Comments on: Twentysomething: Why it's smart to quit a job after just two weeks of work http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/03/11/twentysomething-why-its-smart-to-quit-a-job-after-just-two-weeks-of-work/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:59:26 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Jon http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/03/11/twentysomething-why-its-smart-to-quit-a-job-after-just-two-weeks-of-work/comment-page-5/#comment-221569 Jon Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:01:15 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=2258#comment-221569 The rotations are usually a one year minimum. They are very demanding and they are trying to weed out quitters. You have to relocate every year, usually to a different part of the country, and you're always the one person there with no experience so people treat you like you don't know anything for the first 3-4 years of your career because you've only been in their sector for less than a year. It's like being a rookie 3 or 4 times in as many years. You don't just do two weeks on the job and say, "I don't think this is for me. Can I go to the next assignment now?" haha you'd just get laughed at. The rotations are usually a one year minimum. They are very demanding and they are trying to weed out quitters. You have to relocate every year, usually to a different part of the country, and you're always the one person there with no experience so people treat you like you don't know anything for the first 3-4 years of your career because you've only been in their sector for less than a year. It's like being a rookie 3 or 4 times in as many years. You don't just do two weeks on the job and say, "I don't think this is for me. Can I go to the next assignment now?" haha you'd just get laughed at.

]]> By: Papa http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/03/11/twentysomething-why-its-smart-to-quit-a-job-after-just-two-weeks-of-work/comment-page-5/#comment-221565 Papa Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:57:50 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=2258#comment-221565 Although I will add, two weeks is simply not enough time to judge anything. I think 1 year is a bare minimum. Seriously, most jobs take you through training the first two weeks. Even in the most basics of job duties - i.e.) a cashier at Walmart, you will not be performing your daily job functions, until after the first two weeks. Even then, you will go through the struggle of getting adjusted to a new environment. This could take anywhere from weeks to months. It isnt until after that, when you can decide if the job, and the job responsibilities are to your liking. I wanted to quit my current job after 2 months of starting it, but I am glad I didnt - because I have certainly learned and gained a lot from it (financially, and experience wise). Now when I leave this place, I have a good measure of comparing my experience here to the new experience. Although I will add, two weeks is simply not enough time to judge anything. I think 1 year is a bare minimum. Seriously, most jobs take you through training the first two weeks. Even in the most basics of job duties – i.e.) a cashier at Walmart, you will not be performing your daily job functions, until after the first two weeks. Even then, you will go through the struggle of getting adjusted to a new environment. This could take anywhere from weeks to months. It isnt until after that, when you can decide if the job, and the job responsibilities are to your liking.

I wanted to quit my current job after 2 months of starting it, but I am glad I didnt – because I have certainly learned and gained a lot from it (financially, and experience wise). Now when I leave this place, I have a good measure of comparing my experience here to the new experience.

