Job Dilemma - Please help

[AdventurerKat]

As some of you know, I moved to Sarasota in March. I got a job almost right away, started it the first week of April. Things started going badly from almost the get go. Just little things at first. But then the other paralegal found out she had cancer in June and went in for surgery. She was going to be out for two weeks, then three, and then they decided to fire her. On top of being a truly cruel IMHO, they never hired a replacement for her either and the stress has been nonstop ever since. I am doing the work that two people did in 48 hours (we were both part-time) myself, in 30. Or trying to anyway. They keep telling me they will hire someone and here it is 2.5 months later and they haven't. I have called in once since I have been here because my 2 y.o. was sick and I got hell for it. I was sick a couple weeks ago but dragged myself in here everyday because I knew it would be a disaster if I didn't. Unfortunately for me, I am sick again (my son just started school so I think he is tracking in the germs) and I was already told "You had better get better quick!" in a not so nice way, i.e. "you better not call in sick". I made a point of telling them I came in every day while I was ill last time. On top of their poor personal skills, they also appear to be in deep debt, as we have bill collectors calling all the time. There is more but this is the basics, as you can tell, its just a fun place to be - ha!

Now to my point. I don't know what I should do. Of course, I want to quit. But how will it look to prospective employers that I have worked here a whopping 5 months. I have thought about not listing them but then what do I tell people I have been doing for the six months I have been here.

I know their are bigger issues in the world right now, and people have it much harder than I, but I just don't know the best way to handle this.

 

[jfulcer]

I wouldn't stay, I'd look for other gainful employment. I would tell them exactly what you just told us - the firm is in financial trouble, they overwork you (and give the reason), and their family policies are truly horrible. Most employers pride themselves on being flexible when it comes to family issues, I'm sure most other places that you interview with will understand all of this.

 

[harleyquinn]

I wouldn't stay, I'd look for other gainful employment. I would tell them exactly what you just told us - the firm is in financial trouble, they overwork you (and give the reason), and their family policies are truly horrible. Most employers pride themselves on being flexible when it comes to family issues, I'm sure most other places that you interview with will understand all of this.

Ditto!

Look elsewhere before you quit!

 

[jfulcer]

Ditto!

Look elsewhere before you quit!

Ditto!

 

[Rajah]

I agree, I wouldn't stay either.

 

[AdventurerKat]

But should I list them on my resume or what should I tell potential employers I have been doing for six months?

 

[Cindy B]

Personally, I wouldn't even bother listing them on resume. You have a small child, and you just moved in recently. You can always use the "just settling in" excuse.

 

[Honu]

List it. All experience counts. I would go register with some of the legal employment placement agencies in your area. I think there is a Special Counsel office in Tampa. The agency can handle any questions the firm may have upfront. Good luck.

 

[jfulcer]

But should I list them on my resume or what should I tell potential employers I have been doing for six months?

Yes, you should list it. It shows you were employed, working and attempting to make the situation work but just couldn't.

One of the first questions they are going to ask you when you interview is going to be "Why are you leaving your current job?". You should give them the courtesy of an honest answer and not try to gloss over what you have done the past 6 months. It DOES show a little moxy to have stayed there in that situation that long.

Besides if you lie to them and don't tell them about it and say you were just 'doing whatever' - it'd be an easy route for them to terminate you for it if you were hired.

 

[Kermit]

I wouldn't worry about it. Working at one place for only 5 months isn't necessarily a negative. As others have mentioned, just tell people why you're leaving. I would try working out an answer before you go into interviews, though. You don't want to give an answer that makes it sound like you don't have a good reason to leave, but you especially don't want to sound bitter.

 

[PlutoNY]

Just adding my two cents... I would list it. I'm the manager of a law firm and I can tell you that I hear things like this all the time and I respect people that I have tried to stick it out. Just try and have a put togther answer, not the standard "It just didn't work out." Be honest. Let them know that you are willing to take on responsibility and do your share but at the same time, you want to not be taken advantage of. Also, job security in this day and age is very, very important and that shows to me that some one is looking for a permanent job.

