Why do i leave my jobs after staying only shortly?

Question

I'm only 26 years old and hvae been in 4 companies. I stayed for two years in my first job, 1 year in my second, 6 months in my third and im currently on my 7th month in my fourth company. I left the 1st company because the 2nd company was a better opportunity. The 3rd company doubled my salary but i didn't get along with the company's culture. Im getting bored with my current (4th) company and i want to leave already. I have always been in marketing of consumer goods and now, working for telco's, i dont get challenged as much. What i would like to know really is why i get bored very easily. Is there something wrong with me? They say that not being able to stay in a job for a long time is a sign of immaturity. Is this the case for me? to be honest, I'm not really sure what i want to do with my life, if im going to remain corporate forever or if i should just start my own business. I easily get dissatisfied and demoralized with my work. Help, i dont want to ruin my resume!

Answer 1

Perhaps you should start your own company, you sound like it would be a good route for you to take. Learn what you can, and then break out on your own.

Answer 2

you should tell yourself that for each job you will give yourself 2 or 3 years whether you like it or not. So determine carefully if you want a specific job or not. You can even say no in an interview if you want to. Staying 3-6 months at a job looks bad on your resume. Sometimes if you do too much of that you will have to drop some months from your resume and say things like you were helping your mom while she was ill, or you had an operation (that they can verify) or that you took time out to educate more (if you did), or you traveled with your husband who was in the military, etc. or whatever reason is real...don't fake anything or they will find out and fire you.

You need to pretend you (as a person) are a business...and determine what exactly your product (you) can do, the benefits an employer will have from hiring you, what you really want to do in life (search on the net what background interesting jobs require and the pay), and then figure what your bills per month would be and how much money you need per month, and then figure out what you need to do to get where you want to be. If it requires contacts then make some, if it requires specialty education or more education then get that. Remember (just like a business) to have an entrance and exit strategy. If you're still not sure what you want to do then go to a community college and take one of those career tests (don't try to outsmart it, just respond quickly and see what the outcome is). Find out your strengths (and weaknesses). Then talk to people who are in the career you'd like to get into, ask them all about it, ask if they like it and don't like it.

Answer 3

You're restless! You're not doing what you want. I think you should stay there until you decide what you want. Whether it's changing careers, companies, cities whatever. Think about what you DO and DON'T like at each company and see what comes out the same. Think about things that you WANT to be doing at work but aren't right now. Try to find something where you can combine the good of the path you've taken with the path you'd like to travel.

At 26 you still have time to make a change. I didn't see anything about wife and kids so if you're going to take risks, now is the time. I think the fact that you see these job changes as an issue, shows you are not immature.

Go for what you want.

Answer 4

I have never quit a job. I was fired from the only job I have had other than the ones I have done for my parents. I am not yet 21 though. I did the stupid job that I had well, but that didn't matter to my employer. The managers just didn't like me. Atleast you don't have to put on your resume that you were fired. One thing though that anyone can do to boast their resume is to volunteer. Volunteer work can make life more interesting, you can usually quit whenever you want, and you can use it to get ideas for what you want to do or it can lead dirrectly to a paid job. Volunteer work also makes you feel good about yourself. Another thing you might want to do is do a lot of research on the next company that you think you might want to work for and don't leave your job until you are sure about it. I'm sure your resume looks better than mine.

Answer 5

Very mature of you to be concerned because you can ruin your resume by job hopping. If you leave the short-term jobs off of your resume, that raises questions. If you lie about your start and end dates for jobs, you can easily be "found out". (In fact, just never lie on a resume, period.)

I've hired a ton of people and work history was always the very first thing I looked for. Job hopping is perceived as a demonstration of several things: lack of loyalty, inability to be satisfied (aka high maintenance), inability to "stick with it" therefore probably a poor performer. I'm not saying that's true of you, but I thought you should know how prospective employers view it.

I would suggest that you stay where you are, but start some career counseling on the side. You can do it through a professional, but you can do it just as easily thru your own research. Really take the time to think thru your next steps before you decide to leave your job or else you may find your next job just as miserable.

I read a book a while back about this topic. I think it was called Now Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham. It speaks to how we do these jobs that we really aren't cut out for, then spend all kinds of time trying to fix our weaknesses and otherwise tweak ourselves to perform better or to enjoy our jobs more. This book emphasizes the importance of determining your own personal strengths then finding work that allows you to use them. When you align your work to your strengths and interests, then you find your work fulfilling and something to get out of bed for. I speak from experience because I've had a job that really didn't suit me (although I excelled at it) and now I have a job that I can't wait to get to every day. Your work can be fulfilling - you just have to know yourself and make some good well planned choices.

Best of luck to you! You're young and obviously thinking thru this, so you'll get there - just be true to yourself. Don't wait until you're 40 to find out that you've spent a whole lot of time doing something you hate.

Answer 6

No,you are not adnormal.You need to figure out what you like to do, and also would be challenging.I would suggest,if you have not already done so....to take an aptitude test,it points out not only what interests you but also what you would be good at.You also need to consider that you need a good job history...and by quitting all the time,it just looks bad.Put some serious effort into what you are doing,your future depends on it,and many people do not have the luxery of 'loving their job'.Good Luck to you!!

Answer 7

It takes an average of 10 jobs to finally find one that you like. Its tough if you need a lot of training for a career then find out you really do not like it. Not an uncommon occurrence!! But every thing you learn will be of help to you from time to time. lol

Answer 8

this is actually more normal than you think.....40 years ago people found a job and stayed there forever....that is no longer the case.....if you change jobs for a better job...that's great.....and if you do not feel happy in a position why would you stay...that doesn't make sense.....you will find your niche in life.....give yourself a break

no matter what decisions you make in life there will always be someone who will tear you down

Answer 9

You always think the grass may be greener on the other side. You need to stay where you are for awhile. You will definitely raise eye brows on your resume.

Answer 10

you leave your jobs because selling tacos would get boring to anyone. And your resume, well, working for a taco company is only going to get you so far, try branching out; burritos or enchiladas perhaps.