A career coach who has assisted over 700 clients advises against being afraid to leave a bad job, as the advice to "stay a full year" is now considered outdated and oversimplified.

Sarah was trapped in a nightmare job after landing what she thought was a dream job. Despite months of searching, she discovered that her team was stretched too thin and her supervisor, who seemed charismatic, was incompetent and disengaged.

"Sarah, a marketing specialist in her late 20s, expressed her frustration during her first career coaching session with me, stating, "This place is a complete dumpster fire, and I don't know how I'll make it a year.""

"Then don't," I replied.

She inquired about the potential negative impact on her resume of being in a job for less than a year, expressing confusion.

I have assisted over 700 clients in various industries, job functions, and age groups as a career coach, and many of them have inquired about how to maintain a positive attitude while enduring an unsatisfactory work environment to prevent being perceived as a job-hopper.

A 2022 survey by HR consultancy Robert Half found that 77% of senior managers named "frequent job hopping" as a top factor that gave them pause when evaluating resumes, slightly more than "vague descriptions of past jobs" (76%) and "insufficient skills for the position" (74%).

The phrase "stick it out for a year" and its variations are frequently used as career advice, but this outdated and oversimplified advice can be harmful and keep individuals in unhappy jobs for longer than necessary.

Why 'stay a full year' is out-of-date and lacks nuance

Some employers still believe that long-term employees are more dependable and easier to collaborate with, making them better candidates for a job.

Many job seekers, particularly millennials and Gen Z, have a different perspective on job tenure and turnover. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median tenure of workers aged 25 to 34 years was 2.8 years in 2022, compared to 9.8 years for workers aged 55 to 64. Additionally, more than a third (35%) of turnover occurs within the first year of employment, as reported by the Work Institute in their 2023 retention report. Furthermore, 80% of respondents said it's acceptable to leave a job in under six months if it doesn't meet their expectations, according to a 2022 Muse survey.

Economic shifts and changing workforce dynamics, particularly in the pandemic and post-pandemic era, have led the hiring managers to acknowledge that shorter stints are becoming more common for even the most skilled workers.

Although a history of short employment may raise concerns among some recruiters, having one or two shorter jobs won't necessarily dissuade a reasonable hiring team, as long as you can provide context. If it does, it could be a sign of the company's culture.

How to decide whether to stay or go if you're unhappy at work

It's not worth enduring harassment, burnout, or an unsafe work environment if you have viable financial or professional alternatives. However, if these circumstances are not extreme, consider whether it's time to leave before a year has passed.

Get another perspective

Seek advice from friends, family, peers, and mentors. Instead of asking open-ended questions like "What do you think?", ask specific questions like "Is this experience typical?" or "Is it possible for this to improve over time?"

If you lack a strong professional network or your loved ones are unable to assist you, it may be beneficial to seek advice from a career coach.

Try to resolve pain points within your control

It's important to communicate your challenges to your colleagues and supervisors, and to try to be as specific and objective as possible. Additionally, suggest a potential solution and ask for their input.

If consistent and strategic efforts are not improving the situation, it's acceptable to cut your losses.

Check your track record

A few shorter work experiences may not significantly impact your resume if your previous roles were longer than a year.

It may be wise to search for a better job match, even if you have a less consistent work history, rather than settling for a subpar position just to avoid being perceived as a job-hopper.

Don't live your life for hypothetical recruiters hiring hypothetical roles.

How to get into a good job ASAP

To gracefully leave your job and set yourself up for success, start strategizing.

• While planning your exit from your current job, prioritize tasks that will enhance your skills, strengthen your relationships with mentors or potential references, and produce portfolio pieces that highlight your achievements.
• Keep track of your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. When sharing your accomplishments with potential employers, every victory counts towards your overall narrative.
• To ensure an effective and focused job search, it is important to protect your personal time and energy.
• Be ready to answer interview questions about your short tenure with clarity and confidence. It's natural for a hiring manager to inquire about your brief experience, so be prepared with a brief, honest explanation. It's acceptable to say that the role wasn't a good fit for your long-term goals or that the company underwent unexpected changes after you started. Keep your answer concise and professional, and show your enthusiasm for the position in question.

Before making a hasty decision to switch roles, take the time to evaluate your current situation and determine what you truly desire next.

Hasty decision-making can lead to a more unfavorable outcome in the long run.

Phoebe Gavin is a career coach, speaker, and trainer who specializes in career strategy, negotiation, and empathetic leadership. She is the author of "The Workplace Guide to Time Management: Best Practices to Maximize Productivity."

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