ASK HR: A wise employee reads the signs, and if gloomy, plans an exit

Q. I was hired to do public relations for a company that stages art and theatrical events. After eight months however, I realised that I might be wasting my talent in a company that does not have definite objectives. I want to quit, but I am worried about adding a relatively short-term gig on my resume. Is this a factor that could negatively affect my career growth?

Many stay in jobs that are not fulfilling for diverse reasons. Some do it for money, others for experience, work environment, goal and values alignment, while others stay due to bonds formed with colleagues and customers.

That said, it is important to know the right time to venture out. At the start of any new job, a smart employee can tell within the first three to six months if they will settle with an employer for long. While many think a probation period serves the needs of an employer only, it also offers the employee an opportunity to figure out if joining the organisation was a wise career move. 

So, what happens to your eight-month work experience? My advice is that you include it in your resume. You are better off highlighting the experience gained at this gig than explaining an eight-month career gap in your CV. Since this short stint at this job will still stand out as odd to some employers, highlight the experience you have gained, working in a unique business industry. Talk about skills that you have gained too: communication, negotiation, branding and leadership, including navigating your career in an organisation focused primarily on short-term goals. Also highlight networks and relationships you have built that would be useful to potential employers.

If this was your first job, highlight your desire to search for a job that compliments your skills and competencies better, to avoid coming across as a flight risk. Emphasise your need for a challenging role to enable you grow. If you have worked elsewhere before, demonstrate that you can be trusted to stay and serve an employer for a reasonable time and link this to your previous job, assuming you did stay for a longer period than eight months.

As you plan your exit, do this in a professional manner. Your employer may be contacted to provide reference on your conduct, so do not burn this bridge.