CV Tips & Advice - Are You A Job Hopper?

There could be a multitude of reasons as to why there are more jobs listed on your CV then they are years. They could all be genuine in the eyes of recruitment agencies, or in the current economic climate, you may have been perpetually unlucky.

But just as huge gaping gaps on a CV grab attention for the wrong reason, ‘job hopping’ can be seen as a potential negative upon first glance of your credentials. Especially if you're high up the ranks and aiming that spots at director & ceo jobs.

How to put the positive spin on a résumé full of action is one of the most frequently debated topics on CV writing. Budget cuts, contracts ending and company overhauls are happening EVERYWHERE at the moment. Even if you are not in this position at the moment – you very well might be in the future.

The fact is that the job hopping CV will become more the norm as we ride put the recession and something which potential employers will become more used to seeing – which is good news for you.

So, how do we work around this on your CV. Well, the first tip I would offer would to work your CV into a ‘functional’ style rather than the more popular ‘chronological order’ one.

1. What's the difference? A chronological resume lists jobs by years whilst a functional resume addresses relevant specialities. You will list your experience in order of relevance rather than by date, which is far less important Only list experience relevant to the job you’ve applying for. There’s no law that says you have to list every single job you’ve ever had on your resume.


2. Don’t call attention to your dates of employment by using them as headers or setting them off in the left hand margin. Put dates at the end of job descriptions. Also, use years only, not months and years.


3. If you left a job because it was eliminated (merger, mass layoff, etc.), be sure to say so. Also, if it’s the truth of course, you may do well to mention it was department or companywide, which suggests that the decision was out of your hands and not personal performance based.


4. If you’ve had numerous freelance or contract jobs, lump them together. The purpose of your CV is to show you have the skills and experience for a particular job. It’s not an autobiography.


5. Write a GREAT cover letter where you demonstrate (a) your knowledge of the company you’re seeking to join, and (b) the specific value you bring to your prospective employer.

And here’s a bonus tip: Are you depending on your CV to get interviews? Don’t! Remember that bit of job hopping on your CV will not matter a jot is your experience and personality fit the bill. Remember to keep networking and potential employers will get to know YOU before your CV.