Photo by Javier Allegue Barros on Unsplash
When I first started recruiting, I was handed a resume and was asked “What do you notice?”. One of the first things I pointed out was the dates, and how long the candidate had been working in their current position. I witnessed similar observations from peers and even friends ‘fine-tuning’ their own resumes. This indicated to me that one thing mostly everyone seems to observe on a resume are the dates, maybe it is because this is most relatable. As a recruiter I’ve come to realize these dates tell a story on their own in relation to job tenure, career changes, personal and/or professional growth—or lack thereof. Typically, too much job movement appears as a negative.
Multiple positions held in a short time can pose a red flag to employers. Being “job hoppy” is a term used in the recruiting industry—this relates to lack of tenure with any one company. When a candidate is job hoppy, oftentimes they are not excelling up a career ladder, but rather taking similar positions with different companies. For example, “Sales Rep” for company A, “Sales Rep” for company B and C, but never a “Sales Manager”. This is also important to consider when accepting and applying for new positions, the goal is for career growth!
As a recruiter, screening questions are almost always related to job tenure and movement. Hiring managers and recruiters are curious why the candidate is looking for a new role, if they quit or were fired from previous positions, and why? These questions are important to hiring managers to minimize their risk of potentially hiring that person themselves. Time, money, and effort is invested into hiring, so the company wants longevity in their new hire.
Career change is natural, but too much too often may be a risk for new employers. When changing careers, there are many things to consider, including how this change could affect other career changes down the road. The dates on your resume paint a picture for hiring managers and movement matters. If you have questions on how your resume may be perceived you can always ask your recruiter for feedback.
Written by: Emily Onheiser, Senior Search Consultant at Hunter Crown, LLC
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