Is job hopping bad for your CV?

The time when an employee stayed loyal to the same organisation throughout his entire career is long gone. You too will undoubtedly have changed employer at some point. But many employers still see changing jobs as a negative thing. They often do not want to invest a lot of energy and time in an employee who is unlikely to stay for long.

Is job hopping really that bad for your CV? How do you explain to a potential employer that you have already changed jobs several times? And how do you convince them to give you a fair chance? Staffing specialist Walters People gives some important advice to job hoppers on how to still make a good impression.

Be transparent

There is still a lot of prejudice against employees who change jobs frequently. They are said to be money-minded or unreliable. In order to increase your chances of finding a new job, and to eliminate these prejudices, it is necessary to keep a few things in mind. First of all, be honest. Indicate on your CV exactly which companies you have already worked for and what your functions were. During your first interview, you will definitely be asked about your professional past. So make sure you can explain why you left at the time of each work experience.

Tell your story

In addition, try to outline your personal situation. If you are a graduate or a freelancer who has taken on numerous temporary jobs in a short space of time, it is logical that you have changed employer regularly. Everyone has their own story, so tell yours and make sure you can properly justify why you 'switched'.

Know the added value of your work experiences

Working for different organisations is not necessarily a disadvantage. Convince the employer that your aim was to gain as much relevant work experience as possible. Make sure you can explain the added value of each work experience before a job interview. What exactly did you learn there? How did it help you in your personal development? If you prepare this well, you avoid giving the employer the impression that you are only after a higher salary or a better status.

Place jobs under one category

If you have done several jobs in the same sector during a short period of time, you can also group them on your CV. Do mention the companies you have worked for, but you don't need to write down your complete range of tasks. This way you save space on your CV and the list of employers looks less extreme.

Don't take it out on your previous employer

Don't get defensive when a recruiter starts talking about your choices. This sounds quite logical, but many candidates look for different excuses or blame someone else. After all, they want to make a good impression. However, it is a better idea to take responsibility for your own actions, without lashing out at your previous employer.

Positive experience

There is no shame in having changed jobs a few times. In some ways, it even makes you more attractive than applicants who have been stuck with the same employer in the same job for years. For instance, you can adapt more quickly. Undoubtedly, each work experience - however short - has taught you certain things. In this way, you discover what suits you and you can expand your network. If you take the above tips into account, regularly update your CV and properly prepare for your next job interview, there are plenty of opportunities.

Changing too much is disadvantageous

Beware: changing jobs all the time without a good reason does not have a positive impact on your candidature. It can lead recruiters to consider you an unfaithful employee. Changing jobs is certainly possible, but as with everything: don't overdo it.

Ready for a new challenge?

Check out our latest jobs or contact one of our offices.

Regretting your job choice? This is how you deal with it...

Whether you are a starter or a more experienced professional, regretting your job choice is always possible. Walters People shares some tips on how to deal with this and avoid further disappointment.
Be sure to bring these items to your job interview

There are a few essential items to bring to your next job interview. Stephanie Cnops explains.
Six signs it's time to change jobs

Is your motivation dwindling at work? Your interests and goals naturally change over time, but how do you know if you’re ready for a job change? Here are a few indicators that it might be time for you to make your move.
How to boost your internal profile

Are you starting to feel like you are ready for the next career opportunity, or would like more responsibility in your position? These quick and easy tips will boost your internal profile and help progress your career.
Talking about your weaknesses in a job interview... here’s how!

During the first job interview, you are often asked about your weaknesses. For many, this is a difficult question to answer. What is the best way to talk about your work points during a job interview? Staffing specialist Walters People gives some tips.