Reconsidering Job Hoppers

A March 2018 entrepreneur.com article stated, “For years, employers have been fighting against job-hopping, and looking for ways to retain talent for the long haul. Even so, employees continue to jump from one job to the next. In fact, the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that between ages 18 and 28, millennials held an average of 7.2 jobs. In comparison, baby boomers held an average of 11.9 jobs from age 18 to age 50.”

Is it a red flag when employees jump from job to job? It could be, but this isn’t always the case. Job hoppers are typically seen as disloyal and unreliable, but after reading those statistics, it doesn’t appear that loyal employees are too common anymore. Before tossing job hopper resumes in the automatic ‘no’ pile, it may be worth your while to hear their story first, especially in the current job market where candidates are scarce.

Here are 5 reasons why hiring a job hopper could work in your favor:

Hungry for Success

Check to see if the job hopper is climbing the ladder each time they get a new position or if they’re just taking any old job. If the candidate is leaving each job to better their career, it shows they’re ambitious and motivated, which are traits you should want for your team. If you have room for advancement in your organization, this kind of job hopper will be hardworking, always reaching to be better. This also shows that they like a challenge. Certain job hoppers enjoy being busy and challenged, and aren’t going to stay in a job just because it’s comfortable and easy.

Extremely Adaptable

Change is constant in today’s workforce, and this is something job hoppers handle better than most. After starting fresh at multiple jobs in only a few years, these candidates are extremely flexible and used to learning things quickly. They won’t need the intricate training that someone who has been set in their ways for 10+ years in only one role would need.

Huge Network

After working many jobs, job hoppers may “know a guy” or two. They have a lot of professional connections, which can also come in handy for your organization. They could even have the inside scoop on your competition.

Experienced the good (and the bad)

Job hoppers have a good sense of what works and what doesn’t in a workplace. Being a new employee a few times, they have made their fair share of mistakes and learned from them. They have also experienced various types of management styles and know how to deal with them, which makes things operate a lot smoother for everyone.

Not Much Competition

Most employers won’t even give job hoppers the time of day. If the candidate turns out to be a good fit, it’s not likely they will have other offers pending. This could mean less negotiations and a cheaper hire for your company.

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