October 29, 2016

What Is A Job Hopper?

Are you a job hopper? Take a look at your resume and you’ll find out. If you have more jobs listed than years of work experience you’re probably a job hopper.

A job hopper is a person who has a track record of changing jobs regularly. There are numerous reasons why people become job hoppers – to climb the ladder, to make more money, to find the perfect job, or to build a certain skill set. Bouncing from one job to the next can be advantageous to a young professional who’s trying to find their niche, but it also comes with consequences.

Discover The Pros and Cons Of Job Hopping

The biggest downfall that job seeker’s face is when a track record of job hopping becomes a defined pattern. If it happens once or even twice, it’s easy to overlook a job change, but when there are frequent job changes on your resume, recruiters are going to start to wonder about you.

In case you didn’t know, the cost of hiring a new employee is expensive. Recruiting, training, benefits, salary, HR, and other costs add up quickly. It’s estimated that the average cost of hiring a new employee can be thousands of dollars per employee! No business wants to assume that type of cost on a regular basis just to hire an disloyal, unreliable job hopper.

Once you get the job hopper label, it can be tough to find a job. Recruiters and hiring managers will look at your past performance as an indicator of your future performance. If you have a pattern of leaving jobs after less than 12 months, they might be dubious about what you’re really going to bring to the table and how long you’re likely to stick around.

While job hopping may be frowned upon, things are changing. In today’s modern job market, job hopping is becoming a more common occurrence. The younger generation of workers aren’t sticking around the same job and the same employer like the Baby Boomer generation did. This means recruiters may be more willing to take a chance on you – but you’re going to have to convince them.

Why You Should Quit Your Job Right Now

Job hopping is what it is. There are both pros and cons to being a job hopper. The next time you plan to quit a job to see if the grass is greener on the other side, think about how your short term employment might affect your professional future. It’s something to consider.

As always, there is one exception to the job hopping rule. Long term seasonal workers usually escape the serial job hopper stereotype. For example, if you work winters at ski resorts and summers as a raft guide you’re probably in the clear of being lumped in with the job hopper crowd.

If you’re a job hopper, you’re going to have to work doubly hard to find a job. You’ll need to prove your loyalty, highlight your skill sets, and show that you’re ready to settle down. It’s your job to convince an employer that you’re the right person for the job despite your track record. Best of luck.