<p>A co-worker was recently fired. We’ve been having to borrow employees from another department to fill in the spots the rest of us couldn’t.</p>
<p>A campus job just opened up and it’s perfect for me. It’s a very specific position for for marketing/advertising (which is what I am studying) and campus jobs are very flexible (my current job is NOT flexible at all) so I’m very interested. Since these are very specific positions and not just help desk jobs or assistants, they don’t open very often (usually only when a student graduates). </p>
<p>The hiring process at my work is long. It’s about 3-4 interviews and a drug testing. We’re also currently going through management change so their top priority right now is to hire a new manager, not a new entry-level worker. I was a replacement of another employee, and my co-workers told me it took them 4-5 months to hire me, the replacement.</p>
<p>My question is: Would it be a jerk move to apply to another job even though I know we’re understaffed? I would quit my current job for the new one if we weren’t understaffed. Given that I get the position, would it be bad to try to juggle both jobs, since one is very flexible and one isn’t, until we get a new hire?</p>
<p>*Edit: I forgot to mention that the new hire for the campus job will begin January after NYE. But I can choose to start when the semester starts (Jan. 16). I would assume we won’t get a new hire until somewhere around March or April at this pace.</p>
<p>No - you wouldn’t be a jerk for leaving. This is just business. Some people often confuse a business environment for an emotional one which can cause confusion about ‘loyalties’, etc., especially if they’re fairly new to the workforce, but it’s normal and expected that people will pursue positions that are in their best interest whether that’s inside or outside the company. The company isn’t your ‘best friend’ - it’s just a business.</p>
<p>If your current workplace is understaffed that’s not your problem - it’s theirs for not staffing appropriately. If it took them 4 months to hire you then that’s also their problem for not focusing on getting a new hire onboard - especially if this isn’t a highly specialized position requiring a highly unique background and is one that few people would qualify for (which I’m guessing it isn’t since you’re a current college student). It sounds like their issues are due to poor management in this area or budget issues. Regardless, that’s not ‘your’ problem. </p>
<p>Don’t forget that the company doesn’t have loyalty to you - if they run into budget issues they either would need to address costs possibly by laying off employees or go out of business (assuming it’s a real business).</p>
<p>If you see a better opportunity for you then you should pursue it. Just make sure you have the new (written) job offer in-hand before you give notice where you are now.</p>
<p>I agree, you don’t owe your current employer that kind of loyalty, it is a business and they would lay you off quicker then you could say “bye” if they needed to cut costs (I once saw an interview with this executive of a company, guy was in his 60’s I guess, who was lamenting how employees no longer were loyal, that they would leave if something better came up, etc, and the interviewer instead of doing what those bubble brains usually do, nod as if this is wisdom, asked him “but how about loyalty to the employees? Have you ever laid off employees to bolster the bottom line? Have you ever cut salaries and such?” and the guy was like “that’s different” <em>sigh</em>). </p>
<p>Anyway, if you feel this new job is better for you, go for it, and don’t look back. If you feel like this company has treated you well then you could do something like make arrangements to start your new job later and give your current employer more notice, to make the transition easier, but as far as leaving, don’t feel badly about that, it is perfectly okay. </p>
<p>One thought, if you have been at this current job a relatively short time, down the road when/if you move on from the job you are thinking of, you may be asked why it lasted a short time (again, that is an if, like you worked at your current place 6 months then left), and if that ever comes up, just tell them this job you are thinking of was a dream job that opened up and was too good an opportunity to miss.</p>
No, it would not be grounds for a bad reference. I am assuming that you are not violating the terms of any employment contract, but they cannot bad mouth you just because you are leaving when they don’t want you to. And if they do, and it causes you to be passed over for the new job, you can sue them.</p>
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I would not talk to them. At this time, there is no need for it - all you are doing is applying, there is no guarantee you get the dream job! Apply, interview, if they ask if they can contact your current employer tell them that you would prefer that they didn’t but they can if they need to. This sort of thing is always a bit tricky, but you will get through it.</p>
<p>If they want to interview you by phone, go outside and talk on your cell. If they want to meet you in person, you have a doctor’s appointment. It happens all the time.</p>
<p>As others have said, reach go for it. I have seen a huge change in how employers treat employees since I have started working. Do not worry about your employer if a better option arises. Most employers will lay you off ina heartbeat.</p>
<p>Don’t worry about a bad reference. Unless your employer is completely uninformed, it will follow the practice of only confirming your dates of employment and that you left of your own volition. The risks of being sued are too great for an employer to risk saying anything disparaging about a former employee, so the normal instruction from the lawyers to HR and from HR to the managers is to say nothing at all. (And yes, from the point of view of someone doing the hiring, this practice stinks!)</p>
<p>No, you don’t owe your current employer anything except a good day’s work for your pay. However, it’s a good idea to handle leaving the job with as much tact and consideration as possible. You obviously have a conscience, and this will make you feel better, plus it’s never a good idea to leave a bad taste in the mouth of a former employer. </p>
<p>Once you have a written offer for the new job, ask for a private meeting with your supervisor, and explain that you will be leaving soon. Give as much notice as possible (and ask the new employer for a little time to wrap things up at the old job; they’ll respect you for not being the type who just walks off a job with no notice). Ask which projects/tasks they want you to concentrate on in your remaining time. Offer to cross-train, and/or write up some procedures for what you do. And graciously thank them for the opportunity they’ve given you to work there.</p>