If you have changed jobs a number of times after relatively short stints, recruiters and employers may look upon you as a job hopper. What that means is that your work history does not show either a clear record of longevity and loyalty to one company or an orderly progression.
Companies tend not to look favorably upon job hoppers. If you think about it, it is not a good idea for them to employ people who might be leaving after a few months. First, companies spend a considerable amount of time and money hiring and training people. If someone leaves quickly after being hired, the company simply has to spend the money and time all over again. Second, many companies want someone who will give them good retention rates – being around a long time. You are not likely to do that if you follow a job hopper pattern.
That said, there are ways to get hired if you have the skills and qualifications needed. You need a strong resume that maximizes your potential contributions and minimizes any possibility that you might leave. Here’s how:
1. Have a Strong Summary State on Your Resume
Summary statements are the short paragraphs that appear on the top of resumes. One sentence gives your brand selling point, such as “Top-notch warehouse employee with proven efficiency and team-player attitude.”
If you have a strong statement like this, it provides employers with a road map to how they can make use of your skills and what you are looking for. It also tends to remove the focus from short stints on your resume.
2. Combine Jobs If Possible
Recruiters and hiring managers both tend to look at the years you have held jobs. You want to minimize the number of jobs that show up with very short spans. One way is to look for opportunities to combine jobs.
This is relatively easy if you have worked as a temp or a contractor. The temp agency or contractor title can be a heading, under which you place the multiple tasks you did while employed for the agency or under that title. You can also do it if you worked with jobs with very similar titles. Group employment with similar titles under one heading.
3. Make Your Contributions Clear
In today’s world, employers like contributions not just named on a resume, but made clear. That often means metricizing them or itemizing any praise or accolades you may have received.
In other words, do not stop at saying “five years of experience in operating warehouse supply equipment.” If a team you were on won praise for exceeding goals by 15 percent, be sure to put that fact on your resume. If you won “employee of the month” at some point, add that as well.
4. If Job Hopping Was Involuntary, Mention It
Sometimes, people only last a short time at jobs through no fault of their own. In certain industries, layoffs or staff reductions are common. Sometimes, entire departments or companies go out of business. If you worked as a seasonal worker, it could be the job(s) were only planned to last a few months.
Add brief phrases if any of those situations, or others making the job’s duration short, apply to you.
A Staffing Agency That Works for You
Presenting your experience and qualifications in the best way possible is crucial to a job search. For more tips on how to develop a resume if you have had short stints at past jobs, contact Nesco Resource today.
