Handling Job-Hopping Questions
Allan Hoffman
These days, no one expects you to spend your entire career at a single company. That would peg you as a throwback, especially in information technology. But job-hopping, especially if you're staying at a company for less than 18 months, may raise questions with a potential employer.
Is There a Risk in Switching Jobs Frequently?
Ten years ago, switching jobs every two years would make you a problem case. No more. Turnover is a fact of life in IT; companies try to combat it with stock options, project bonuses and other perks. But it is still common for a company's IT department to have a turnover rate of 15 percent to 20 percent -- especially among professionals like networking gurus or Web database pros, whose skills are in high demand. For those with less valuable skills, moving from job to job poses a greater risk.
If you've stayed with two or three employers for less than a year, you'll probably have to answer questions about your job-hopping habit. The key is to be prepared and have sensible answers that are likely to neutralise the issue, or even help your case.
