Comments on: Job hopping: How much is too much? http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/14/reader-asks-about-job-hopping-how-much-is-too-much/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:14:08 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: William http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/14/reader-asks-about-job-hopping-how-much-is-too-much/comment-page-2/#comment-212197 William Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:35:52 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/14/reader-asks-about-job-hopping-how-much-is-too-much/#comment-212197 I've been seen as a chronic job hopper. My first position, while attending college full-time, I worked 4 years and was promoted from an admin asst to a program manager, and had a great manager who knew what managing means (being a leader as well as a mentor). My agency was consolidated into another agency, and I was thrown into the lovely workforce. I spent 8 months at a company as a glorified admin with a horrible manager, so I left to another company that was relocating to another state. I was there 8 months when my manager I was hired under decided not to make the move, and was put under a manager who had no clue what our department did (I took over the duties of my manager without the pay or title change). I was headhunted by another company that would pay me more than 20% more than I made, so after pleading my case for a promotion (turned down due to budget concerns), I left to the new company. I stayed there 13 months with the worst manager ever (the micro-manager who takes credit for your ideas and never seems to have anything on his plate), so I left and am now at my current position for 16 months. 4 years, 8 months, 8 months, 13 months, and 16 months, moving from an Administrative Asst to now a Sr. Business Analyst and increasing my pay by 32% in the past 3 years. Sad thing is, if you stayed at the same company you may get the 3% raise every year. My current position is not challenging, and everyone in my company has been here 15 years so there isn't much growth (even though I was told there was great growth in the company), so I am wanting to look for another job. However, I am seen as a job-hopper no matter how I put my resume (one recruiter after badgering me, I finally told her I was spoiled by having a mentor rather than a manager, and have had just horrible managers since. I didn't get the position but I finally was able to tell the truth). How do some people get into management is what I want to know? I've been seen as a chronic job hopper. My first position, while attending college full-time, I worked 4 years and was promoted from an admin asst to a program manager, and had a great manager who knew what managing means (being a leader as well as a mentor). My agency was consolidated into another agency, and I was thrown into the lovely workforce. I spent 8 months at a company as a glorified admin with a horrible manager, so I left to another company that was relocating to another state. I was there 8 months when my manager I was hired under decided not to make the move, and was put under a manager who had no clue what our department did (I took over the duties of my manager without the pay or title change). I was headhunted by another company that would pay me more than 20% more than I made, so after pleading my case for a promotion (turned down due to budget concerns), I left to the new company. I stayed there 13 months with the worst manager ever (the micro-manager who takes credit for your ideas and never seems to have anything on his plate), so I left and am now at my current position for 16 months. 4 years, 8 months, 8 months, 13 months, and 16 months, moving from an Administrative Asst to now a Sr. Business Analyst and increasing my pay by 32% in the past 3 years. Sad thing is, if you stayed at the same company you may get the 3% raise every year. My current position is not challenging, and everyone in my company has been here 15 years so there isn't much growth (even though I was told there was great growth in the company), so I am wanting to look for another job. However, I am seen as a job-hopper no matter how I put my resume (one recruiter after badgering me, I finally told her I was spoiled by having a mentor rather than a manager, and have had just horrible managers since. I didn't get the position but I finally was able to tell the truth). How do some people get into management is what I want to know?

]]> By: JobHopper http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/14/reader-asks-about-job-hopping-how-much-is-too-much/comment-page-2/#comment-193229 JobHopper Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:57:34 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/14/reader-asks-about-job-hopping-how-much-is-too-much/#comment-193229 I jobhopped a few times in the last few years, but now can't find any job in my field of marketing! What should I do? I jobhopped a few times in the last few years, but now can't find any job in my field of marketing! What should I do?

]]> By: Starr Lara http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/14/reader-asks-about-job-hopping-how-much-is-too-much/comment-page-2/#comment-190709 Starr Lara Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:49:38 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/14/reader-asks-about-job-hopping-how-much-is-too-much/#comment-190709 Hello, Be careful what you think about job hoppers. I held only two jobs for the 1st 17 years of my career. I stayed at the 1st job longer than anyone in that office. They had a revolving door of supervisors and employees as they were very strict and bullish to their employees. I outlasted them all. Even then, I didn't quit. I was laid off when a computer upgrade eliminated all I did, and it was a small company. The next job, that I held for 7 years, I didn't quit either. It went bankrupt after 45 years in business. After that, since 1998, I've had the unfortunate luck of lasting only two years at the most at a position. Three positions lasted two years, the others a year. One of those went bankrupt. The others eliminated my position, as they were small struggling companies. I was taught before that to look at people like you do, that they are not good employees if they don't stay at a job for a long time. Now I'm having to eat my words. I am now viewed the same way as I used to view applicants when they didn't stay at a position very long. To sum it all up, I've not quit a job in over 20 years. Through no fault of my own, I end up being laid off. Please look more kindly on resumes. There can be some very legitimate reasons why a person is not at a job that long. It's pretty hard to stay when the companies go bankrupt and the doors are closed. There but by the grace of God go thee. Starr Hello,

Be careful what you think about job hoppers. I held only two jobs for the 1st 17 years of my career. I stayed at the 1st job longer than anyone in that office. They had a revolving door of supervisors and employees as they were very strict and bullish to their employees. I outlasted them all. Even then, I didn't quit. I was laid off when a computer upgrade eliminated all I did, and it was a small company.

