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Confessions of a job hopper

Whether job hoppers are rubbish as suggested by one local HR professional is up for debate. Most job seekers are well-aware of the fact that being labelled as a "jumpy candidate" does their career no good.

Everyone has their unique career path and sometimes it is difficult not to be a job hopper even when trying really hard not to, as this Hong Kong worker shared on Hong Kong Discussion Group.

He said during a job interview, the hiring manager asked him why he decided to move on after such a short stint at his previous job. He replied that his supervisor was a horrible boss who dumped all the workload on him.

The HR manager asked him why he did not report the situation to the boss. The candidate explained that in his view, it is impossible for a subordinate to complain to someone higher up about his manager and get a positive result out of it.

While it is never a smart decision to bad-mouth one's former employer during a job interview, the worker certainly has good reasons to leave his job quickly.

Another netizen also shared the hardship of being labelled a job hopper. He said he is in his late thirties, and has changed job every year for the past five years. He understands that his resume does not look good at first glance, but he will keep sending out job applications because he is desperate to leave his current job.

He listed the reasons why he wanted to move on:1. The office culture is toxic, his colleagues and the boss swear non-stop at work every day2. The manager is really emotional, she has a short fuse and gets upset over the little things3. Poor relationship with colleagues4. The job duties are too simple. There is no career prospect.

"To be honest, I think I am jumpy but I can't help it. I have sent many job applications but got very little response," he wrote.

Perhaps the poster could work on his interpersonal skills and maturity to help him handle the sometimes harsh reality of a workplace. If he contines to run away from difficult situations without attempting to improve them,  he only has himself to blame for his woes.

There are jumpy candidates who lack commitment, but sometimes it is just bad luck. Every candidate has their story, and it is best for HR professionals to dig deeper and judge them on a case by case basis before labelling somone as a job hopper and disqualifying them from the recruitment process.

ALSO READ: Are you concerned about hiring job hoppers?

Photo/ 123RF

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