Job hoppers worry potential employers

March 29 2001 - There are signs that potential employers are becoming cautious about hiring job hoppers - those with a pattern of changing jobs every year or so.

Jerry Weinger, chairman of Bernard Haldane Associates ( http://www.bernardhaldane.com says that job seekers need to be able to demonstrate a strong record of success in the down economy. Weinger points to a number of signals that are especially worrying to potential employers, including resumes listing positions that indicate backwards career steps, repeated lateral moves, or changes that look like a digression.

"Our booming economy enticed many people into job hopping," says Weinger. "But as the job market tightens, they will be forced to justify the high turnover on their resumes."

Weinger advises job-seekers to look for signs of concern from the interviewer. For example, watch out for questions such as: "why didn't you pursue that project for longer," or "I see you earned your degree in a different field; why didn't you go into that?"

Weinger lists the following tips:

* Put together an accomplishment-oriented resume with your qualifications highlighted on the first page. Save your work history for the second page.

* Don't list positions older than 10- to 15-years - they are out of date.

* Short assignments with various companies should be listed under one job title such as, "consultant" or "programmer." Then give dates for the entire time you worked in that capacity.

* Plan to discuss the actual dates you spent at each company during the interview. Explaining turnover is easier in person than on paper, if you are mentally prepared to address the issue.

* Avoid stating that you left jobs for "a better opportunity." Instead demonstrate that the changes were strategic moves to acquire new skills and experiences.

* Prepare 30-second examples of how experience in one area led to success in another.

* Communicate why you expect to stay in your next position for an extended period of time.

* Always be honest about your career history, but don't volunteer damaging information.