If you've changed jobs too much in a short period of time, you'll need to control the perception of this. If not, employers will assume the worst - - that you are a dreaded “job hopper.”
First off, understand why being a "job hopper" carries such a stigma.
Companies will think that you...
- leave jobs whenever things get tough and challenging
- get bored quickly
- can't make a long term commitment to a job
- are being let go from all these jobs
- will leave any job for more money
- an acquisition where the company name changes (and you haven't actually switched jobs at all)
- the job being a short term contract
- the company (or you) relocated out of state
- a reorg where your department/project was phased out
- being laid off
- leaving for a better opportunity (career move, easier commute)
What
type of pattern will draw the wrong kind of attention? If your average tenure at jobs is too
short (ex: 1 1/2 year stints) or you have had multiple jobs in a short period
of time (ex: 3 jobs in 5 years. If your work history puts you in jeopardy of
appearing to be a job hopper. Simply control that perception by placing a brief
explanation in parenthesis next to the dates of employment. The
dates in the sample job history below look far less "suspect" when accommodated with specific explanations.
Team
Leader,
COMPANY E -
Sr.
Application Developer,
COMPANY D - Boston, MA
Software
Developer,
COMPANY C - Boston, MA
Software
Developer,
COMPANY B - Boston, MA
Junior
Programmer/ Analyst,
COMPANY A - Boston, MA
Follow this advice along with my other
suggestions for writing a great resume.
Wow Impressive!
Your blog is very informative. However, it is pretty hard task but your
post and experience serve and teach me how to handle and make it more
simple and manageable.
Thanks for the tips… Best regards.
Posted by: resume writing | August 17, 2009 at 06:53 AM