CTO quit a week after I joined and I don't like working there anymore

Question

Sorry if this is not allowed here.Long story short, I joined a startup as an SWE 3 months ago and the CTO who I was supposed to work under quit the week after I joined. I primarily work closely with another guy (small startup) now and although he's really good he has a tendency to hide things he's working on from me and kinda micromanage me even though he's not my boss. I don't enjoy working with him and I'm considering quitting in a month. Does it look bad if you quit after 3 months? This is my second job after grad school. I was at my previous role for 6 years.

JSeymourATL · Accepted Answer

> the CTO who I was supposed to work under quit the week after I joined.
THIS happens ALL the time.
The entire Reporting Relationship/Team Dynamic changed.
That's a valid reason to move on.
Incidentally, might be worth connecting with the former CTO via Linkedin.
While he may be contractually prohibited from employing you in his new role. He could serve as professional reference.

thiago_fm · Answer

I'd look for a new job and quit. But it's my own opinion, you know your life better.
As you worked before 6 years on your job and tech is a good market, I'd just mention that when I do an interview:
- I've worked 6 years on that company... I wanted to try something new, but shortly after I've joined, the CTO who hired me quit and I no longe see a great future for X company. This is why I'm applying to your company, which I believe has a good product because of X Y Z etc.
I believe if you explain it well, it could be even positive to you in a new interview for a new job, because you show them that you are quitting for your own good, with positive intentions, because also what you wrote here tells me what you are doing it for a good reason. I'd hire you if I could :-)

seanrrwilkins · Answer

A couple questions to ask yourself before your leave:
1. Why did you join this company? Was it a personal connection or admiration for the CTO? Or do you actually like the company/product/service you're working on?
2. Are you mostly unhappy with the working relationship with this one person, or with the full company? If it's with this one person, that's fixable with some effort and conversations with other leaders to restructure the operation.
3. What have you learned from this to take forward? If you decide to leave, what learnings are you taking from this experience to better qualify and understand the future roles and organizations?

d--b · Answer

No it doesn&rsquo;t look bad. It&rsquo;s a startup, so people understand that things can go sour quickly. Especially since you&rsquo;ve been at the work before for 6 years

sciencewolf · Answer

> I was at my previous role for 6 years.You're fine. Recruiters and hiring managers are scared of people who chronically leave after 6 months, not once a decade.

quaquaqua1 · Answer

If you do find a better job, you can just simply leave this one off your resume.If you don't, then be happy you can collect the paychecks from this one :)

mharroun · Answer

Is a replacement coming? Do you like the company otherwise?
If your only issue is the other guy then in theory this could workout better for you as when the CTO's replacement comes in you all have nearly equal footing.
Who is your boss post his departure the CEO? If so be proactive and set time up with them to ask questions and voice concerns. You could possibly carve yourself a comfort zone.

Raed667 · Answer

This is a totally normal and valid reason for leaving a job. Be honest about why you're leaving and start looking for a new job. If someone refuses to interview you because of this, you're probably better not working for them anyway.

apineda · Answer

A developer we recently hired explained during the interview why he got fired from his previous job. He's been with us for several months now and has been a great asset. As long as you interview well and explain yourself you should be fine in whichever direction you wish to go.

aqsis · Answer

I wouldn't stress it too much. It used to be that a lots of places on your work history was frowned upon, but in my experience as a hirer, it's not such a big deal these days. It shouldn't affect your hireability in the future in any measurable way.

codingdave · Answer

This wouldn't be a red flag in my mind. You are clearly capable of sticking with a job, but this one just didn't work out. It happens. Move on, and in a few years, this job will barely be a blip in your memory.

algaeontoast · Answer

Plain and simple, leave now. Things aren&rsquo;t going to get better, you owe your employee nothing. Just don&rsquo;t put it on your resume.

more_corn · Answer

Totally valid reason.In other news, I work at a place with a great culture. Drop me your resume and I'll get you in the pipeline ;- ) hn-expedited@envoy.com

CTO quit a week after I joined and I don't like working there anymore

No it doesn’t look bad. It’s a startup, so people understand that things can go sour quickly. Especially since you’ve been at the work before for 6 years

> I was at my previous role for 6 years.
You're fine. Recruiters and hiring managers are scared of people who chronically leave after 6 months, not once a decade.

If you do find a better job, you can just simply leave this one off your resume.
If you don't, then be happy you can collect the paychecks from this one :)

This is a totally normal and valid reason for leaving a job. Be honest about why you're leaving and start looking for a new job. If someone refuses to interview you because of this, you're probably better not working for them anyway.

A developer we recently hired explained during the interview why he got fired from his previous job. He's been with us for several months now and has been a great asset. As long as you interview well and explain yourself you should be fine in whichever direction you wish to go.

I wouldn't stress it too much. It used to be that a lots of places on your work history was frowned upon, but in my experience as a hirer, it's not such a big deal these days. It shouldn't affect your hireability in the future in any measurable way.

This wouldn't be a red flag in my mind. You are clearly capable of sticking with a job, but this one just didn't work out. It happens. Move on, and in a few years, this job will barely be a blip in your memory.

Plain and simple, leave now. Things aren’t going to get better, you owe your employee nothing. Just don’t put it on your resume.

Totally valid reason.
In other news, I work at a place with a great culture. Drop me your resume and I'll get you in the pipeline ;- ) hn-expedited@envoy.com