3 ms·

I'll add to this, I've had 5 jobs within 5 years of graduating. The first 2 jumps were due to compensation, was able to get a nice raise each time. The third

I'll add to this, I've had 5 jobs within 5 years of graduating. The first 2 jumps were due to compensation, was able to get a nice raise each time. The third job was a good fit, however the role evolved into something I didn't like as much and didn't fit my career goals. I took the fourth job to try something new, quickly found out the role had nothing I enjoyed doing. All of the experiences were valuable in terms of experience: different industries, meeting different people, and learning what I like to do.

adra 4y ago
An average tenure of 1 year in a job is a red hot flag I'd almost immediately reject. Life's too short to spend a month wasted training an employee that's just going to jump again. It's my number 1 no-hire criteria. Good on you for convincing so many hiring managers that you're worth the risk though I suppose?
- abalashov 4y ago
  I think if the employee is experienced and independently motivated enough to ramp up and become productive quickly, you can get considerable value from someone like that. But you're basically talking about a highly specialised perma-contractor, W-2 in name only...
- hiq 4y ago
  What's nice with this is that it automatically fixes itself: once you've jumped enough that no new employer wants you, you (have to) stay at the same one long again to be a good candidate again, assuming you don't get fired. Though after reading HN long enough, I have to question whether you ever end up in this relatively bad situation, especially if every jump was basically a promotion.
- sokoloff 4y ago
  I agree that 5-in-5 as a candidates total experience and applying to my company to become a 6th? That’s pretty much not going to happen. Someone who has stayed at a place or two for a couple years and been promoted there and then had a bunch of 1-year stints? I’m more open to hearing the explanation.
- fishtoaster 4y ago
  Eh, 5-in-5 is a yellow flag for me, maybe depending on what the longest tenure was. It's probably something I'd bring up. The explanation Aaronstotle gave for leaving each place would be plenty reasonable for me.

adra 4y ago

An average tenure of 1 year in a job is a red hot flag I'd almost immediately reject. Life's too short to spend a month wasted training an employee that's just going to jump again. It's my number 1 no-hire criteria. Good on you for convincing so many hiring managers that you're worth the risk though I suppose?

abalashov 4y ago
I think if the employee is experienced and independently motivated enough to ramp up and become productive quickly, you can get considerable value from someone like that. But you're basically talking about a highly specialised perma-contractor, W-2 in name only...
hiq 4y ago
What's nice with this is that it automatically fixes itself: once you've jumped enough that no new employer wants you, you (have to) stay at the same one long again to be a good candidate again, assuming you don't get fired. Though after reading HN long enough, I have to question whether you ever end up in this relatively bad situation, especially if every jump was basically a promotion.
sokoloff 4y ago
I agree that 5-in-5 as a candidates total experience and applying to my company to become a 6th? That’s pretty much not going to happen. Someone who has stayed at a place or two for a couple years and been promoted there and then had a bunch of 1-year stints? I’m more open to hearing the explanation.
fishtoaster 4y ago
Eh, 5-in-5 is a yellow flag for me, maybe depending on what the longest tenure was. It's probably something I'd bring up. The explanation Aaronstotle gave for leaving each place would be plenty reasonable for me.