Are you tired of sighing at yet another resume with a history of frequent job changes? It’s a common reaction in today’s hiring landscape, where the term “job hopper” often brings up negative emotions.
But what if there’s more to these career leaps than meets the eye? Before throwing another resume in the “no” pile, consider these seemingly random jumps may be rooted in circumstances beyond the job seeker’s control.
A Shift in Job Security
Gone are the days when employees spent decades, if not their entire working lives, tethered to a single company.
The employer-employee relationship has shifted dramatically since the 1980s, with the concept of lifelong job security and pensions becoming increasingly obsolete. And frankly, that’s partially because employers aren’t promising that type of longevity, prompting a natural shift in job-seeking behavior.
The point is there are good reasons job seekers have movement in their work history. You have to dig into the motivations and circumstances driving their decisions to understand whether or not they’d be a good fit for your company.
Red Flag Job Hoppers
First of all, not all job hoppers are created equal. While some may indeed exhibit traits of disloyalty or lack of commitment, others set out on their journey for very valid reasons. Understanding the difference between these two categories can mean the difference between hiring a dud or finding your next rock star.
In the realm of “bad” job hoppers, you’ll find people who unintentionally hop from one job to another, lacking a sense of loyalty or commitment. They may appear disengaged and unclear about their career path, leaving a trail of short-lived jobs in their wake. This type of job hopper lacks focus and follow-through.
For employers, this type of job hopper understandably raises concerns about reliability and long-term commitment.
Following the Money Trail
One significant factor that makes job hoppers jump is money.
“It literally pays to switch jobs.” –Forbes
The average annual raise is 3%, also known as a “loyalty tax,” since those who switch jobs tend to gain an increase of approximately 10-20%. This kind of salary bump is a tempting option for those looking to boost their earning potential.
If a candidate is unhappy with their employer’s company culture or doesn’t align with their values and vision, can you blame them for making the jump to get a pay bump?
Finding Untapped Potential
Not all job hoppers are bad. Some transitions are driven by the desire for professional growth, new skills, or changing circumstances. These people may have outgrown their previous roles or found themselves in toxic work environments. These job changes reflect a strategic approach to career development and an opportunity to find your next great culture fit.
The opportunity for new challenges plays a significant role in job hopping behavior. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 25-34 year olds only stay in their jobs for 2.8 years on average. Millennials and Gen Z employees, in particular, are notorious for their willingness to explore different career paths in pursuit of fulfillment and advancement.
For example, consider a young electrician who starts his career as an apprentice working for a small residential electrical company. Despite mastering the craft, he feels limited by the scope of projects and advancement opportunities.
Driven by a desire for new challenges and opportunities for growth, he decides to switch to the biggest company in the region. But when he gets there, he realizes he doesn’t like the politics of working for a large company.
By the time his resume comes across your desk, it looks like he’s made three job changes in a short amount of time. In reality, he’s just finding a balance between satisfying his need for professional development and the right culture fit. As long as you know how to interview to uncover the red flags, this candidate may be just the person you’ve been looking for.
Here are some tips to elevate your interview conversation:
- Spend time getting to know the candidate
- Talk about the good and the bad of the job
- Share who they’ll be working with and how they’ll be managed
When you have an objective interview process, you can dig deeper to get to know the candidates and uncover if they’ll be the right fit for the job, regardless of their previous job hopping.
Leveraging the Potential of Job Hoppers
It’s important to recognize that not all job hoppers are bad. Rather than instantly dismissing candidates with a history of frequent job changes, ask questions to evaluate if they’re the right fit for your company.
By understanding the motivations behind job hoppers, you can sniff out red flags and unlock a wealth of untapped talent within this diverse pool of candidates. After all, in a world where career paths are anything but linear, adaptability and resilience are qualities worth celebrating.
