Congratulations on getting a job interview! But wait – possibly that is nothing recent for you. Actually, perhaps you’ve had loads of experience of this lately as you’ve moved from company to company.
There are quite a few reasons that you just might change employers incessantly. In a recent poll by Hays on LinkedIn, we uncovered that the most well-liked reason for moving on was a rise in pay, followed by greater opportunities for development. Nonetheless, it might be attending to the stage where you’re concerned about how one can explain this in your next job interview.
On this blog, we’ll have a look at the profession approach that’s turn into often called “job hopping”, what your interviewer desires to learn about your reasons for this, and how one can explain your work experience within the interview.
What’s job hopping?
Job hopping refers back to the practice of fixing jobs incessantly, typically every two years, and even fewer. It’s turn into more common amongst today’s workforce, too – a Hays poll on LinkedIn revealed that 86% of respondents consider it’s acceptable to go away a position inside 18 months, with over half having done it themselves.
This may occasionally come as a surprise to those of us who’ve been a part of the workforce for a while now, however it’s a trend that’s turn into prevalent amongst millennials and Gen Z. Last 12 months, 22% of staff aged 20 and above spent a 12 months or less of their job.
Is job hopping bad?
Job hopping actually has its advantages. Whether it’s finding recent learning opportunities or a rise in pay, you’ll have your reasons for in search of a brand new role. Although changing jobs incessantly could be a red flag to some employers, the stigma isn’t as widespread because it once was. There’s long been an understanding in tech that folks are rejecting the “job for all times”, and it’s a mindset that’s becoming more common – and accepted – elsewhere.
There’s actually a downside, though. Leaving jobs incessantly implies that you’re less experienced in tackling various kinds of challenges, and are less more likely to have accomplished projects or campaigns that may profit your profession.
Meanwhile, a hiring manager may wonder if they’ll must undergo the recruitment, onboarding and training process again ahead of they’d like. Nonetheless, there are definitely ways to elucidate job hopping that may let your interviewer know you’re right for this role.
Find out how to explain job hopping in an interview
The important thing to making sure that your interviewer has the precise perception of you is in the way in which you frame your profession decisions. Profession coach Sarah Doody points out that leaving jobs recurrently will be portrayed as a great thing: “I feel it would actually make you come across as a more strategic, thoughtful, mindful individual quite than simply coasting along for an additional nine months.”
There may, in fact, be instances where you didn’t select to go away, but were as an alternative fired on made redundant. If asked about any such example, don’t shrink back. That is an amazing opportunity to elucidate the situation and, as my colleague, Jane McNeill, writes here, you possibly can still discuss your successes and what you gained from the role. Make sure that that you just discuss those achievements in a quantifiable way that may reiterate what you possibly can bring to a brand new employer.
Lastly, all the time make sure you mention the abilities you’ve gained in recent roles and the way they are going to profit you on this position. In this case, you possibly can highlight soft skills akin to adaptability and having a learning mindset.
Listed here are some examples of questions on job hopping that you just may be asked in an interview, and how one can answer:
Query: “Why have you ever modified jobs so incessantly?”
Answer: “I’ve modified jobs incessantly because I’ve looked for brand spanking new challenges and opportunities for growth. This has given me invaluable experience and skills that I can bring to this position, akin to X and Y.”
Query: “Why are you leaving your current job after only X period of time?”
Answer 1: “I’ve realised that my current role isn’t the precise fit for me since I’m in search of growth and learning opportunities which, unfortunately, are limited here. That’s why I’m in search of an employer that aligns higher with my profession goals and provides the support I’m in search of.”
Answer 2: “My company is undergoing significant change which has affected my role. I’m not going to give you the chance to contribute my former responsibilities and projects as I’d hoped, so I’m in search of opportunities where I could make an actual impact and grow professionally.”
Answer 3: “My company’s needed to make a series of budget cuts, and my role was made redundant. I’m pleased with what I achieved, including X and Y, and I kept up thus far on the most recent trends and developments within the industry.”
There are some questions, though, that may require more creativity in your part. As I discussed above, an interviewer may be sceptical of what you’ve learned from any difficult moments or challenges in case you change jobs incessantly. They may also query your ability to see the “larger picture” in case you don’t loaf around long enough to get exposure to this. Be prepared to handle these concerns.
What to recollect when explaining job hopping in an interview
In case your interviewer enquires about job hopping, there are several ways to border your decisions. Be honest about your reasons for leaving each job, deal with the abilities and experience you gained, and avoid speaking negatively about previous employers. By doing so, you’ll give yourself the perfect probability of landing the role.