The next job, that I held for 7 years, I didn't quit either. It went bankrupt after 45 years in business.

After that, since 1998, I've had the unfortunate luck of lasting only two years at the most at a position. Three positions lasted two years, the others a year. One of those went bankrupt. The others eliminated my position, as they were small struggling companies.

I was taught before that to look at people like you do, that they are not good employees if they don't stay at a job for a long time. Now I'm having to eat my words. I am now viewed the same way as I used to view applicants when they didn't stay at a position very long.

To sum it all up, I've not quit a job in over 20 years. Through no fault of my own, I end up being laid off. Please look more kindly on resumes. There can be some very legitimate reasons why a person is not at a job that long. It's pretty hard to stay when the companies go bankrupt and the doors are closed.

There but by the grace of God go thee.
Starr

]]> By: Starr Lara http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/14/reader-asks-about-job-hopping-how-much-is-too-much/comment-page-2/#comment-190708 Starr Lara Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:38:07 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/14/reader-asks-about-job-hopping-how-much-is-too-much/#comment-190708 Hello Everyone, Regarding job hopping, I held two jobs only for the first 17 years of my career, one for 7 years, and one for 10 years. The first one, the company went bankrupt, and the second company had a computer upgrade that eliminated everything I was doing. I've lived on the same street for the last 25 years, and I've been married for 29 years, so I am a loyal person and a stable person. It just seems that since 1998, I have a knack for finding companies that are going through bankrupty, growing pains, or financial instability of some sort. I end up being laid off. I had three jobs that I was at for 2 years, and then the rest were a year or one was for eight months. What can I do to attract a manager to call me? I had one recruiter tell me that I looked like a job hopper on my resume. How do I overcome this? Thanks, Starr Hello Everyone,

Regarding job hopping, I held two jobs only for the first 17 years of my career, one for 7 years, and one for 10 years. The first one, the company went bankrupt, and the second company had a computer upgrade that eliminated everything I was doing.

I've lived on the same street for the last 25 years, and I've been married for 29 years, so I am a loyal person and a stable person.

It just seems that since 1998, I have a knack for finding companies that are going through bankrupty, growing pains, or financial instability of some sort. I end up being laid off. I had three jobs that I was at for 2 years, and then the rest were a year or one was for eight months.

What can I do to attract a manager to call me? I had one recruiter tell me that I looked like a job hopper on my resume. How do I overcome this?

Thanks,
Starr

]]> By: Susan http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/14/reader-asks-about-job-hopping-how-much-is-too-much/comment-page-2/#comment-188802 Susan Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:58:48 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/14/reader-asks-about-job-hopping-how-much-is-too-much/#comment-188802 I posted to this in 2007, and have since stopped 'job hopping'. In the position I'm in now, I brought skills and life experiences to my position that were exactly what my employer was looking for. I'm now in a career field that is wonderful, challenging, amazing, fulfilling, and always changing! My advice to all the other job hoppers out there...you will one day find that 'niche' job that keeps you in the money and will keep you challenged and fulfilled. I know that I was surprised when i did!!! I posted to this in 2007, and have since stopped 'job hopping'. In the position I'm in now, I brought skills and life experiences to my position that were exactly what my employer was looking for. I'm now in a career field that is wonderful, challenging, amazing, fulfilling, and always changing!
My advice to all the other job hoppers out there…you will one day find that 'niche' job that keeps you in the money and will keep you challenged and fulfilled. I know that I was surprised when i did!!!

]]> By: Marista Grey http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/14/reader-asks-about-job-hopping-how-much-is-too-much/comment-page-2/#comment-185955 Marista Grey Tue, 19 May 2009 18:38:49 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/14/reader-asks-about-job-hopping-how-much-is-too-much/#comment-185955 I understand what you said about investing in someone for three months by training that individual, but what if no training has been done and this individua;l is frustrated? I think job-hopping is a positive thing because in a way, it maintains your passion. These changes would enable your learning curve to behigh and freshly challenged. It also helps to build your professional network and it is coupled with high performance. I understand what you said about investing in someone for three months by training that individual, but what if no training has been done and this individua;l is frustrated? I think job-hopping is a positive thing because in a way, it maintains your passion. These changes would enable your learning curve to behigh and freshly challenged. It also helps to build your professional network and it is coupled with high performance.

