“Why have you changed jobs so often?”
This is a question you might hear hiring decision-makers ask when they look at your resume if you have changed jobs several times. It’s important to understand the impression this type of resume leaves with people.
So, how do you overcome the impression you’re a job-hopper? You prepare answers to questions about frequent job changes before you go to an interview.
The term “job hopping” makes you sound unstable and the truth is, job hopping scares hiring decision-makers because it triggers their No. 1 fear: Making a bad hiring decision.
Both the employer and the job candidate can learn from job hopping. For the employer, it’s easy to develop a distrustful perception when interviewing a candidate who has the right background and skills but has a work history filled with changes.
Hiring decision-makers might benefit by taking a second look at what it means to job hop in today’s marketplace where mergers and acquisitions are part of the daily work culture. The 2010 version of job hopping is somewhat different than in the past where a traditional work culture was the norm.
• Changing jobs now occurs every 2-3 years and more frequently for those 20-30 years old, where the norm is 18 months. That means frequent job changes are not unusual for the average worker.
• Employers could be missing out on good talent by allowing the “job-hopper” stigma to influence their hiring decisions.
• When interviewing candidates, listen for plausible explanations for frequent job changes before jumping to conclusions.
• Job candidates who change jobs frequently might be highly results-oriented employees who need the challenge of solving problems.
While a job candidate cannot control the bankruptcy of a company or the behind-the-scenes talk of a possible merger, they can control the decision they make to accept the job by asking questions during the interview to help them choose if this position is a good fit for them.
There are several lessons for the job candidate, too. There are ways to manage the impression you’re a job-hopper, and help you build a career path.
• Job hopping can give a perception that a job candidate is self-focused rather than employer-focused, which can send a negative message.
• Slow down before accepting a job offer, and consider if it is a good fit for you.
• Take stock of what’s driving your decisions when accepting job offers and the reasons for the frequent job changes.
• Step into the employer’s shoes and develop an understanding of the point of view that frequent job changes signal a potential problem.
• There are numerous reasons for changing jobs: a poor match, personality conflicts, new management, downsizing, company bankruptcy or change in company’s direction to name a few.
• Consider going on the offensive and acknowledging the stigma attached with change and practice giving an explanation.
• Job hopping can hurt your retirement.
• A background of multiple job changes early in your career often signals the desire to find a right career path, and that can be explained.
• Frequent changes can in, some cases, boost your compensation, but it is best if the changes are in a related field showing a progression instead of indecisiveness.
• Develop a list of strong references that can vouch for your work history.
• Be mindful of the lasting effects of too many jobs in a short time.
• Don’t leave your employer until you have accomplished goals that will add to your skill sets.
• Accept your next offer with the goal of rebuilding stability. Plan to stay with one employer for a while.
When you think of job hopping, what comes to mind?
