Resume: Is little time on a job a red flag?

Question

Hey guys,

I have a question to ask you. When adcoms are looking at your resume and see that you stayed on a position for a short period of time (let´s say less than 9 months), is that a red flag? I guess that it will depend on some factors such as:
- whether you have a record of short periods in all of your positions (that may mean that you don´t have commitment or that you don´t really know what you want). 
- what that change meant (a promotion, a change of career, a change of industry)

But all in all, what is the common perception about this?
If I leave a job in which I stayed for little time when the application dates are approaching, is that necessarily a bad move? Or the answer is a big "it depends"?

Thanks!

subhashghosh · Answer

In my opinion, one short stint shouldn't be a very big deal in case there are not too many of those peppered in the resume. However, you should have a plausible explanation ready for the same.

wizzard · Answer

Thanks subhashghosh,

I guess this might be a grey area in which there are no definite answers...

But just wanted to check out which were the most common "do´s" and "don´ts" of this situation.

domotron · Answer

As mentioned above, as long as you don't have a habit it should be fine. Adcoms know people move around, especially for promotions or role changes. I don't think it's really that unusual at all and I don't think you need to draw attention to it either unless it's a special circumstance like you took on a worse role or you got fired after 9 months.

Admissionado · Answer

It also depends on the reasons you have for your your short stay (although you don't necessarily have to explain this away), but like subhash wrote, one short stint 'ain't no thang'.

Resume: Is little time on a job a red flag?

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