It is a small world, so when I see certain law firms listed on a resume, I already know what they have been through. I figure if some paralegals or attys can last even six months in a particular firm then will certainly last with us. Good luck!!!

 

[sweet angel]

I had a similar situation at my job (also legal) several months ago. My co-worker was out "sick" for almost 7 weeks, during which time I did both jobs. Once she came back, she was basically given an ultimatum and chose not to take it, so she was let go.

If I didn't like my boss so much, and if he hadn't done everything he could to make it bearable, and if he hadn't tossed me some extra cash, I would've been out of there. The thought crossed my mind even WITH all of the aforementioned things -- so I can't imagine staying if it wasn't appreciated.

Not sure if I would put it on my resume though. I've left one short-term job off my resume and it was a situation that would've been totally understandable -- the man was a bear to work for -- one associate had a breakdown and another threw himself through a plate glass window.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Not sure if I would put it on my resume though. I've left one short-term job off my resume and it was a situation that would've been totally understandable -- the man was a bear to work for -- one associate had a breakdown and another threw himself through a plate glass window.

Never heard of someone that bad!!!

 

[sweet angel]

Never heard of someone that bad!!!

I didn't believe the rumors myself until I actually worked there. I thought "how bad could he really be?"

 

[OceanAnnie]

I didn't believe the rumors myself until I actually worked there. I thought "how bad could he really be?"

Ok. I have to ask. What made a person have a breakdown & a man throw himself through a plate glass window? (Sorry OT.)

AdventurerKat, I'd be looking for another job so fast and furious it would be my part-time job! The job you have sounds like punishment. I think just taking action towards finding something else will put a pep in your step.

Life is too short to be miserable.

I'd probably put the job experience down. Answer any questions about it honestly & succinctly, with a positive spin on the future.

Good luck. I hope you find something else soon!

 

[Poohnatic]

List it. I do a lot of hiring, and it looks better to me that you list a job and explain the situation in the interview. If there's a space on the application for reason for leaving, you can either leave it blank or write "will explain".

The legal field is a small one-as has been said. In my experience in engaging lawyers, they ALL know about each other. Every lawyer I hired in Maryland became a state's attorney, so I had to get a different lawyer for each issue I had.

The Tampa area is chock a block with law firms, I'm sure someone would be happy to take you on staff!

Suzanne

 

[sweet angel]

Ok. I have to ask. What made a person have a breakdown & a man throw himself through a plate glass window? (Sorry OT.)

In the interest of staying on topic, check your PMs!

 

[HoneyPooh]

I've listed a bad (and relatively short term) job on my resume before. I make sure that when asked I stress that I gave it my best shot to make it work but it became more than I could comfortably fix and that I felt it was time to move on to somewhere that my skills would be utilized properly. They usually respect that you gave it your best shot. Just try to make your comments not "catty" sounding. Good luck with the job hunt and hope you feel better soon!

 

[AdventurerKat]

Thanks everyone. I will list it. I just worry that in this small town (compared to Seattle), in the legal field, everyone knows one another.

I actually like my main boss, the owner, its the office manager that is the problem (his wife). But I know the decision to let the other paralegal go was a joint one and while I don't know all the specifics behind it I still think it was terrible timing on their part and it doesn't explain the reasons they have not hired someone for two and a half months. I have not been given any sort of "comp pay" for what I am doing, the stress I am under, or anything like that. The only thing I have gotten is pressure for not being sick or calling in when my little one is sick because there will be hell to pay. I called in ONCE! So I come in every day, dreading being here, and I have started having back problems from the stress. I know I can't take much more of it so I will look and just hope I can find another PT job. I may just submit for FT ones and maybe someone will be willing to be flexible on it, you never know.

 

[jfulcer]

Thanks everyone. I will list it. I just worry that in this small town (compared to Seattle), in the legal field, everyone knows one another.

That's why you don't disparage the people you were working with - just the job itself. If you boss was an overbearing loser, you just say you didn't work well with them. The interviewer may know your soon to be ex-boss and may or may not have the same opinion as you. You have to de-personalize the troubles you are having. If you don't it may bite you in the butt sometime.