]]> By: Jon http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/03/11/twentysomething-why-its-smart-to-quit-a-job-after-just-two-weeks-of-work/comment-page-5/#comment-221560 Jon Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:33:11 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=2258#comment-221560 I guess if you're trying to get jobs that don't require any experience or a degree, like if you want to be a secretary or something, then it wouldn't matter that you're a quitter. However, in jobs that require a security clearance, they will do a 7 year background investigation and part of that is what they consider "moral character". They will talk to every neighbor you've ever had, every boss you've ever had, and if they find that you've omitted something, you'll be blacklisted by the entire industry and you'll never be able to obtain a security clearance, which companies often require because corporate espionage is a serious problem. If you've left a job within less than a month, it will raise a huge red flag because it is an enormous investment to hire a new employee and if they leave, it's a very costly loss to the company. Also, by rule of thumb, I mean a general accepted standard that people tend to go off of. It's probably not actually written anywhere. The "ideal" to which you are referring is called self-respect. I served in operation Iraqi freedom and I was a scout in the initial invasion with the 4th infantry division. You can't imagine how challenging that was. I saw 18 and 19 year old American's bodies ripped to pieces by shrapnel from the enemies improvised explosive devices, rocket propelled grenades, and .50cal rounds and I wanted to quit. We all wanted to quit at one time or another. But we stuck to it because of an "ideal". We swore to defend the American way, whether we agreed with it or not, and I can hold my head high because I will always know that I am not a quitter. I know that I will always stick to my ideals, no matter how difficult times get. And my loyal service to the United States military and the brothers and sisters that I fought beside will always attest to that for me. But that's why I graduated college with honors and also why I had a dozen job offers over $75k when I graduated. They know I won't quit just because times get a little hard. But that's just me. I don't need to be taken care of by my mommy (although I know she'd love to have me back at home) and when I get married, the woman will know that I will never give up on her either. See, it means a lot to people when someone has the fortitude to stick by their beliefs and not quit. Quitters become haters...and you sound like you're starting to become a hater. Oh, the question I had for you guys was, "if you quit within the first two weeks, does that mean you put in your 2-week notice on the first day?" Because if you had a job where that mattered, that employer would be really pissed, and if you had a job where that didn't matter, I'm guessing it was Wal-Mart or Costco that you were working for to begin with. Either way, you suck at life! lol I guess if you're trying to get jobs that don't require any experience or a degree, like if you want to be a secretary or something, then it wouldn't matter that you're a quitter. However, in jobs that require a security clearance, they will do a 7 year background investigation and part of that is what they consider "moral character". They will talk to every neighbor you've ever had, every boss you've ever had, and if they find that you've omitted something, you'll be blacklisted by the entire industry and you'll never be able to obtain a security clearance, which companies often require because corporate espionage is a serious problem. If you've left a job within less than a month, it will raise a huge red flag because it is an enormous investment to hire a new employee and if they leave, it's a very costly loss to the company.
Also, by rule of thumb, I mean a general accepted standard that people tend to go off of. It's probably not actually written anywhere. The "ideal" to which you are referring is called self-respect. I served in operation Iraqi freedom and I was a scout in the initial invasion with the 4th infantry division. You can't imagine how challenging that was. I saw 18 and 19 year old American's bodies ripped to pieces by shrapnel from the enemies improvised explosive devices, rocket propelled grenades, and .50cal rounds and I wanted to quit. We all wanted to quit at one time or another. But we stuck to it because of an "ideal". We swore to defend the American way, whether we agreed with it or not, and I can hold my head high because I will always know that I am not a quitter. I know that I will always stick to my ideals, no matter how difficult times get. And my loyal service to the United States military and the brothers and sisters that I fought beside will always attest to that for me. But that's why I graduated college with honors and also why I had a dozen job offers over $75k when I graduated. They know I won't quit just because times get a little hard. But that's just me. I don't need to be taken care of by my mommy (although I know she'd love to have me back at home) and when I get married, the woman will know that I will never give up on her either. See, it means a lot to people when someone has the fortitude to stick by their beliefs and not quit. Quitters become haters…and you sound like you're starting to become a hater.

Oh, the question I had for you guys was, "if you quit within the first two weeks, does that mean you put in your 2-week notice on the first day?" Because if you had a job where that mattered, that employer would be really pissed, and if you had a job where that didn't matter, I'm guessing it was Wal-Mart or Costco that you were working for to begin with. Either way, you suck at life! lol

]]> By: Papa http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/03/11/twentysomething-why-its-smart-to-quit-a-job-after-just-two-weeks-of-work/comment-page-5/#comment-221558 Papa Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:02:49 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=2258#comment-221558 This job market is terrible. I am ready to quit this monotonous job, but I dont want to be unemployed. The fear of remaining unemployed, and not being able to find a job is too high. This job market is terrible. I am ready to quit this monotonous job, but I dont want to be unemployed. The fear of remaining unemployed, and not being able to find a job is too high.

