Most resume readers and HR personnel regard frequent job hopping as a sign of poor decision making. This perception, however, may be too simplistic, and attitudes are beginning to shift. According to Bo Le Associates, job hopping can sometimes be a positive sign of entrepreneurial drive. As the nature of employment shifts due to an increase in factors such as lay-offs and salary freezes, ambitious employees are having to look elsewhere for new challenges and career advancements.
With a higher number of jobs on a resume can also come a wider range of skills and contacts. As the economy continues to globalise, it’s crucial for senior executives and company leaders to be diverse in their skill sets. A study by the Harvard Business Review found that 49% of CEOs in both Europe and Asia have experience in multiple industries.
But job hoppers should still be wary, warns Bo Le. Job hopping can be beneficial as long as it is in pursuit of an upward career trajectory, but in 40% of job changes, the end result is a lateral move. A further 20% of hops are actually demotions. While resume diversity can be a positive quality, employees and employers both need to exercise caution when considering a trend of job hopping.
Paul Arkwright
Publisher
