Job-Hopping Less a Resume Concern than It Used To Be

Job-hopping is far less a concern than it was just a few years ago. Mature job-seekers will remember a time when long-time company loyalty was expected. Those days are gone. Workers at all levels stay at their jobs for much shorter periods than they used to. That’s not to say that job-hopping is no longer questioned. Very short, frequent job stints can certainly raise eyebrows. A chrono-functional resume will deemphasize job-hopping but comes with its own significant drawbacks. Another choice is to omit jobs of short duration. In these days of background checks, however, your omission can be risky. Most hiring decision-makers we’ve surveyed emphasize that nothing should be left off because jobs you’ve omitted will be discovered eventually in the vetting process, and you’ll be eliminated. It’s best to list everything, but make a strong case for your qualifications in your cover letter and top third of your resume so that you get called for an interview. Then be prepared to explain and put a positive spin on problematic or short-duration jobs face to face. Read more in our Frequently Asked Questions About Resumes: The Complete Resume FAQ.