Frequently switching employers

[Zandor]

After 21 years at one job, I an now losing my fourth job in as many years. Two were due to plant closings, two due to downsizing.

I am told employers are turned off by someone that has frequently switched jobs. I can understand that. Is there something I can put in my resume, perhaps near the top, that explains why I've switched jobs so often? Or would I just be highlighting a liablity?

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

1. I'd leave it off. If you get an interview and they ask, explain it there.

Sorry about your job loss.

[RazzleCat]

2. Note it on your resume

On mine I have it set up like this

Joes Computers (closed company)
January 2006 - March 2007

Jeans Networking (reorganization)
April 2004 - October 2005

Juans Tech (per diem position)
July 2003 - June 2004

that way when they look over the resume (if per chance they do) they can see my "job hopping" is related more to industry changes rather than me jumping around at the drop of a hat. Simple and easy way to communicate its not me.

[ekelly]

3. Put it on your resume

as suggested by RazzleCat.

I am trying to hire an admin. assistant. The resumes which indicate "job hopping" don't get a second look, unless they include reasons for leaving beyond the applicants' control.
If those candidates' stated experience and skills qualify them for the job duties, and their short-time status is validated, they will get interviews.

[undeterred]

4. I'm in the computer field

Before the Bush era I had two year long jobs. 1st and 2nd companies went out of business. After that I had a 1 year long period of unemployment, but so did everyone else in IT.

Since then, I've had a lot of short contract jobs, and I've also had a bunch that didn't work out. Mostly I say I like doing contract work- because it does have its advantages and I've learned a lot. I make it sound like its my choice. Mostly it is- contract work gives you a choice to see if you'd really want to work at a company or not and sometimes the decision is that you really don't want to.

You have nothing to be ashamed of. You aren't in control of the economy. Tell the truth and hold your head up high. Neither highlight nor hide the reasons you had to change jobs. It is what it is.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

5. Or maybe there were other causes. -nt

[uppityperson]

6. mmmm

[Lisa0825]

7. Put it on your resume.

Only because there were things beyond your control. I wouldn't ever put reasons on a resume if it was just "better opportunity" or "not a good fit" or whatever, but it is fine to put "plant closure" or "companywide downsizing" or similar things. The problem is that some people won't look any further if they decide you have a spooty work history, so having the reasons right there is your way of saying, "keep reading!"

I am an HR generalist in recruimtent, and if I saw your resume with 21 years with one company and 4 job changes since, I would assume it was a scenario just as you descibed. I am only really wary when there are NO long-term positions, or none within the last 10 years or so. but not everyone is like that.