Why You Should Hire Job Hoppers

Job hoppers are people who change jobs on a regular basis. They don’t typically ever last at one single job for more than one year. Let’s be honest, as an HR professional, you have to scratch your head and wonder if a job hopper is the best person to hire at your company.

Job hoppers have a bad reputation. Our initial reaction is to assume that they will cause a disruption in the office culture when they leave unexpectedly. We question their loyalty as they notoriously think that the grass is always greener somewhere else. Plus, hiring a job hopper could cost you time and money down the line. But is this always the case?

It’s time to face reality. The world of jobs has changed drastically over the years. Today, job hopping is quite common. The normal career path is no longer a linear process. That means that recruiters like you are probably going to have the resume of a job hopper come across their desk sooner than later. And that brings up the question – Why should you hire job hoppers?

People leave jobs for a variety of reasons. They may be bored, want to climb the ladder, earn a bigger paycheck, or are looking for a change of scenery. Or maybe they are seasonal workers who are combining work and travel in order to experience the world. Every job hopper is unique and as a recruiter you need to remember that. It’s up to you to discover why people quit their jobs and whether it is a valid reason.

Hopping from one job to the next is not easy for a job hopper, but it often makes them a very valuable person for you to hire. Job hoppers usually show the following traits:

• Flexibility
• Adaptability
• Strong Networks
• Unique Skill Sets and Talents
• Versatility
• Risk Takers
• Enthusiastic
• Fresh Ideas
• Top Performers
• Knowledgeable
• Easier To Recruit

These are all things that a company should want in their employees. Job hoppers are the latest generation of job seekers and HR departments need to prepare to get an onslaught of job hopper resumes and job applications in the near future. Sure a job hopper could cost you time and money in the future if you have to eventually hire someone else, but give a job hopper a reason to stay and they could be your best hire ever.

It’s up to you to decide if you should hire job hoppers. Explore your job candidate options and you might be more likely to give a job hopper a chance. Ask in depth questions during the job interview, rely on references, and trust your gut. Even if a job candidate has a reputation for moving around, it may be better to hire a superstar job hopper for a few months than to get stuck with a boring, worthless employee that’s impossible to fire for the next decade.

It’s your job to hire the best people, so be sure to weigh the pros and cons of hiring job hoppers. There’s no right or wrong answer on whether it’s a good idea or a bad idea. It’s your choice. Never eliminate a job candidate because they job hop. Often job hopping makes them stronger. Job hopping is the new reality of the working world, are you ready?