Job-hopper? Breathe Easier . . .
Think your chances of landing a decent job have been diminished because you've held many positions over the years? Think again. Employers are increasingly more interested in what applicants have done, not necessarily where they've done it.
By Chris Alfe, Thingamajob Staff Writer
And here's more good news. Not only is job-hopping not always viewed negatively by hiring managers these days, it's actually interpreted favorably in many instances. It exhibits the bold steps you'll take in order to continue your personal and professional growth and avoid stagnation.
Exactly how your work history is interpreted has a lot to do with how you present it on your resume, and how you present yourself at an interview. While the old job-hopper's stigma may be lifted, you still should be careful to explain your situation properly. Consider the following tips:
Based on organizational values and culture, some companies view job-hopping much more favorably than others.
Tip 1: Apply to companies that value personal growth
Based on organizational values and culture, some companies view job-hopping much more favorably than others. Companies that place great stock in the personal and professional development of their employees may be more likely to value the experience and viewpoints gained by someone who has held multiple positions within one industry. Organizations that value loyalty, commitment and permanence may be less enamored with a job-hopper's resume.
Chart in advance your personal growth strategy, and bring it with you to your interview. It will help justify your job transitions and speak to how serious personal and professional growth is to you.
Tip 2: Place your moves into context
Invariably, work history will be raised as a topic during an interview. Seek to frame the conversation in a context that is favorable to you. If a move was involuntary (i.e. downsizing), then be sure to communicate this swiftly. If a move was voluntary, explain how you bettered yourself and your skills by making the move, emphasizing the goals you met along the way.
Don't allow the interviewer to cast you as a quitter; professionally justify your transitions while pointing out your accomplishments. Be sure to show how each move fit into your master growth plan, and how each move was deliberate and purposeful.
Tip 3: Obtain quality references
References are vital! Offer to provide references what will justify your reason for leaving an organization. Use these references to confirm that you didn't leave the firm at an inopportune time or on bad terms.
Which resume style is the job hopper's favorite? Read on to find out.
If an old employer has a policy prohibiting managers from giving out information about previous employees, then furnish the name of an individual as a personal reference so that he or she can speak on your behalf.
Tip 4: Reorganize your resume
If you've held many jobs during a short time span, consider converting your conventional, chronological resume into a functional format.
Functional resumes are perfect for those who've changed jobs often. Work history, education, certifications and other information is not grouped chronologically but instead clustered around various skill sets. This emphasizes the self-improvement that can be realized from changing jobs, while de-emphasizing the actual organizations for whom you were employed at different times.
Looking to make a career move? Create a free Thingamajob account and gain access to a wide spectrum of job opportunities from Allegis Group's diverse family of staffing companies including TEKsystems and Aerotek.