Should I accept a job that I will quit in the near future?

Question

Similar to this, albeit slightly different.

Long story short, I recently got a job and am supposed to start in the coming two days. However, I'm not really happy about the role and am still talking with others. Therefore, I'd most likely jump ship the first opportunity that I get, be it one week, one month, or one years. Also worth mentioning is that I have plenty of savings(1+ year) and have been unemployed for 4 months. I also have a side-business that brings in a negligable amount of money, so I can always point to that as being "what I was doing while I was unemployed."

Question: Should I accept a job that you know you will quit in the near future?

The one caveat is that I have a felony on my record. With current EEOC guideline and state regulations, I don't expect it to be a huge hindrance, but I have to be conscious of this also.

Answer 1

It sounds like you already accepted the position.

If you're certain it's what you want to do, resigning before you start the job is probably your best action. Alternatively, you could try to delay your start date until you hear from the other positions.

But will quitting shortly after you start this job make you look bad? Possibly. You might run the risk of burning bridges with this employer and damaging your professional reputation. It's also worth noting that it's usually easier to get a job if you already have one.

You say you aren't happy about the role, but most people find it difficult to make those judgments until they're actually doing the job. It might turn out to be a great position.

With all that said, there are legitimate reasons to quit before or soon after you begin work (health, personal safety, building your own business, etc). If you are truly in that position, and it sounds like you at least have a side business to rely on, resign as professionally as possible.

Answer 2

Question: Should I accept a job that you know you will quit in the near future?

I wouldn't.

For me, my word is my bond. When I accept a job, I accept it for the long-term with the expectation that I will be around until circumstances change dramatically. I would never accept a job that I knew wasn't going to last for a reasonable period of time.

Clearly you know that the employer wouldn't hire you if you made your intentions known, so this simply comes down to what kind of person do you want to be. I know what I would do, but your mileage may vary.

You are still talking with other potential employers, you indicate that you don't need the money, so I don't really understand why you are even entertaining the thought of accepting this job and then quitting it soon.

I never advise people to lie to employers or potential employers. To me, you are essentially lying to this employer. And unless you are willing to come clean to your next employer about why you are leaving so soon, you'll essentially be lying to the next employer as well. That's not a great trait to have in your work history, and never something I'd advise someone to do.