What is your list of job titles saying *for you*?
Jobseekers are changing jobs more today than they did just 10 years ago. Some experts speculate it’s about every 2-4 years. An increase in average number of jobs held is making it difficult for hiring managers to interpret a candidate’s full skill set because of the distraction between quantity of positions versus quality of positions.
A sizable list of jobs within any resume is perceived a certain way by those who hire. Keep in mind the average resume is between 1-2 pages. Space is limited. Does a lengthy list of jobs make you look like a job hopper, for example? Maybe someone who can’t commit?
Look at job quantity from the other side of the hiring desk. Hiring is expensive; and as companies continuously research, analyze, and implement strategies to improve costs, you bet reducing employee turnover and retaining great employees is a prime focus.
With this said, readers of your resume might be wondering, “Why the continued change in job roles? Does he quit often? Was he fired once or twice? Why didn’t former employers successfully keep him?” Good questions. Questions however that you might not get to answer if the reader is negatively distracted by the quantity of jobs spanning the last few years of your career.
Now more than ever, it’s important to make slow and calculated decisions when it comes to job change. No one can afford to make a bad job move, only to find themselves unexpectedly back on the job market too soon.
It’s estimated 15M are unemployed, with record numbers of those experiencing long-term joblessness. My advice lately in fact has been jobseekers should stay put, avoiding the open job market if humanly possible.
We all want to avoid unnecessary job changes, which in turn, add line items to our resumes, am I right?
Here are some thoughts on doing just that …
1) Remain with employers for a minimum of 2 years, preferably sticking it out even when the job doesn’t turn out exactly as you’d hoped. Have you heard the saying, “you’ve made your bed now lay in it”? Yes, not the smoothest medicine to swallow, I’m sorry, but it’s important to remain steady and not be hasty or erratic at the sign of job trouble.
Instead of quitting or jumping ship, and presuming the company isn’t about to go belly-up, maybe there’s a less invasive alternative?
Maybe you can change positions, but stay with the same employer?
Maybe you can ask for different/additional job responsibilities?
Maybe you’re experiencing a rough patch that will pass with time and patience?
Keep in mind too that an impending boss change can benefit your situation … and if your current boss has been with the company for a few years, well, enough said. =] If so, his job change could save you an uncomfortable job-search.
2) Be proactive, rather than reactive. Another words, do the necessary research before accepting any role [proactive] so you don’t find yourself abruptly back on the job market [reactive]. Know the whos, whats, wheres, and whens before accepting any new role. Companies ask for 3rd, 4th, and 5th interviews [and more sometimes], so ask to meet with your expected boss to further discuss the position, identify your match for the position, and so on.
Just a sampling of questions to ask and get answered:
What will be consuming my time?
Who will I be working with/reporting to?
What current problems exist within the department?
What does the company expect from me?
What measurement of success will you use to determine my value to the team, department, bottom-line?
Final “Food “for thought: How would you apply hiring dollars? On a candidate who changes positions every 24-48 months, or one who possesses a committed record of employment? When a large number of job titles covering a short period of time is perceived negatively, it can adversely effect one’s job-search and career.
Copyright 2008, Teena Rose, All Rights Reserved
[Originally Written October 2008; Revised and Updated September 2009]
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