how many jobs have you had

My mom and sister think my husband and i switch jobs often. I,be had two fulltime positions prior to going to grad school in unrelated industries.
I did work part time while in school. I stayed at the part time position for a year after I graduated. I just started a fulltime position slightly in the field that I got my master,s degree. I already see that it wont lead to anything down the road. Dh said I should look for something new but I'm second guessing myself. I don't want it to look like I jump from job to Job.

What are your thoughts.

Re: how many jobs have you had

I think in general, if people are only staying a year or less at a job, they look like job hoppers and are a risk for a company to consider hiring.

I think this is more common early on in one's career, but if someone has been working for awhile, it would be a red flag IMO (I have hired people in the past).

It sounds like you will be fine though with the situation you describe ;).

Re: how many jobs have you had

I'm at my new job 5 months. Prior to that was 3 years, prior to that was 5 years. I had random jobs in college, summers, etc.

Re: how many jobs have you had

I just started this current job, but prior to that I was at my last position for 5 years, before that 2, years and before that 3 years.

Re: how many jobs have you had

Current job: Will be 7 years this summer.

Last job: 4 years - some of that was P/T while going through college, then F/T after I graduated and looked for an actual career.

Prior to that, I had a few internships, apprenticeships, and worked in my school's theatre department as an ASM, running sound and building sets for a bunch of productions.

Oh, and I worked for a punk record label for a bit during high school.

ETA: The job I am in now requires that I screen resumes and I can say that if I see job hopping on a resume, I usually do pass it over.

Message edited 5/3/2012 10:47:42 AM.

Re: how many jobs have you had

Over the past 7 years, I've worked for 4 different companies. And the reason being is because of the economy and lack of business. I understand it looks like I've been "job hopping" on my resume, when in fact I was let go from each position due to the "last hired, first fired" deal. None of my prior employers had anything negative to say about me, all gave me excellent references, it was just because times were tough, and they couldn't afford to keep on payroll anymore.

During the interview process, each interviewer questioned my lengthy work history, and honestly I felt like I was on trial for a crime. They each thought negatively of me, and the only one who understand where I was coming from (because he himself went through the same thing), offered me the job on the spot.

It's tough out there, and if you already have a stable career, then I'd wait a few years before switching careers. I know it may not be the answer your looking for, but I don't want anyone to go through what I went through. It was horrible and I was so depressed after each interview.

Good luck

Re: how many jobs have you had

Not counting any jobs I worked prior to college graduation: 1 temp job, 1 FT job that I worked for about 1.5 years, left because I was unhappy even though the money was good, then went to another FT job for 8 months before working where I work now (although I switched industries/careers completely) I have been at my current job for almost 3.5 years now, longest I have ever been at a job!

Re: how many jobs have you had

Not counting jobs before college graduation---three. I've been out of college for ten years.

Re: how many jobs have you had

one employer..

I have been out of college for for aboiut 15 years

Re: how many jobs have you had

I have had 7 jobs counting one I am at now...and two were within same agency, just totally different agencies within the one agency. For me, I felt it helped me, I worked in govt, corporate, private and non profit agency, so I have been on all sides of my field and feel well versed and rounded in the field. I was recently hiring someone and my H.R. dept was very concerned with the number of jobs this candidate had, I had to explain my point of view and they understood and didn't find it as such a negative when I explained how many jobs I had and how I have been at my current job for 4 years and not looking b/c I am happy I saw it all and like where i am.

Re: how many jobs have you had

Too many to count. I have been working since I got my working papers in high school (14-15?). There were times in the past where I had more than one job to make ends meet. I have been on my own since 18 y/o.
The past 10yrs however, I have been with the same employer.

ETA: I worked many jobs thru a temp agency, I was with them for a few yrs as well...it was through them that I found out about my current employer.

I, too am looking to change careers. There are some jobs out there but not much. Every job I look at wants previous experience, and I would have to take a serious pay cut.

Stay at your current job, but keep looking. IMO it is more important to like what you do. I make a decent salary but I'm not happy and will be stuck for a while longer.

Message edited 5/5/2012 2:13:02 AM.

Re: how many jobs have you had

four full time jobs since graduating - that was 10 years ago - eek!

First job - almost 4 1/2 years (includes part time while in school)
Second job - about 1 year
third job - 3 1/2 years
fourth (current) job - 5 months

Re: how many jobs have you had

Since graduating from college 8 years ago, I've had 2 jobs, in completely different types of work. The first job I stayed at for 6 years (of misery), and I've been at my current job for almost 2 years.

Re: how many jobs have you had

first job was only temporary from the outset. i knew i was taking a year between college and grad school or law school. started p/t january of my senior year (i only had to take 1 or 2 classes that semester, so i started working), went f/t that september, and quit the following may. So, 1.5 years there.

After that, i worked at one firm starting the summer after my second year of law school, continued to work part time during my third year, and started f/t the following sept. stayed there until about 5 years after graduating law school.

been at my current firm for 4 years.

Re: how many jobs have you had

Job hopping is ok in some fields as long as you have 1 or 2 jobs where there's a history of a longer stays of 3+ years.

I've been working since 14 doing various jobs.

Ever since graduating college 15 years ago, I've been at too many companies to count - probably 9 so far. The last 2 stints have been consulting jobs.

I don't feel job hopping has been detrimental to my career. In fact, in IT it's a good thing since you're exposed to new technology at each job.

Re: how many jobs have you had