Last month, I met my friend for coffee, where I was introduced to a popular term used in the world of HR: frequent applier. My friend, let’s call her Joy, is the head of hiring at a DC-based consulting firm where she often receives resumes from “frequent appliers,” or applicants who’ve held multiple jobs over a short span of time and apply to a series of new roles in rapid succession. This practice is more commonly known as job hopping.
How to Explain Job Hopping in an Interview
Use your resume as a roadmap to explain your values and decision-making to future employers.
September 02, 2024
HBR Staff/Nisian Hughes/Lawrence Manning/mycola/Getty Images
Summary.
As job hopping becomes more common and less stigmatized, why do some hiring managers (and media outlets) still perpetuate the stereotype that millennial and Gen Z workers are disloyal to their organizations? When we look closely at the motivators behind job hopping, there are several factors to consider — beyond disloyalty. Since the pandemic, work-life balance, mental health, flexibility, and competitive salaries are top-of mind for young workers. If you’re one of the many job hoppers struggling to explain the multiple roles you’ve held in the past, there are a few ways to approach this predicament. Should a potential employer ask about the “job hopping” areas of your resume, try to think of it as an opportunity. It’s a chance to help your interviewer better understand your motivations while highlighting what you’re looking for long term.