]]> By: Redfoot http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/03/11/twentysomething-why-its-smart-to-quit-a-job-after-just-two-weeks-of-work/comment-page-5/#comment-221381 Redfoot Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:27:11 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=2258#comment-221381 "Good luck justifying that to potential future employers without looking like a quitter" You don't have to justify anything. Future employers don't need to know about every single job you had, just the ones you choose to put on your resume. A job you had for only 2 weeks not even worth putting on your resume. "A good rule of thumb is to hack it out at a job for at least six months before you cave." According to whom? From what crediable source are you citing this from? If you don't have one then this "rule of thumb" doesn't amount to a hill of beans. Why six months? What objective evidence do you have that concludes this is the minimum amount of time you must spend at a job? "Also, here's a little secret you need to know about business and working in an office environment…NO ONE likes it. Sitting at a desk all day sucks for anyone. You're not special. The people that have been doing it for 30 years are miserable and can't wait to retire and get outside for a couple of hours other than to grab lunch." A Strawman, she never said she was special as for the rest of your diatribe. Some people do like working inn an office and for those who don't what's your point? "Essentially, sitting at any desk job is very similar to doing an 800 mile road trip everyday. You can't get up and move around unless you need to pee. You stop about half way through to get lunch and refuel. I guess a road trip is better because you can wear whatever you want…But you don't get paid for it and you'll end up actually living out of the car you don't have money to afford because you quit your first actual job after two weeks." Noy every desk job is the same, and how do you know she's living out of her car? I have quit jobs in less then 2 weeks and I never lived out of my car. "Why couldn't you hang in there for a while and save some money? That's what I did and now I'm back in school (still working) to become a firefighter. It's really challenging and at times it even sucks, but I can respect myself for hanging in there and it will be something to point to as an intangible accomplishment when I am interviewing with fire departments. Plus I will have some money to live off of while I'm job hunting." There is nothing respectful about somebody who sticks it out at a job they hate when they other choices just to cling to some stupid ideal. As if they are doing their employer a favour. Nevermind the fact that your employer doesn't give a shit about you and would throw you out on your ass in a heartbeat if it saved him some money. I have more respect for people who when they are unhappy they actually do something about it. Rather then just go to work everyday bitch about how much they hate it and never do anything about it. Those are the real cowards. "I suppose for females the money thing is quite different though, because most people still view them as the weaker sex…I'm not saying I do, but that seems to be what makes it ok for a female to not work and live off of her parents or a significant other because she is, as you said, "respecting her well-being." If a male does that, the significant other or parents who are supporting him are seen as facilitators of a lazy person and people call him a loser. Anyway, I'd love to hear where you're at now." LOL You don't see women as the weaker sex lol BULLSHIT. This paragraph reaks of sexism. "oh I don't think that way but everyone else does" You're not fooling anybody pal. "Good luck justifying that to potential future employers without looking like a quitter"

You don't have to justify anything. Future employers don't need to know about every single job you had, just the ones you choose to put on your resume. A job you had for only 2 weeks not even worth putting on your resume.

"A good rule of thumb is to hack it out at a job for at least six months before you cave."

According to whom? From what crediable source are you citing this from? If you don't have one then this "rule of thumb" doesn't amount to a hill of beans. Why six months? What objective evidence do you have that concludes this is the minimum amount of time you must spend at a job?

"Also, here's a little secret you need to know about business and working in an office environment…NO ONE likes it. Sitting at a desk all day sucks for anyone. You're not special. The people that have been doing it for 30 years are miserable and can't wait to retire and get outside for a couple of hours other than to grab lunch."

A Strawman, she never said she was special as for the rest of your diatribe. Some people do like working inn an office and for those who don't what's your point?

"Essentially, sitting at any desk job is very similar to doing an 800 mile road trip everyday. You can't get up and move around unless you need to pee. You stop about half way through to get lunch and refuel. I guess a road trip is better because you can wear whatever you want…But you don't get paid for it and you'll end up actually living out of the car you don't have money to afford because you quit your first actual job after two weeks."

Noy every desk job is the same, and how do you know she's living out of her car? I have quit jobs in less then 2 weeks and I never lived out of my car.

"Why couldn't you hang in there for a while and save some money? That's what I did and now I'm back in school (still working) to become a firefighter. It's really challenging and at times it even sucks, but I can respect myself for hanging in there and it will be something to point to as an intangible accomplishment when I am interviewing with fire departments. Plus I will have some money to live off of while I'm job hunting."