]]> By: Michael’s Blog » Blog Archive » 10 jobs in 15 years http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/14/reader-asks-about-job-hopping-how-much-is-too-much/comment-page-2/#comment-184329 Michael’s Blog » Blog Archive » 10 jobs in 15 years Tue, 21 Apr 2009 01:37:07 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/14/reader-asks-about-job-hopping-how-much-is-too-much/#comment-184329 [...] In reflection, I guess this does make me look like a bit of a job hopper. [...] [...] In reflection, I guess this does make me look like a bit of a job hopper. [...]

]]> By: Millennials in the Newsroom | Jaclyn Schiff http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/14/reader-asks-about-job-hopping-how-much-is-too-much/comment-page-1/#comment-183183 Millennials in the Newsroom | Jaclyn Schiff Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:42:55 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/14/reader-asks-about-job-hopping-how-much-is-too-much/#comment-183183 [...] addition, the expansion of online news is also catering to Gen Y’s job-hopping tendencies. New positions are popping up in many companies that are launching or expanding Web [...] [...] addition, the expansion of online news is also catering to Gen Y’s job-hopping tendencies. New positions are popping up in many companies that are launching or expanding Web [...]

]]> By: Joe http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/14/reader-asks-about-job-hopping-how-much-is-too-much/comment-page-1/#comment-182745 Joe Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:25:28 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/14/reader-asks-about-job-hopping-how-much-is-too-much/#comment-182745 There's a fine between frequent career advancement and job-hopping. In this fast-paced work environment, you can almost become a "veteran" just two years into your job because of the high turnover. There are many occassions where changing organizations after two or three years may be necessary in order to obtain the career advancement you desire. On the same token, I don't know of that many younger people in this day in age that have not experienced some type of layoff that will require them to seek a new career elsewhere. I've always perceived "job-hopping" as simply ditching your job every few months simply because you don't like it, you hate your manager, you don't like the hours, or for whatever personal reason that cannot cater to your personal needs at that moment in time. I talked to an older gentleman in his 80's recently who even acknowledged that us "kids" need to keep our eyes open for better opportunities when they arise. He was with Sears for 40 years, but he retired years ago. Those of us in our 30s and up have parents/grandparents that came from a completely different generation where the workforce was comprised of people who simply accepted the notion that the company you went to work for once you graduated from college was the company you would stay with until the day you retired. Today's businesses operate much differently as well and even the ones that have been around for decades don't operate the way the did fifty years ago. It's not impossible to stay with one company a long time today, but you could be missing out on big opportunities elsewhere. There's a fine between frequent career advancement and job-hopping. In this fast-paced work environment, you can almost become a "veteran" just two years into your job because of the high turnover. There are many occassions where changing organizations after two or three years may be necessary in order to obtain the career advancement you desire. On the same token, I don't know of that many younger people in this day in age that have not experienced some type of layoff that will require them to seek a new career elsewhere.
I've always perceived "job-hopping" as simply ditching your job every few months simply because you don't like it, you hate your manager, you don't like the hours, or for whatever personal reason that cannot cater to your personal needs at that moment in time. I talked to an older gentleman in his 80's recently who even acknowledged that us "kids" need to keep our eyes open for better opportunities when they arise. He was with Sears for 40 years, but he retired years ago. Those of us in our 30s and up have parents/grandparents that came from a completely different generation where the workforce was comprised of people who simply accepted the notion that the company you went to work for once you graduated from college was the company you would stay with until the day you retired. Today's businesses operate much differently as well and even the ones that have been around for decades don't operate the way the did fifty years ago. It's not impossible to stay with one company a long time today, but you could be missing out on big opportunities elsewhere.

]]> By: Avinesh http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/14/reader-asks-about-job-hopping-how-much-is-too-much/comment-page-1/#comment-181486 Avinesh Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:29:28 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/02/14/reader-asks-about-job-hopping-how-much-is-too-much/#comment-181486 I think that job hopping can be dangerous especially if you are doing it for a long. When you are young that is between 20 to 30 then it maybe fine. Once you reach a certain age like 30 and above, then you should be try and find a company that you are comfortable in and would like to stay til you retire. You will need to think about your pension as every time you move your money does not grow. Also when you job hop please ensure that you leave the company on a good note as references are very important. I think that job hopping can be dangerous especially if you are doing it for a long. When you are young that is between 20 to 30 then it maybe fine. Once you reach a certain age like 30 and above, then you should be try and find a company that you are comfortable in and would like to stay til you retire. You will need to think about your pension as every time you move your money does not grow.
Also when you job hop please ensure that you leave the company on a good note as references are very important.

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