Dear Experts, My name is Jeff and I recently just started a sales job with a good company based in Dallas. The people there are great and the company is really loyal with its employees. The problem is, I am a marketing/creative/writing guy and don't really enjoy inside sales at all. I feel drained after every day and off of my career path. I basically interviewed for this job, knowing I already did not like sales from previous job experience, but to just get a job so I could have money and to see if I could get the job for the heck of it. Well, I got it and have been working there for a month and a half. The other people there are great, and they mostly seem to like sales and enjoy it. I feel like I am just faking it just for the paycheck and am more of an extroverted introvert who likes marketing, writing, creating, and strategizing. I have an interview this Saturday with someone who I have good relations with for the past couple years who owns their own rapidly growing marketing firm. My question is, if I do get a job at this marketing company, is it rude for me to quit my other job so soon. They have an employee at will rule where you can just quit without two week notice, but how would you recommend handling this situation so as to not leave ill will between my current boss, (who happens to be in the same workout class as my mother) and myself. I wouldn't mind coming back to my current company in a different role in the future. This is getting kinda long so I apologize, but basically does it look bad to quit a job so soon if you get hired for something you really would like to do after only a month and a half? Here is how our CAREEREALISM-Approved Experts answered this question on Twitter: Q#402 It's not rude to leave, just explain the situation and don't burn your bridged. And give two weeks notice... (@gradversity) Q#402 We all make career choices that don't work. Better to leave now before they invest too much in you. (@jtodonnell) Q#402 If you have another job opportunity, explain situation to current employers & be accommodating to them. (@keppie_careers) Q#402 Lesson learned: don't take job for "heck of it" if you know it's not for you. (@keppie_careers) Q#402 Leaving co after brief tenure certainly isn't right for them. They now have to rehire; retrain. (@teenarose) Q#402 They likely won't b happy, but u can't control that. Figuring it out early may help u save face. Go w/ your gut. (@lauralabovich) Q#402 Need to be true to yourself. If you decide to leave give notice & explain your heart is in something else. Be professional about it. (@DebraWheatman) Q#402 Yes, it looks bad. But it's better than faking/hating what you do. Tell them the truth (not a good fit). (@beneubanks) Q#402 Give 2 weeks notice, explain u love co yet now see sales not right 4 u, better 2 leave b4 disappoint boss. (@juliaerickson) Q#402 Better leave than stay uninspired/underperforming. Say you realize is not the job 4 you. Just don't make it a habit. (@CareerBranches) Q#402 While I strongly recommend you give 2 weeks notice, don't feel guilty about leaving a job. It's your career! (@heatherhuhman) Our Twitter Advice Project (T.A.P.) is no longer an active campaign. To find an answer to the above question, please use the "Search" box in the right-hand column of this website.
December 22, 2009