Tiffany writes:
I am currently seeking a customer-service position, preferably in the medical field, which will allow me to begin university classes this upcoming fall semester. I had been working as a customer service rep at an AT&T Wireless Call Center. The job became too redundant, so I quit and took a job at another wireless call center. I am afraid that after I get out of training, I will be given a mid-day work schedule that will not allow me to take classes in the morning or in the evening. Therefore, I am still seeking another position. If interviewed for a new position, I know they will want to know why I quit one wireless company, began another, and am still searching for a new job. What should my response be?
The Career Doctor responds:
First and foremost, let me applaud your efforts to start your college education. All studies show that lifetime satisfaction and income levels are higher with folks who complete a college education than for high school graduates, so I think it’s great you are thinking ahead and trying to find employment with flexible working conditions that will allow you to take some classes.
I think you are getting a little ahead of yourself. Why not wait and see what your schedule will be once training is complete? Unless, you know for sure that you will be given a mid-day schedule; if you’ve already been told your future schedule, then you have two options.
First, if you like the current company — and given that they have already invested money into training you — I suggest talking to your boss and asking about schedule flexibility. Explain that you value the job and the company and want to help to stay and contribute to the company’s success, but at the same time, you also need to think about your future. More and more companies, especially in tight job markets, are willing to be flexible — up to a point — to keep good workers.
Second, start looking for new employment. I don’t think your short stints will affect your attractiveness as a job-seeker. Plus, I would not even include this second job on your resume since you are still in training anyway. Remember, a resume is not a complete job history — just a relevant job history. And in your case, having a short gap from Cingular job to now would look better than listing a one-month position with the new company. Your situation is also a time where using your network to find employers with more flexible scheduling would be especially helpful.
