“We don’t want job hoppers on our team.”
Along with the required experience and skills, many companies hold strong reservations against job hoppers. An article from soocial.com revealed that only 16% of large companies would hire job hoppers. In today’s dynamic business world, while companies seek to further their growth, employees seek to advance their careers—often jumping from one company to another to gain more skills and broaden their experience.
Candidates’ Three Big WHYs
Career Advancement
Job Satisfaction
Higher Salary
What to Watch Out For When Considering a Job Hopper
Lack of Commitment
Disruption of Team Dynamics
Integrating a new member into a team often leads to changes in assignments, workflow, and overall productivity. This disruption can be exacerbated if a newly onboarded team member leaves the company within a few short months.
Filtering Out the Good from the Potentially Bad
Not all hoppers are a red flag. Here’s a short checklist to help you make a sound decision when considering job hoppers
Career Track and Inconsistent Experience
Job hopping can sometimes result in a lack of consistent experience, especially if a candidate jumps between different roles in different industries. While they may have acquired numerous skills, they might be a “jack of all trades, master of none.” This is less of a concern if the candidate stays within the same field; but; even then, every company has its own way of doing things which can challenge the candidate’s adaptability and ability to transfer skills effectively.
Reasons for Changing Jobs
Context matters when reviewing resumes. What were the reasons for leaving their previous positions? You’ll never know if a toxic workplace culture or lack of growth opportunities drove them to make a quick exit unless you engage them in a conversation with your hiring team. A 2022 survey by CNBC found that toxic company culture was the number one reason workers quit jobs, with low salaries, poor management, and a lack of work-life balance following closely behind. Understanding the candidate’s reasons for changing jobs can give you valuable insight into their motivations and career trajectory.
Multiple Resume Gaps
A few gaps in a resume can be acceptable, especially if there’s a good reason. However, frequent gaps may be a red flag. A consistent pattern of hopping followed by significant periods of unemployment suggests that the candidate may lack seriousness or in-demand skills. These are the types of resumes that warrant closer scrutiny to assess the candidate’s motivation and suitability for your position.
Recruit the Best Talent Now
Workplace norms are constantly evolving. Tenure doesn’t always equate to the best performance, and the top talent in the field is always seeking opportunities to grow in every area.
