What do recruiters think about
“job hoppers”?

Applicants, who often change jobs, tend to be viewed with suspicion by employers seeking employees. Changing jobs is not a crime, but it is still difficult to an applicant to find a new job. Unlike past times, today's labor market allows people to search for jobs that are more attractive. However, regardless of the cause of frequent dismissals, they must be rationally explained. 

Nowadays, length of service in a company of one and a half to two years is seen as an optimal work experience, while three or more years are considered a sign of great stability. In such situations, the recruiter believes that the candidate is able to establish and maintain business relations with colleagues and work quite effectively. If the company is not satisfied with the work of the employee or his attitude to the team, they will not wait three years to fire him.

There are companies, which are, interested that employees or a group of specialists (narrow specialists, managers) work for them long-term. For such companies, "job hoppers" are not preferred. 

The frequent change of jobs does not necessarily indicate instability or lack of seriousness of the applicant. Middle and top management usually have long-term goals and objectives, and therefore are less likely to change their job. Nevertheless, there are professions, well known for its high mobility: for example, e-commerce, design, IT-sphere, where work is often project based. Young professionals, who are still in search of themselves, also frequently change jobs.

The reasons for prejudice against "job hoppers" in today's time is more rational: it is not financially profitable for an employer to hire an employee who will leave company shortly after arrival. The employer spends money and time on recruitment of the candidate, then training, induction and his/her adaptation to the new job. It is therefore reasonable to employ a more stable person, who at least knows how to stay in the company for a long time. 

WHAT “JOB HOPPERS” NEED TO DO

• carefully prepare themselves for the difficulties in the process of finding a new job
• properly and in advance prepare an explanation for dismissals from previous jobs
• improve skills of successfully passing an interview and self-presentation
• pay special attention to employer search through a network of personal contacts, because it is easier to give an explanation for previous dismissals in this way and because they would be more understanding
• if possible, do not show resume till interview
• do not write all the work places, but only employers where you have worked during the past 3 years
• in resume after specifying each job, write the reason for dismissal 

How to increase “job hopper’s” chance to find a job

We advise you not to write all previous work places, if they are not related to vacancy. Besides short job description, write your achievements, what did you learn at previous work places and what is the thing that you really know how to do.

Cover letter can be of help.  That’s bot formal document and especially because of that, you can clear up your situation. Unfortunately, not many recruiters read cover letters.   

You can explain set of movements during the interview. Furthermore, you will need to convincingly show motivation to a long and successful work in the desired company. Everyone understands that situation in the labor market is unstable: you might get laid off, in the middle of closing the foreign representative office or office move to another city. Tell that to your potential supervisor! To back up your words you may give contact of managers or colleagues from previous jobs. Recruiters in today's time can check the recommendations, especially if you change jobs frequently. 

On the other hand, if your past transitions were associated with conflicts between employees or with the management, it is better not to show negative emotions and do not blame anyone. It is better to describe current situation as neutral as possible, and be prepared to share the responsibility. 

Situation around the globe

In the West, recruitment agencies rarely consider the "Job hoppers" as potential candidates. Changing jobs is preferred after 3-5 years in the same company.

In America, people think that the frequent change of work is allowed only for young professionals.

Over the past few years, UAE has created more than 1 million jobs for foreign workers, but main requirements for specialists are strong will to work, develop themselves and loyalty to the company. Work contracts start from one yearlong; employees are motivated with stable career growth and higher pay. In addition, since 2009, there is serious work to improve quality of work and life of migrant workers, and that is all in order to keep employees in the long term. In the Arab countries candidacy of a candidate with "rich" resume, who often changed jobs, are never considered for a vacancy. There is also a common practice that whole Arab families can work in one company until their retirement.

In Japan, employees are hired for life - one in three Japanese stays in the company until the official retirement.