There is nothing respectful about somebody who sticks it out at a job they hate when they other choices just to cling to some stupid ideal. As if they are doing their employer a favour. Nevermind the fact that your employer doesn't give a shit about you and would throw you out on your ass in a heartbeat if it saved him some money. I have more respect for people who when they are unhappy they actually do something about it. Rather then just go to work everyday bitch about how much they hate it and never do anything about it. Those are the real cowards.

"I suppose for females the money thing is quite different though, because most people still view them as the weaker sex…I'm not saying I do, but that seems to be what makes it ok for a female to not work and live off of her parents or a significant other because she is, as you said, "respecting her well-being." If a male does that, the significant other or parents who are supporting him are seen as facilitators of a lazy person and people call him a loser.
Anyway, I'd love to hear where you're at now."

LOL You don't see women as the weaker sex lol BULLSHIT. This paragraph reaks of sexism. "oh I don't think that way but everyone else does" You're not fooling anybody pal.

]]> By: Jon http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/03/11/twentysomething-why-its-smart-to-quit-a-job-after-just-two-weeks-of-work/comment-page-5/#comment-221337 Jon Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:42:49 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=2258#comment-221337 Good luck justifying that to potential future employers without looking like a quitter. A good rule of thumb is to hack it out at a job for at least six months before you cave. Also, here's a little secret you need to know about business and working in an office environment...NO ONE likes it. Sitting at a desk all day sucks for anyone. You're not special. The people that have been doing it for 30 years are miserable and can't wait to retire and get outside for a couple of hours other than to grab lunch. Essentially, sitting at any desk job is very similar to doing an 800 mile road trip everyday. You can't get up and move around unless you need to pee. You stop about half way through to get lunch and refuel. I guess a road trip is better because you can wear whatever you want...But you don't get paid for it and you'll end up actually living out of the car you don't have money to afford because you quit your first actual job after two weeks. Why couldn't you hang in there for a while and save some money? That's what I did and now I'm back in school (still working) to become a firefighter. It's really challenging and at times it even sucks, but I can respect myself for hanging in there and it will be something to point to as an intangible accomplishment when I am interviewing with fire departments. Plus I will have some money to live off of while I'm job hunting. I suppose for females the money thing is quite different though, because most people still view them as the weaker sex...I'm not saying I do, but that seems to be what makes it ok for a female to not work and live off of her parents or a significant other because she is, as you said, "respecting her well-being." If a male does that, the significant other or parents who are supporting him are seen as facilitators of a lazy person and people call him a loser. Anyway, I'd love to hear where you're at now. Good luck justifying that to potential future employers without looking like a quitter.
A good rule of thumb is to hack it out at a job for at least six months before you cave.
Also, here's a little secret you need to know about business and working in an office environment…NO ONE likes it. Sitting at a desk all day sucks for anyone. You're not special. The people that have been doing it for 30 years are miserable and can't wait to retire and get outside for a couple of hours other than to grab lunch.
Essentially, sitting at any desk job is very similar to doing an 800 mile road trip everyday. You can't get up and move around unless you need to pee. You stop about half way through to get lunch and refuel. I guess a road trip is better because you can wear whatever you want…But you don't get paid for it and you'll end up actually living out of the car you don't have money to afford because you quit your first actual job after two weeks.
Why couldn't you hang in there for a while and save some money? That's what I did and now I'm back in school (still working) to become a firefighter. It's really challenging and at times it even sucks, but I can respect myself for hanging in there and it will be something to point to as an intangible accomplishment when I am interviewing with fire departments. Plus I will have some money to live off of while I'm job hunting.
I suppose for females the money thing is quite different though, because most people still view them as the weaker sex…I'm not saying I do, but that seems to be what makes it ok for a female to not work and live off of her parents or a significant other because she is, as you said, "respecting her well-being." If a male does that, the significant other or parents who are supporting him are seen as facilitators of a lazy person and people call him a loser.
Anyway, I'd love to hear where you're at now.

