Are you a job seeker with a lot of different jobs on your resume? It’s true that lots of people switch jobs more frequently than we used to, and so it’s less of a big deal than it used to be. However, there is a point where having a certain number of jobs over X years appears to an employer that you are a job hopper. Related:How To Answer 5 Tricky Job Interview Questions If you’ve changed jobs a lot, employers may be a little nervous about hiring you. They may see you as someone who doesn’t know what you want, can’t make a commitment, isn’t dependable, or isn’t mature. On top of that, it’s expensive to take the time to conduct interviews, onboard a new hire and get them up to speed, only to lose them in a short time and have to go through the whole process again. It’s important to calm any fears or doubts that employer may have about you. So what’s the best way to explain your situation in a job interview? Give an answer that makes sense and isn’t personal.
- “The company went out of business.”
- “My department was dissolved” or otherwise disbanded.
- “Those jobs were contract jobs” and so had an expiration date built in.
- “My spouse had to move for his/her job” and so you had to move with them.
- “Every job has been an increase in pay.” Even if it’s true (and understandable), it makes you seem like a money-chaser rather than an invested, dedicated employee.
- “I keep ending up in hostile work environments.” This will say more about you and how you react to situations and get along with people than about your past jobs.
- “I’ve had a run of bad luck with jobs.” Again, this says more about you than the jobs.
- “I got fired a couple of times.” Getting fired once can be explainable (see interview answers about getting fired). Getting fired 2-3 times a lot more difficult for employers to understand.