Job Stress

what aspect of the job is causing you stress?
maybe its fixable...

"Severe personality conflict" is a good phrase.

Heeven- NO job is worth a breakdown. I agree with Noddy. Personality conflict is a good reason to leave.

I know just where you are coming from, Heeven. Add in the anticipated pay cut, upon changing, and the stress of standing in the unemployment line all day, just to discover that when you quit, you get nothing.

I think there was a thread about this a while back... was it yours, roger?

My overriding advice is don't say anything about it if you can help it. If you have to say anything, make it positive if you possibly can. No matter how justified, future employer doesn't want to know that you have had "severe personality conflicts" with past employer/ co-workers. They have no way of knowing whether you or personality you were in conflict with was the catalyst, and they don't want drama. They want people who got along well with employer/ co-workers, even if in fact said employer/ co-workers were absolute flaming idiots.

Anyway, just keep it positive. Make it as much about the job you're applying for as you can, rather than how awful the previous job was. The very best employer has employees who hate him or her, and even if you're completely justified, the potential employer will see red flags all over the place.

Sozobe is right, focus on what the prospective job has to offer. But carefully analyze what it is about this current job that you hate. There are plenty of good reasons to leave a job that can be explained in objective rational terms. Your six month stay shows that you have given it a fair shot, but realize that staying any longer would benefit neither you nor your current employer.

That was mine, sozobe. Still working up my nerve, but I've come up with a solid, look good reason. The boss hired his wife, and part of what she's doing is what I used to do. It would now be reasonable to say that further advancement is unlikely. Actually, I've felt that way for over half a year, but now it sounds better.

That's a good reason! As long as there are advancement opportunities in the job you're applying for -- it's possible that they would prefer someone who just does the job and doesn't expect anything further.

Still, that's a good one, positive and proactive.

The problem is not a personality conflict. I actually really like the people and I quite enjoy the work itself, it is the sheer volume and the frustration of not being able to get additional staffing despite being quite vocal about not being able to handle the huge volume. I just cannot keep my head above water and the pressure of additional projects coming down the pike is making my head explode. I cannot see the forest for all the trees if you know what I mean. I get into work and look at my desk and want to cry with sheer frustration. I have tried time management, and asking for help, and prioritizing, but it is the last straw when they call me on vacation and whine to me about a project that has to be done before a client meeting and they want me to get in early or better yet, come in the night before and do it then! My boss is just as stressed and frustrated but I know I cannot allow myself to turn into him. If I am tearing my hair out after only 6 months here, then I am afraid that after a year I will be found standing on a rooftop with an AK47.

Heeven, I really don't think your short stint at this company will matter to perspective employers. Well, to a few it will, but in my experience, it has never hurt me, and I used to change jobs as often as I changed my shoes. Trust me, it won't matter to them, as long as you have the qualifications.

I know other people who, like me, have switched jobs multiple times, and most of them have ended up further ahead in the game (higher pay, more fulfilling work, etc.). That didn't happen to me, but then again, I'm not one of those highly motivated go-getter types. But I have NEVER had a problem finding work because of a short stint somewhere.

That whole thing about staying at a job you hate just so you can have a good-looking resume is a myth. Nobody cares, as long as you can do the job!!!

Here's the reason you should use: "I am leaving my job because I am seeking a better opportunity." Period, end of story.

If the prospective employer presses (and they often don't), tell them you are looking for a differently-paced place to work. Both of these are the truth and they both make you look good.

kicky's right. It used to be more of a handicap if you were a job-hopper than it is now. Lots of people job-hopped during the dot-com boom; this is nothing new from an employer's perspective. If you can do the job, that's what they care about.

Thanks Jes, I think that sounds good.

Play with the Gymnastic Teddy Bears. They'll help you relax.

I agree with better opportunity. IF you say anything.

I think that the turnover thing means different things in different fields, though. Highly specialized/ skilled fields like graphic design and IT have more tolerance for it than most. For a lot of fields, your dependability is a big part of your marketability.

I did job placement for a lot of jobs but especially office environments (administrative assistant, data entry, etc.) and there the applicant's job history (job-hopping, signs of discord) were very important indeed.