Too soon for a Job Change?

mramseyISU · 05-12-2008, 03:34 PM

I just started a new job in December. Not a bad job but I've got a 66 mile round trip everyday. When I was in the middle of my job hunt I had one offer ten miles away for $5000 a year less but now with gas prices I'm eating that up in fuel costs after Uncle Sam gets his share. What I'm asking is 6 months too soon to start looking for a job when I have one that I don't mind other than the cost of getting there?

keepngoal · 05-12-2008, 03:50 PM

could you ask your current employer for more $$, car stipend or reimburse for mileage?

-keep.

ISU BET · 05-12-2008, 03:50 PM

car pool out of the question?

Cyclonepride · 05-12-2008, 03:52 PM

If you can get a job that fits the bill, then I would say no, it isn't too soon. If you make a habit of that, it'll look bad on your resume. While interviewing, you may want to have other reasons for the change, as a potential employer is probably going to wonder why you didn't take fuel cost into account in the last career decision you made.

mramseyISU · 05-12-2008, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclonepride

If you can get a job that fits the bill, then I would say no, it isn't too soon. If you make a habit of that, it'll look bad on your resume. While interviewing, you may want to have other reasons for the change, as a potential employer is probably going to wonder why you didn't take fuel cost into account in the last career decision you made.

That's my biggest concern that I'll look like a flake down the road. I don't hate my job now but I also don't love it either, I do like the people I work with. My background is a design engineer but I'm working as a manufacturing engineer and outside a couple fixtures I designed I havn't done a bit of what I would call engineering work.

Cloner97 · 05-12-2008, 03:58 PM

6 months seems a little too short even these days. But, if the jobs are equal in responsibilities, opportunities, etc...then it makes some sense to make a move if it's possible. I worked no more than 6 miles from my house but took a job about 20 miles away because I couldn't stand my old job. Much happier now, even if I am spending a bit more on gas.

cycloneworld · 05-12-2008, 04:01 PM

It's not too soon to make a move but like keep said, ask for a stipend or additional money from your current employer.

That is if you are enjoying the job and want to stay. If you aren't happy, I would definitely be looking for a new job. No use doing something that makes you unhappy.

isuno1fan · 05-12-2008, 04:01 PM

Not a biggie if it's the first you've done it. I would:

1.) Approach my current employer and discuss the situation.

2.) If you are unable to get some assistance from your current employer after discussing the issues at hand then you do what you have to do.

snowcraig2.0 · 05-12-2008, 04:03 PM

It is never too soon if there is a better opportunity / situation out there for you.

cys_av8r · 05-12-2008, 04:05 PM

I left 1 job in my career after only 4 months, all the others I was at for at least 2 years.

Don't leave a job for gas prices, leave the job because the place you are going is a much better opportunity. The grass is not always greener and it would suck if you left and found out the new place was horrible.

Cybone · 05-12-2008, 04:28 PM

If you have heard this before, i am sorry. There are three reasons to leave or take a job..

1) You love what you do
2) You love who you work for or work with
3) You make enough money that that other two don't matter.

If can't agree on any of those..then you have other questions you need to be asking yourself. (I wish I could answer "yes" to #3..daily)

travman23 · 05-12-2008, 04:58 PM

I take it that moving closer to your job is not an option?

CTTB78 · 05-12-2008, 05:01 PM

In today's business world you begin preparing for your new job the day you start your current one. Loyalty? Like most companies say at layoff time- it's just a business decision.

mramseyISU · 05-12-2008, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by Cybone

If you have heard this before, i am sorry. There are three reasons to leave or take a job..

1) You love what you do
2) You love who you work for or work with
3) You make enough money that that other two don't matter.

If can't agree on any of those..then you have other questions you need to be asking yourself. (I wish I could answer "yes" to #3..daily)

1) I don't hate what I'm doing but on the other hand I don't really love it either. It's definatly not what I expected out of the deal.

2) I like most of the people I work with, there are a couple I could do without but what job isn't like that.

3) I make what I consider good money, on par with what my wife makes at Deere doing basicly the same job.

Cyclonepride · 05-12-2008, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by keepngoal

could you ask your current employer for more $$, car stipend or reimburse for mileage?

-keep.

If I were your current employer, a request for a boost in income or benefits might be a little bit of a red flag after so little time. If you are going to do that, I would work my butt off for the next couple of months and try it then.