Job hopper?

[SarahJop22]

I am in the process of applying for jobs. I have to leave my current post for personal reasons. I am in my mid forties.

I am a bit worried that I look like a job hopper on applications.

My recent employment history is:

Current job (been there 3 years)

Previous job (1 year but it was a temp job so can justify that)

Previous job (there 1 year)

Previous job (3 years)

So basically I've had four jobs in the last eight years. Will this go against me? Will I look fickle to potential employers?

Thanks

2 roles at 3 years shows solid commitment, and 2 at 1 year each (one of which was a temp position) is definitely not job hopping.

Jobhopping is for example 4-6 jobs in 2 years if they were all meant to be permanent. I'd be questioning why so many changes. But if the roles are short term contracts say between 2-9 months,then even that is fine. Job mobility is much more the norm nowadays.

Focus on the great experience you gained over those roles, and diversity of companies gave you visibility of different processes.

That's reassuring. Thanks :)

I used to be a job hopper (under the guise of 'contracting') and would have several jobs a year moving on after only a few months!

So no what you've put isn't job hopping.

I wouldn't class you as job hopping, OP - I'd see your last job as the most relevant, and you've been there a decent chunk.

I would have a good answer worked out about why you've left each one, though. I've been impressed by a few candidates recently who had a really good line on what they wanted their career to be like, and what each job had given them to allow this (skills, experience etc). That made them seem committed to an idea or a plan, if not if individual jobs.

But this is very industry specific - in my function three years is about average, others it would be seen as a quick move.

I work in education. The 'contracting' thing wouldn't wash in this field.

I have a few interviews lined up and already have responses up my sleeve if asked. They are kind of based in fact so I should be okay.

I'm hoping my next job is a keeper. I've learned from my mistakes (largely getting too involved with colleagues in my current job). I will be keeping a professional distance in any job I have next.

Thank you for the replies :)

I've been impressed by a few candidates recently who had a really good line on what they wanted their career to be like

You like people who can bullshit well then .

OP it isn't that bad - follow the advice above and spin them a yarn about how you wanted experience of lots of different schools before your major promotion push ;)

Tea - I like people who can think on their feet, understand their weaknesses and strategise.

That overlaps with bullshit, sure. But that's not unhelpful in many situations!

I would say having two jobs where you stayed for 3 years each shows commitment, whilst the 1 year jobs shows you have been gaining experience.

I don't think that having a prepared line about your career 'plan' is thinking on your feet. Perhaps I'm much older and more jaded than you, but with constant restructures/ change in the workplace it is rather impossible to plan one's own career that carefully. I have also met my share of bullshitters and they are usually frankly useless once you scratch beneath the surface after 10 minutes.

Surely what is most important is that you get the right person for the job (determined via competencies/ work related scenarios) rather than trying to pick apart details in people's cv's in some kind of 'make a mistake and you're out' sifting.

It's interesting because I have the opposite problem to the OP of getting stuck in a job post DC because it was PT and my CV looks shit because of that.

I don't think working P/T looks bad on your CV at all.

I've definitely gained experience in my jobs. I just wish I could find one I want to stay in. I think I may be a bit fickle to be honest but I have had my reasons for bailing,

I suppose we all bullshit to some extent. As long as it's got some grounding it's to be expected.

Thanks for your replies

No, it's getting stuck in the same job at the same level and getting effectively demoted via a takeover that looks cack. It is impossible to get promoted/ find another well paid job that is part time. So I had little choice but to stick with it. I think a lot of women have the same experience tbh.

Yep. DC (bless their cotton socks) tend to not help career progression.

But, surely this is taken into consideration?

That's not job hopping.

I remember when I first started out professionally, mid to late 00s, hearing from somewhere or other that less than 2 years looked 'bad'. Now, and in my experience, I think if you've been there 1 year it's fine. People do move more, jobs for life are nearly gone, short term contracts are a lot more common, depending on your sector funding often moves around, lots of places have gone bust in the recession and downturn following etc.

I think in terms of the part time sticking in same role, try and see if you can do other sidelines, voluntary stuff that might tick some different boxes? I agree it's very common (happened to my DH while he was working flexibly for childcare in fact, though I concur it's primarily women affected).

Yeah I always had that '2 year' thing in my head. I have friends and relatives that have worked in the same place for twenty years. I always assumed that looked better. I suppose it can be off putting in a way because it shows complacency I suppose it depends entirely on the employer.

I have friends and relatives that have worked in the same place for twenty years

this would actively count against you in my field... without sharing too many details, it would make you stand out as unusually stuck in your ways/not keeping up with the times (even if that's not even accurate!). the industry norm is < 3 years in most roles, and some industries are fairly flat... mine has a heavy contractor element.. so it's very very very unusual to see someone working at the same place for 20 years (even if they have had some progression in that time)...

Yeah 20 years in and you'd wonder if someone was a bit institutionalised.

If I look at a CV I'll be suspicious if all the roles are for less than 2 years (I realise that some people spend the whole time contracting, but on the whole I would expect some level of permanency - it will of course depend on the sector you are in). All my jobs have been for at least a year, longest 5 years, except for one where I left at the end of my 6 month probation period.

2 jobs for 1 year and 2 jobs for 3 years would look fine to me.

I’ve had so many jobs but that’s not reflected on my CV - over time you can leave jobs off, merge jobs together under a temporary job etc.

It makes me laugh when I interview for fixed term jobs and they’ve asked me why I’ve done so many temp contracts...yet they are interviewing me for a temp job!

I’ve turned down “job-hoppers”, sometimes without interview, sometimes after interview. When it is without interview, it is normally after clarifying why they moved so much with the recruitment agent, not just dismissing the candidate out of hand.

I would never consider the completion of a temp contract to be ‘job-hopping’, so it is worth making sure that your CV shows clearly that it was a temp contract. I’d also want a decent explanation of why the other 1 year role only lasted that long. I wouldn’t be too concerned though as it is quite a while ago.

The job hoppers that spring to mind as being turned down were:
Lasted about 9 months in each role, often resigning without a job to go to. Seemed flighty at interview.
Had been in current role for 9 months and had “learnt everything she could from the role/sector”. This was an entry level job and you could spend 20 years and still be learning. It wasn’t the job-hopping so much as complete lack of self and industry awareness.

All good advice. I have tweaked my CV.

I am filling in application forms at the moment. One in particular that I'm really keen on but I suspect (but don't know for sure) it may involve delivering training to staff. I am scared stiff when it comes to public speaking!!

I meet (and exceed) all of the job criteria. Should I fess up at interview that I don't do public speaking? Seriously, it's a proper phobia.I will just about hold it together doing a presentation in front of three people for the interview!

Thanks again

If you can hold it together doing a presentation to 3 people in an interview then training will be a breeze. It isn't really public speaking.

I honestly couldn't. When I know I have to stand in front of a room full of people I panic. I get severe anxiety to the point of panic. It starts days before and I can't sleep. When speaking in front of people (all those eyes looking at me!!) I visibly shake and can't think straight.

I just think addressing this at the interview would be better than getting the job and not being able to do what is expected. But, I might be shooting myself in the foot by admitting it when it might not be part of the job!!

Ah the joys of being neurotic.

Sorry for changing the nature of the thread :/

It is only one type of training anyway

True.

I'll play it by ear at the interview. If I get the impression that any public speaking is required I'll just be honest and say that I'm not a good fit. It would be a shame though because I think I'd be really good at the job.

Thanks