Jobs don’t always turn out like we think they will. Maybe you start a job and find it just isn’t for you, or you got laid off multiple times early on in the pandemic. Perhaps you start a job but have to move because your significant other got a new job or because you need to take care of a sick loved one.
Whatever your reason, your resume makes you look like a job hopper, which might scare off potential employers. They want someone that’s going to be in it for the long haul. According to Glassdoor, the average cost to hire is $4,000, and employers don’t want to spend that money on someone who leaves in a few months. So, if you have numerous jobs in a short amount of time, you’ll almost certainly get asked why in an interview. And even if you don’t, it’s something you should acknowledge and explain. Here’s how.
- Tell the Truth
You might be tempted to hide your reasons for job hopping, but as they say, “the truth will set you free.” Employers have already heard plenty of excuses for job hopping, so telling the truth can be a bit of fresh air. Just make sure to keep things professional. Instead of saying something like “my boss was the worst, and the job stunk,” go with “the company culture wasn’t a great fit for me, and I wanted to find a position that really had potential for advancement.” If you left because your significant other found a new job or your family was sick, just let the interviewer know. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, and nobody is going to dock you interview points for loving your family.
- Keep Things Quick
In general, companies see job hopping as a bad thing. That’s why you should try to explain your job hopping as quickly as possible so you can get to the real reasons you’re a great fit for the job. You want to tell your interviewer why this company is the exception, not go into lengthy explanations for why you quit your other jobs.
Try to keep your job hopping explanation to around 20 seconds or so. That way you can move on to other interview questions.
- Focus on the Company You’re Interviewing With
Now that you’ve got past your job hopping, you can focus on why this company is right for you. Where do they fit into your career plan? Why is it that they’re a perfect fit? You want to show that this company is the exception, that you won’t be leaving in a few months like you did with previous positions.
- Read the Job Journey Answering the Interview Question eBook
We can’t be there with you during the interview, but we want to help by spotlighting a few more of the most popular interview questions. For more info on this and other interview questions, check out our Job Spotlight eBook: Are You Ready for a New Career? It’s full of helpful tips and interview hacks.
Any other interview questions? Let us know in the comments section below.
