How to Spot a Job Hopper (Before You Hire Them!)

In the past, people commonly stayed with one employer for the entire duration of their career. However, things have drastically changed. As of January 2014, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes the average worker had been with their company for a total of 4.6 years.

When you hire a new employee, you probably don’t expect them to stay with your company for the rest of their career, but you do assume they’ll put in at least a few years. After all, it’s beyond frustrating to have to keep filling the same position every six months. It’s important to know how to spot a job hopper, so you can avoid hiring one at all costs.

3 Ways to Catch a Job Hopper

Afraid you’re going to inadvertently hire a job hopper? Use these three tips to identify one before it’s too late:

1. Carefully Review Their Resume: Simply having worked at a few more companies than the average candidate does not make a person a job hopper. Review their resume closely to see how long they stayed in each position, and to learn the nature of each job. If they’ve developed a pattern of switching back and forth between industries every six months, you’ll want to steer clear. However, if they’ve put in a few years at each company and their career moves seem to make sense, there’s probably a reasonable explanation behind their frequent moves.
2. Ask the Right Questions: Dig deep during the interview to find out exactly why the candidate has left their previous positions. Career moves are often made at no fault of their own, such as being laid off or having to move out of town for personal reasons. Listen closely to hear how the person speaks about their former employer. Steer clear of a candidate who says bad things about their former managers, colleagues or companies in general, as there’s a good chance they’re both a job hopper and difficult to work with.
3. Conduct a Reference Check: Speaking with a candidate’s references can help you to either confirm suspicions that they’re a job hopper or put them to rest. You can learn a lot about the person by speaking with someone who has worked with them in a previous position and knows about their past work history. It’s also advisable to call a person’s references, but especially pertinent if you’re suspicious of their intentions with your company.

Searching for a candidate who’s committed to your company for the long term? Partner with The Wood Companies! We consistently deliver high-quality employees and support our clients through customized staffing solutions. Contact us today to learn more about our staffing services in the Michiana region.