Archive for August, 2008
Is job hopping now en vogue?
August 1, 2008 10:48 am
Since becoming engaged in the job search process I have found “ageism” to be more real than not and that long-tenure at one company, where my experience lies, is actually not regarded highly by employers. Can you provide input on whether job-hopping is now en vogue and advise how I can show the breadth of my experience positively on my resume?
Potential employers are looking for breadth of experience and aptitude for working in different environments. If you can show movement within the company such as promotions and working in different divisions/departments then you can narrow the gap between you and someone who has worked in a variety of different companies. You should also be able to demonstrate that you were set up in roles that had an increased set of challenges and professional growth. When you interview, give examples that show you have the ability to be flexible and your tolerance for change, as well as your ability to generate new and creative ideas to show that you haven’t been blinded by working in one culture for so many years.
As far as job hopping there are many factors that influence it, among which are age and industry.
According to the Bureau of labor statistics (job openings and labor turnover survey 2005), the average American between the ages of 18 and 38 has held 10.2 jobs and younger individuals are more apt to change jobs. Another, earlier study showed that more experienced workers of the 45-54 range worked for the same company three times longer than 25-34 year olds.
I have found that executives who work in technology, private equity backed companies and turnarounds have changed jobs more. Stock options and the fast rate of advancement in technology make this more common and acceptable.
Job hopping may be more common but it’s not always the most desired by recruiters or potential employers. It can raise concern about a person’s ability to navigate politics in a corporation or their potential for boredom. For this reason, I always advise clients to add a line to their resume as to the reason for their transition if they have frequent moves.
