When You Know, You Know: The Art of the Quick Exit
There’s something oddly liberating about reading stories of people who’ve walked away from jobs faster than you can say “probationary period.” Yesterday I stumbled across a discussion thread about the shortest timeframes people have known a job wasn’t for them, and it got me thinking about workplace red flags and the courage it takes to trust your gut.
The original poster had it figured out in just two days. Two days! And honestly, good on them. There’s a refreshing honesty in recognising that early that something isn’t right and having the backbone to act on it. They mentioned not wanting to get “further enmeshed and embedded” with people relying on them before making their exit - which shows more consideration for their colleagues than many employers show their staff.
What struck me most were the stories of people who knew within minutes. One person walked into an interview, saw their potential boss verbally abusing an employee, and promptly turned around and left. Another recognised a hiring manager from their past and knew immediately they wouldn’t get the role. These aren’t stories of people being picky or entitled - these are people who’ve learned to recognise toxic situations and have the self-respect to walk away.
The door-to-door sales stories particularly resonated with me. Multiple people shared experiences of being misled about “marketing” or “energy sales” roles, only to find themselves being driven to suburban areas for unpaid door-knocking marathons. It’s a scam that’s been running for decades, preying on young job seekers who don’t yet know to ask the right questions. The fact that several people mentioned this happening in Melbourne suburbs makes it even more real - these predatory practices are happening right here in our city.
Working in IT, I’ve been fortunate to mostly avoid the worst workplace toxicity, but I’ve certainly seen my share of dysfunctional environments. There’s usually a moment - sometimes in the interview, sometimes on day one - where you get that sinking feeling in your stomach. The question is whether you listen to it or convince yourself you’re being unreasonable.
What’s interesting is how many of these quick exits were driven by fundamental mismatches in values rather than just job dissatisfaction. The person who discovered their “40-hour” role actually required 50 hours with only 40 paid wasn’t just dealing with a heavy workload - they were dealing with an employer who fundamentally misrepresented the position. The person whose boss got defensive about being “interviewed” during the interview process revealed they didn’t understand that hiring should be a two-way conversation.
These stories also highlight the privilege involved in being able to walk away quickly. Several people acknowledged that not everyone can afford to quit without notice, and that’s absolutely true. Having the financial cushion or in-demand skills that allow for immediate exits is a luxury. But that doesn’t mean the red flags aren’t still there for everyone to see - it just means not everyone has the same options for responding to them.
What bothers me most about these tales is how predictable many of them are. The door-to-door sales bait-and-switch, the abusive managers, the employers who threaten candidates for withdrawing applications - these aren’t isolated incidents. They’re patterns that suggest systemic problems in how we’ve structured work and power in our economy.
The silver lining in all these stories is that people are increasingly willing to share their experiences and call out poor workplace practices. Each person who walks away and tells their story makes it a little easier for the next person to recognise the warning signs. It’s a small form of collective resistance against the idea that workers should be grateful for any job, no matter how poorly they’re treated.
Maybe the real lesson here isn’t about how quickly you can identify a bad situation - it’s about building the confidence and resources to act on that knowledge. Whether that’s having enough savings to quit without notice, developing skills that make you marketable, or simply learning to ask better questions during the interview process, the goal is giving yourself options.
Next time you’re job hunting, remember that interviews are indeed a two-way street. You’re not just trying to impress them - you’re also evaluating whether they deserve your time and energy. Trust your instincts, ask the uncomfortable questions, and don’t be afraid to walk away from situations that don’t feel right. Sometimes the shortest job stint is actually the smartest career move you’ll ever make.