Is It OK To Quit a Job After One Day?

Confession time. In my own long and varied career,  I did indeed see the need to quit a job after just one day. And in one other situation I knew it was time to leave after 3 days. (That one was a temp job, but even so I had to get myself out of there.)

Let me be clear. In most cases I think it’s important to give a new job a chance, even if it feels like less than you expected. But there are times when the alarm bells go off big time as soon as you begin. And those alarms are worth at least listening to.

So what were my alarm bells?

Everyone is different and has different alarm triggers. So what I knew wouldn’t work for me, might be fine and dandy for someone else. At least in some cases.

Job #1 – Film Editing

Looking to change careers, I thought an entry-level film editing job would give me a chance to learn and grow in the field of film. It sounded so good in the interview. But looking back, I hadn’t done enough research or asked enough questions. I was just excited to get an offer!

On day one of the job, my new boss led me into a tiny windowless room and drily explained my duties  in more detail, showing me where I’d be working. All alone. With no other employees and no chance to interact with others in the field, except for my boss when needed. I was gripped by a feeling of dread at what I had said “yes” to.

Granted, I was young and obviously naive. But I knew 100% that this was not a job for me. And not just because I’m somewhat claustrophobic. Every instinct told me this was bad. I also didn’t trust that my new boss was going to make the job into anything more than what it seemed.

So yes … I quit that job after one day. But that didn’t mean that I gave up. I actually wound up working on a few low-budget films in various roles (lots of stories there) and never regretted leaving that job on day one!

Job #2 – The Temp Job

I’ll keep this story short. I was in a new city and doing temp work until I found a “real” job. Although temp work can also be a great way to earn money and even sometimes get you offered a full-time position. In fact, I turned one temp job into higher paying consulting work.

But this one particular temp position felt bad the very first day. I stayed a few more days because the agency wanted me to, but had to ask for a new assignment. My boss was making uncomfortable remarks that may not quite reach the level of sexual harassment for everyone, but sure felt like it to me.

Luckily my agency understood. But even if they hadn’t, I just couldn’t put myself through that. And the next temp job turned out to be the one I “morphed” into interesting consulting work.

Reasons to quit a job after one day

As I mentioned, first — if at all possible — it’s worth giving a new job a chance. Try to see where you can make it work for you, even if it’s not the job you expected it to be. And meanwhile make connections / build relationships while learning as much as you can even if you do wind up leaving.

But there are also good reasons to quit a job after one day — or after a few days. Here are some possible situations that might trigger your internal alarm (many of these are also good reasons to leave at any time):

• You’re asked to do something illegal or dangerous.
• Boss touching you inappropriately or using uncomfortable sexual innuendoes.
• Racist, sexist, or other type of language / behavior that is the norm there but very upsetting to you.
• You realize that the work isn’t anything you can do and / or no training to help.
• No breaks or severely limited bathroom time.
• Serious environmental issues (such as no heat or a/c if your health requires it) or actual physical danger from the physical environment.
• A bully boss to the extent you feel afraid to speak up or make even a small mistake. (This is an eye of the beholder thing, but jobs shouldn’t involve emotional terror.)
• Boss promotes one political party’s point of view that feels extremely uncomfortable for you — and may make you an outsider if you ever voice your opinion.
• The job / salary / conditions are nothing like you were told. A little off is not uncommon. And of course, you can decide if this works for you anyway. But if you’ve been lied to this much to start with, more lies may follow.

Will a one-day job hurt your resume?

Look. If you quit a job after one day there’s no reason to put it on your resume. Especially if you never got paid. It might even be worth letting that small amount of pay go if you worked a few days not to have to deal with explaining straggler jobs when they do a background check for your new job.

But if you do decide to accept those few dollars (on the books), there are ways to make it work on a resume or in interviews. First take care of yourself. The rest can be handled. Even if you have to tell the truth. The right job will understand.

As for temp work or a series of short-term jobs, they can always be grouped under “FREELANCE WORK” on a resume when listing experience — and you simply don’t include a one-day job. Or, you can leave a one-day job off a resume, but make sure to list it on your job application if you were paid on the books.

⇒  EXTRA:  How Is a Job Application Different from a Resume?

 

More posts to help

Job Morphing: 20 Ways You Can Improve Your Job

What To Do If Your Job Makes You Miserable

15 Tips for Starting an Entry Level Job

 

Took the Wrong Job? What You Can Do

Boss Won’t Let Me Transfer To a Different Department

Job Interviews: How Do I Interview After Being Fired?