6 jobs in 7 years with some gaps in between

NoNoDrama

What's the best way to explain this to potential employers? Most of the jobs have been call centre type rolls where turnover is around 1 year anyway but in this tough climate I feel any potential employer would rather take a long-standing candidate who has just been made redundant rather than a 'job-hopper'. I also have 2 6 month gaps in the last 5 years.

What do people who work in HR think of job-hoppers is it overwhelmingly negative, do you get many of these types of C.V.'s ??

I'll be honest I've been very flippant towards my career (I'm 31) and seen most of the jobs as 'throwaway' and 'disposable' and not really had any interest in the companies I've been working for. Although I've performed well in my roles I'm not the most enthusiastic employee.

However I've decided I need to grow up a bit and take my next job a bit more seriously so any tips on explaining my 'flippant' job history would be great.

SarEl

I don't suppose you did anything seriously useful with your time? Like travelling in the gaps, or making a useful contributiion to society? Because obviously that would be a good explanation for having "disposable" jobs - that work and career were not your primary goal, but you have other aspects which you prioritised during your "youth".

Emmzi

call centre turnover is not one year "anyway", many people make good careers in such organisations.

So. Why did you really move jobs?

And, why are you ready to settle down now? (If you aren't ready, temping is the way to go.)

What sort of jobs are you looking at now?

dseventy

NoNoDrama wrote: »

What do people who work in HR think of job-hoppers is it overwhelmingly negative, do you get many of these types of C.V.'s ??

.

Unless the industry is seasonal or has peaks, having that many jobs in that period of time does sound like you can't commit, not dedicated or will easily move on, or a mix of all 3.

And I also agree with the above, call centre working is not a one year thing.

The other thing I would pick up would be the 2 six month gaps.

6 month gaps always make me wonder why. Why exactly 6 months? Is that the contributions used up (for JSA) and now you _have_ to get a job?

Food for thought.

D70

NoNoDrama

I'd still qualify for income based JSA so nothing to do with contributions. Call Centres are known for high turnover most people leave within a year (fact) there are those that stay and make a career out of it but they are a minority.

I did travel for 6 months during one period.

I am ready to commit now. The thing is if something or someone !!!!es me off I tend to want to leave there's been other instances where I've had a 'fling' and things have become awkward so I've left. One of the positions was for 2 and a half years though but in the end I got bored of seeing the same people day in, day out so I moved on. I feel I'm just not cut out to work, I cringe at the career 'jobsworths' who live, eat and breath work that I have come across in the past, I don't think I'm ever going to be one of these people.

I hate routine. How can I change my mindset and become more career orientated?

morganedge

interesting question. I hope you get some useful, helpful replies.

I'm in a similar position. I've never known what I want to do career wise. Nothing work wise interests me, and the absence of having a work related goal in mind has meant that i've just gone from warehouse job to admin job for months at a time. Usually through agencies.

I also have LOTS of gaps, and some of them are for even longer that you!

In them gaps I've just tried to enjoy life. I managed to get my hands on an amount of money and have been able to afford to not work for a little while and actually enjoy life. I don't think of that as a crime - I mean, everyone I know would quit their jobs if they could and go out partying every night! But for some reason employers like to see people who have no gaps in their employment history, and if there are gaps, they want that time to have been productive from a professional point of view. I guess People who think life is all about spending all your time working.

As for suggestions, could you lie and say you've been travelling? I used that lie once and it worked fine.

Maybe someone knows of other ways to explain gaps away without compromising their morals! lol

Emmzi

if you hate routine then a permanent lowbie level job is not for you

travel rep? what else do you like?

it may be that the interim market is the thing for you. lots of 6 - 12 month max contracts in different places.

what skills and qualifications do you have?

paulwf

NoNoDrama wrote: »

I hate routine. How can I change my mindset and become more career orientated?

Working for very small businesses may help, you will have to do everything from IT technician to tea maker to advertising strategist to book keeper to HR etc. A customer facing role may also help, a constant stream of new customers never gets boring even though every now and then you might get a grumpy one. An on the road sales rep could be an option, you get your own space for most of the week and get to travel around and need to be self motivated.

Basically get away from office work in a large company where you have one fixed job role and don't get to see customers.