You’ve had several jobs in three years. It wasn’t because you were fired; maybe you were just finding your way, or the pandemic caused consecutive layoffs. Whatever the reason, your resume makes you look like a job-hopper. Traditionally, this has been a red flag to employers; they want to know you’ll stay dedicated to their company so they don’t spend time and money training you only for you to leave a few months later.
However, job hopping is much more common now than it was in years’ previous. It can be beneficial for workers to work under a variety of leadership styles and industries.
Nevertheless, there is still a stigma attached to job hopping. If the topic comes up in an interview, you’ll want to both explain the benefits of your job hopping and detail how this company is different. You won’t be leaving in a few months. Here’s how to do that.
- Explain Your Short-Term Jobs
When your interviewer asks about your experience, take the time to explain all the short-term jobs on your resume. Try to cover this quickly and succinctly so you can move the focus on your qualifications for the job. Maybe the leadership styles just weren’t for you, or you were trying to find where you fit in an industry. Don’t be afraid of being honest here: if you lost work because of the pandemic or a family illness, say that. Just don’t dwell on the topic for too long.
- Detail the Benefits of Your Job Hopping
Now that you’ve covered why you job hopped, it’s time to clarify how that made you a better candidate for the job. For example, perhaps you learned what type of leadership style is best for you, or the kind of position you want to work in for the rest of your life. Show your interviewer that you now know what doesn’t work, and are sure that this new job has everything you need.
- Explain that This Job is Different
Alright, now you’re in the home stretch. You’ve gone into detail about why you job hopped, and now it’s time to show you won’t hop away from this job. Note that you love this new company and that the leadership style seems perfect for you. Connect your skills to the position and say you think there’s potential for growth and you could see yourself with this company for many years to come.
At the end of the day, employers want the best candidate for the job. If you can show that your skills and experience make you a perfect fit, and that you won’t be leaving any time soon, you’re more likely to get the job.
Has job hopping ever come up in your interviews? How did you handle it? Let us know in the comments section below.
