Career Change & short term jobs

[Lisaaas1]

I wasn't quite sure how to phrase the subject but the two scenarios I'd like some advice on (friends and family don't see the issue but keen for an objective perspective).

1. Been in my roles in LA for mostly long term stints, between 2 and 6/8 years but recently had one of 11 months when I moved briefly out of LA to private sector and was not for me. Current role is back in LA been there for 5 months. Terribly managed, toxic culture and not s great job and not as described on paper. Will two consecutive short term jobs matter on the grand scheme of things? I don't particularly like having 2 short term jobs but I also don't see the point of staying somewhere I'm unhappy with. What do you think. Second situation...

1. Have worked mostly in office management but also a couple of support roles in LD via LA throughout and before the pandemic. Totally enjoyed the working with people aspect but the roles were very unstructured and there was no way the team had a plan to change after several conversations so I left and went back into office management.

So, desperately miss the working with and helping others but my employment history in this field is there but scarce. Would this look suspicious if I applied for another role in LD or similar other than office management which really isn't my calling?

Thanks for reading. Appreciate this may read as though I don't know what I want but sometimes you have to try other things to find what you want?

I've had a similar experience recently to your scenario 2. In application forms I emphasised my relevant experience for the role. For the most recent (and successful) interview I gave a long spiel at the start about 'my story'. Basically explaining how everything related to me being there and what I'd learnt/enjoyed/motivated me on the way.

So for you, you've had some LD experience, you enjoy helping others, emphasises the positive outcomes you had and that you want to do more of that.

Re changing jobs. I think it's fine, they didn't work out but in an interview talk about them positively and what you learnt and what you are know looking for. Not the private sector is shit but something like how important it is the you're contributing to the community (or whatever is drawing you back). You can also talk about the importance of team values and think about how you can check in the interview that the team you're going to is right for you.

Being open and honest (and positive) will make you feel good and relax you in the interview. Don't view any of it as mistakes just part of your learning.