Leaving Job too early to relocate? Advice needed!!

Question

So my girlfriend of a year left for graduate school halfway across the country. She is guaranteed to be there for the next 4 years of her life. We are both in our mid twenties and consider this a serious relationship. We’ve had ‘the talk’ and feel good about me moving out there at some point.

However, I started a new job about 5 months ago. I know people say “wait for a year before you leave your job.” (This is a serious corporate job. I’m not scooping ice cream) We are getting to a point where we no longer want to wait. What is the earliest I should leave my job and move? Any recommendations? Waiting a year would bring us to next March… and we really don’t want to wait that long. If I wait until around the holidays or right after that would be around 9 months at my current position. Should I tell future employers why i left early? Any good/professional advice welcome!

Answer 1

It is hard to judge if a company may take you leaving the wrong way. One thing that would be good to know is “if” they take your decision to leave personally, are you heavily dependent on their referral to find a new job in your new location? If so, and your career is important to you, it may be worth waiting the few months. After all, what’s a few months to the rest of your lives….that is, if you are that serious.

If you decide to go, I would recommend giving plenty of notice. Personally deliver your letter of resignation. Be sure to explain that the decision to relocate is recent and you regret the missed opportunity. Offer yourself and assistance in finding your replacement and providing training (most places eat that up).