said 1st job not what you expected and more physical seems like a v reasonable reason for leaving.
What I would say if if you do get this job and it’s a permanent contract then moving again after a short period would start to look bad.

JMSA · 01/11/2025 19:18

5 jobs in the space of a year is bonkers.
But worth a try anyway 😁 What have you got to lose?

Horserider5678 · 01/11/2025 21:14

hibiscuslightening · 31/10/2025 22:50

2 months , 3 months, 6 months and currently 2 months and counting…

As a recruiter that would be a red flag for me! I’d want consistency in a post not hoping around every few months!

PloddingAlong21 · 02/11/2025 06:27

Just be mindful that it very much could put them off so don’t be suprised if they raise concerns. Maybe proactively address it.

At my company we have a tenure requirement where we avoid job hoppers and they don’t get through recruitment. We allow one ‘blip’ which they can explain but 3 years in post for roles in the last 10 years so we avoid investing time in job hoppers as people aren’t considered as adding value until they’ve been there circa 6 months.

Zanatdy · 02/11/2025 06:31

It would put me off as the recruiter yes as i’d be suspicious why you’d moved on from each job so fast. I’m public sector and you can’t just move like that in my dept. Recruitment is so time consuming so i’d be annoyed someone left so soon and i’d have to start all over again. So yes, your constant job hopping would put me off hiring you.

enterausername2025 · 02/11/2025 06:31

I agree with @jetlag92and would add that if you add your reason in parenthesis on your CV it can only help. I had a few changes (redundancy then temp contract), and found adding context made a big difference. Good luck!

abbynabby23 · 02/11/2025 08:28

FuckKnowsMatee · 31/10/2025 22:39

How long were you actually in each job? The one you was in for two months I wouldn’t even mention tbh so that’s one job down

Just don’t tell them about these jobs! Simple!

Irenesortof · 02/11/2025 13:29

i would want to see an application showing why you left the other jobs and why you want this one. You’ve convinced me already that you’re a serious candidate.

PermanentlyExhaustedPigeonZZZ · 02/11/2025 13:35

Your could just say they were temporary posts... If they're not seeking references from them they'd be none the wiser.

Homegrownberries · 02/11/2025 13:38

If you don't apply for the job you're definitely not getting it so what have you got to lose?

MyBrightPeer · 02/11/2025 18:23

As a hiring manager it would be a red flag but not a red line. I would ask you about it though due to safer recruitment practice - don’t leave anything off (the lie is much worse) and just be prepared to answer a question about it. If they don’t want you based on an honest answer, you can’t do anything else but there’s nothing to stop you trying.

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