It is Possible to Construct a Positive CV to Stay Employable With a Job Hopping Career History

Copyright (c) 2011 Alison Withers

It is generally thought that a CV containing a lot of short term jobs raises alarm bells about commitment among prospective employers, although there are also those who claim that nowadays, when a job for life is a rare phenomenon, it can show adaptability and flexibility.

However, a CV is a possible employer's first introduction to a candidate and when recruiters are receiving large numbers of applications they are always looking for ways to reduce the pile to manageable proportions.

Regardless of what may be perfectly valid reasons, for anyone whose career history does reveal a number of short-term positions it is sensible to avoid the risk of being eliminated by constructing a CV that accentuates the positive.

It may be, for example, that a candidate starting out with basic office skills and a career plan with the goal of becoming an executive PA has planned to have a series of temp jobs to build on their basic office experience in a variety of settings each of which adds something to their skill set and all of which demonstrate an ability to fit in to a variety of settings.

Since the objective is to be invited to interview it is best not to explain the reasons for leaving each job if it can be avoided and then if challenged at interview to have an answer ready.

It is important to remember that a CV is a piece of marketing, to get a foot in the door. It doesn't matter whether it is being prepared for a specific company or a specialist recruitment agency. Some simple solutions can help to construct a CV even if there are employment gaps and short stints in different jobs.

For gaps perhaps think about other activities such as experience relevant to the job target. This could include volunteer activities, community involvement, special projects, consulting engagements and continuing education.

If the gaps are caused by time out to raise a family, continue education, care for a sick family member or recover from an injury, the tone should not be apologetic if an explanation is required.

Wherever possible it is a good idea to group jobs in blocks of years rather than giving monthly start and end dates. They can then be used as positive examples in statement of objectives to summarise goals and top qualifications. This will draw attention to a candidate's selling points and downplay the work chronology.

It is advisable not to draw attention to dates of employment by setting them off on the page, putting them in bold text, on a separate line, or as headings above each position.

There are some fields where it is usual for people to be asked to work for defined contract periods and, similarly, if there have been a number of such contracts they can be grouped together. For a two or three page CV use half or more of the first page to summarize your value proposition to the prospective employer and illustrate it with relevant achievements. For a one page résumé focus on your skills, abilities, and specific projects you've completed.

If some explanation of gaps or short contracts is needed it should go in the covering letter that accompanies the CV. That way, not only will the CV be shorter, which recruiters prefer, but also any explanation is kept separate, and of course, should always accentuate the positive even if the circumstances were outside the candidate's control, such as a merger, company downsizing.