What To Know Before Hiring a Job-Hopper

Employment history is one of the most prominent items on a candidate’s resume. You can learn a lot about someone’s experience by looking at the kinds of jobs they’ve had, as well as how long they were at each one. For some employers, an applicant’s employment history can also reveal a major red flag: job-hopping. However, like all parts of your hiring process, you should take this warning sign with a grain of salt. In today’s job market, any employment gaps on resumes could be a sign of overcoming adversity rather than proving unreliable for a job. Unsure what to do with the job-hopper in your list of top candidates? Here’s what to know before hiring a job-hopper.

Why Do People Job Hop?

Once upon a time, job-hopping signified a lack of dependability. In the best-case scenario, a job-hopper was someone who was still finding themselves and determining where they fit in their career. The worst-case scenario, on the other hand, likely meant an applicant lost a lot of jobs due to poor work ethic or other issues. For these reasons, most employers decide to steer clear of job-hoppers. These days, more and more companies are starting to accept these types of candidates. With today’s job market, there are more understandable reasons as to why people job-hop, such as seeking better compensation or outgrowing the company you start with. That’s why employers must weigh the following pros and cons before making their final decision about job-hopping candidates.

Cons of Hiring a Job-Hopper

Job-hopping candidates won’t always fit in with your business. If your team relies on a low turnover rate and long-lasting employees, you should be wary of any applicant who hasn’t stayed at a company for more than a year. Also, take a deeper look at the types of jobs your candidate has in their history. If each role is vastly different from the last, you might be looking at a career-hopper. While these individuals could have a broad range of skills and experience, they’re less likely to have the specific qualifications your company needs. Finally, pay attention to reference checks. If your candidate left their old jobs on bad terms, there might be a more serious problem going on.

Pros of Hiring a Job-Hopper

If your candidate has valid reasons for changing jobs so frequently, there might be several benefits to hiring a job-hopper over other applicants. Job-hoppers have the chance to gather a wide range of perspectives, backgrounds, and skills that they can bring to your table. They’ve also proven themselves in the face of adversity. After all, starting a new job is difficult, no matter who you are. Furthermore, job-hoppers are often quick to adapt to new environments, teams, and challenges. They can be excellent self-starters who are eager to jump in and learn something new for their role.

Now that you have everything you need to know before hiring a job-hopper, make sure you look at the candidate’s work history within the context of everything else you learn about them. Gain the information you need about your candidates with PSI Background Screening. Executive background screening, employment and education verification, and other services allow you to weigh the pros and cons of job hopping to make a fair and informed decision about each new hire.