Results from Beyond’s recent national survey say 71% of HR professionals are not willing to hire job hoppers. But what is a job hopper anyway? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average professional switches jobs once every three to four years. So any applicant who has changed employers more than that is likely to be critically viewed as a job hopper by recruiters.
However, a great number of short term work experiences does not necessarily have to be a warning sign. Job hoppers may be more versatile with clearer life goals which also makes them attractive professionals for any company. According to Joe Weinlick, Vice President of Marketing for Beyond, having a lot of experience can be an asset if you know how to structure your resume and pay close attention to how you present your experience. On the other hand, employers do fear a lack of reliability and loyalty with such profiles.