Years ago, too many job changes over a certain period of time (often referred to as “job hopping”) may have been a red flag to hiring managers. Many employers question whether it is a good idea to hire a job hopper, because it raises concerns of whether the candidate would have enough loyalty and dedication to the company. But the world is an ever-changing place, and job hopping is becoming a lot more common, particularly among millennials (workers between the ages of 18 and 34). As a result, many hiring managers today have developed a more positive attitude towards hiring job hoppers.
The staffing agency Accountemps recently performed a survey revealing that 57% of millennials believe changing jobs often is beneficial to your career. Another recent study done by LinkedIn states that most millennial workers are expected to change jobs at least 4 times by the time they reach age 32. Here are some of the benefits you will receive if you hire a job hopper:
1) They Produce Excellent Results
When you see lots of job hopping on a candidate’s resume, the first question you should ask is why these job changes took place. Many job hoppers have switched jobs so many times because they are high performers with excellent ideas and as a result they have been given better opportunities. If you hire a job hopper, you are likely to get an ambitious employee who is the farthest thing from complacent.
2) They are Easier (And Cheaper) to Train
Job hoppers are quick learners, so your company is likely to save time and money on training if you hire a job hopper. Also, since job hoppers may not remain at your company for a particularly long period of time, they won’t necessarily take advantage of certain company benefits, which will also give your business a financial advantage.
3) They Bring a Wealth of Insight and Experience
Because of the different roles they have had, hiring job hoppers comes with the advantage of deep industry knowledge and insight into the way business is conducted across multiple departments and companies. Hiring job hoppers can result in valuable wisdom that gives you an edge over your competitors, as well as improvements in your business processes.
4) They are Excellent Team Players
If you hire a job hopper, you are bringing someone on board that has worked with all kinds of different people and possesses a high level of emotional intelligence. So they are likely to fit right in and work well with other employees at your company.
5) They are Flexible
Job hoppers bring strong problem solving skills and their initiative to move up rapidly in their career shows they aren’t afraid of change. If you hire a job hopper you are more likely to have an employee that can go with the flow and tackle any challenge that comes their way.
6) They Possess a Highly Developed Skillset
At every job they held, job hoppers hone new skills that further their career and open up more opportunities. Even if your new hire doesn’t remain at your company for an extended period of time, their skills are likely to bring success to your company in an impressively short period of time.
Author: Jessica Cody
Jessica Cody, a native of Fairfield County, Connecticut, has a background in online marketing and public relations. Currently, she works at VHMNetwork LLC in the role of Marketing Analyst. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut, where she studied Journalism and Political Science. She is also an avid runner with a passion for the outdoors.
