<prompt> Human: I quit my job about a month ago to join a startup with some friends of mine as a VP. The idea were working on is great, but my friend the CEO is TERRIBLE at leadership. Usually the first words out of his mouth during reviews are no, you should do it this way instead, without even looking at what the team put together. Scope keeps on expanding and he keeps telling everyone that everything is still on track. Also, he didnt tell me Id be working in another city for months, away from my family, and even tried to make me pay for the tickets. I could go on and on, but Im sure you can imagine.My question is, what kind of obstacles are there in re-entering the job market at the same pay level? If I quit, how bad would it look to employers that I only worked here for one month? Should I just leave it off my resume? Can I go back to my old employer without looking like a complete fool? I have a bunch saved up 1.5 years at current cost of living, conservatively so Im luckily not in a tight spot financially.PS I know this isnt strictly personal finance, but people in other subs are idiots and I actually trust you guysgals!Edit Thanks everyone. The consensus seems to be:1 Try to stick it out2 If I must leave, do not put it on my resume3 Bring it up, if it comes up, during the interview in as positive a light as possible4 This should not hurt me, but of course pay is based on the benefit you bring to the table5 Startups are serious shit I knew this, often with crazy people running them I didnt know thisAssistant: This doesnt address your question but one month is a very small amount of time to spend at a job. Was all of this really a total and complete surprise? Have you tried discussing this with your coworkers or the CEO? Since you have little to lose you could just confront the CEO and tell him you arent interested in staying with the company on these terms and see if he will make any adjustments.I think if you had a 1-2 month job at a startup on your resume then you should expect some questions like this from prospective employers. I think everyone can understand a job not working out but its unusual to get fed up so quickly.You could just omit it from your resume and tell people you took some time off, or that you have been looking for a job and havent found the right thing yet etc. Whether or not you were overpaid at your previous job or could get back at the same salary is hard to say. You could always contact your former employer and see if theyll take you back.Human: Was all of this really a total and complete surprise?As several of my new coworkers have told me He is the most manipulative person I have ever met. He assured me that wed be staying in my city, then when I joined told me Id have to live in this other city for at least several more months. Then tried to make me pay for travel to see my family. Meanwhile he put my face and credentials including big name companies on the front page of the investor deck.Say what you will about big corporations, but Ive never seen anything like this in a business setting. Maybe Im just naive.Assistant: I have worked for 5 startups and they are all a cult of personality around one or two people, and you tend to get very autocratic leaders, and they are also very tight about expenses. I worked for one startup that required the team to travel to one location every month or two and they wanted people to share hotel rooms for example.You say they tried to make you pay for travel -- I mean, does this just mean that they were reluctant to reimburse you for personal travel? My point really is that you need to reset your expectations when working for a startup, the attitude is that everyone has to do everything all the time for as little as possible. They are probably losing money and burning through investor cash very quickly and things like surprise travel and little or no reimbursement for expenses are par for the course in my experience.Human: I appreciate this perspective, it gave me pause for thought. I feel for him, and I think I would be fine with it if he didnt constantly shit all over everyones work, then propose the same thing they did a few days later, and chastise everyone for not thinking at the same level as him. Constantly increasing scope, lying to investors about launch timeline and deliverables. Verbally abusive when stressed.Youre probably right, its likely something many startup employees deal with, but it came as a shock me. Question: Are most startups like this or should I just go back to corporate life with my tail between my legs?  <response>: Dont go to a startup without understanding the do-or-die mindset that anyone worth anything will be in. A startup has little room to temper expectations with investors or clients.They have to promise the moon to be considered to have business done with them, over established companies. If the moon does get delivered a few times, that is when the company can start getting its bearings.Also: never work 120 hour weeks for something you do not have an ownership interest in. 