]]> By: FatBurningFurnace http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/03/11/twentysomething-why-its-smart-to-quit-a-job-after-just-two-weeks-of-work/comment-page-5/#comment-219190 FatBurningFurnace Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:30:12 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=2258#comment-219190 High performing employees in companies like GE, Proctor & Gamble and UBS all get to rotate through a wide range of jobs at the beginning of their career. High performing employees in companies like GE, Proctor & Gamble and UBS all get to rotate through a wide range of jobs at the beginning of their career.

]]> By: Mp3 Rocket Download http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/03/11/twentysomething-why-its-smart-to-quit-a-job-after-just-two-weeks-of-work/comment-page-5/#comment-219188 Mp3 Rocket Download Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:28:55 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=2258#comment-219188 I get it: You have this desire to prove to yourself that you are capable of sticking it out. I get it: You have this desire to prove to yourself that you are capable of sticking it out.

]]> By: The Phase before Burnout: Bargaining http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/03/11/twentysomething-why-its-smart-to-quit-a-job-after-just-two-weeks-of-work/comment-page-5/#comment-214392 The Phase before Burnout: Bargaining Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:02:04 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=2258#comment-214392 [...] For many Gen-Yers, this is the evaluation phase before jumping ship. [...] [...] For many Gen-Yers, this is the evaluation phase before jumping ship. [...]

]]> By: Andrew http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/03/11/twentysomething-why-its-smart-to-quit-a-job-after-just-two-weeks-of-work/comment-page-5/#comment-213793 Andrew Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:03:58 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=2258#comment-213793 I'm 25 years old. I recently left a job after a little over a year, because it became very stressful and they changed my primary job role to something I wasn't passionate about and no longer utilized my skills. After a couple months, I was offered a job with another employer and probably should have thought twice before taking it. After a couple months in the job, my performance wasn't very good, as I just wasn't interested or knew enough about the field to be motivated. I went to my supervisor and told her that my heart just wasn't in it. I said that I thought about sticking it out and looking for another job while at this one, but knew this job needed someone more dedicated than that. I said I felt it would be unfair to them and just wanted to be honest about where I was. My supervisor thanked me for my honesty, gave me a hug and said she hopes I find something I am passionate about, as I'm a very talented individual. She said I didn't have to come back in to the office, as I had no pending projects, and insisted on paying me for two more weeks. I was nervous to tell my mother what I had done, as I was afraid what her reaction might be. I considered just not telling her, but I did, and maybe I should have kept my mouth shut. She thought it was a stupid thing to do, that I was "flitting from job to job," that it must be nice to just say "Oh, I don't like this job, I guess I'll just quit." Completely unsupportive and making me feel even more like crap when I'm already doubting myself and depressed enough. Thank you for writing what you did. It made me feel better. I'm 25 years old. I recently left a job after a little over a year, because it became very stressful and they changed my primary job role to something I wasn't passionate about and no longer utilized my skills. After a couple months, I was offered a job with another employer and probably should have thought twice before taking it. After a couple months in the job, my performance wasn't very good, as I just wasn't interested or knew enough about the field to be motivated. I went to my supervisor and told her that my heart just wasn't in it. I said that I thought about sticking it out and looking for another job while at this one, but knew this job needed someone more dedicated than that. I said I felt it would be unfair to them and just wanted to be honest about where I was. My supervisor thanked me for my honesty, gave me a hug and said she hopes I find something I am passionate about, as I'm a very talented individual. She said I didn't have to come back in to the office, as I had no pending projects, and insisted on paying me for two more weeks. I was nervous to tell my mother what I had done, as I was afraid what her reaction might be. I considered just not telling her, but I did, and maybe I should have kept my mouth shut. She thought it was a stupid thing to do, that I was "flitting from job to job," that it must be nice to just say "Oh, I don't like this job, I guess I'll just quit." Completely unsupportive and making me feel even more like crap when I'm already doubting myself and depressed enough. Thank you for writing what you did. It made me feel better.

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