| If you are prepared for this question, it is very easy to | | | | make your projects a success? That's a good |
| formulate a winning answer. | | | | question and I am glad you asked. I've switched jobs in |
| The idea is not be perceived as a "job hopper." You | | | | the past for very good reasons. One reason is that it |
| will want to focus on how switching jobs often was | | | | was a function of the economy. Everyone was |
| mostly a CHOICE YOU MADE based on taking | | | | changing jobs during the "dot com" times as we were |
| advantage of opportunities for you to perform, learn, | | | | moving towards an information and technology driven |
| grow and advance in-line with your career goals. | | | | society. I worked at some excellent companies that |
| It is important, however, that you make it clear to the | | | | afforded me great opportunities to learn new skills that |
| interviewer that the job you are interviewing for would | | | | are totally relevant to the position that we are |
| be a major milestone in your career path -- the "grail" | | | | discussing here today. These include my ability to "X" |
| you have been working toward. You'll want to | | | | effectively in order to solve problems like "Y" and "Z." I |
| reiterate your commitment to the company and your | | | | believe that those are the types of skills that will enable |
| plans to stay, learn, and grow for the foreseeable | | | | me to be successful here, aren't they?" |
| future. | | | | - "I have had opportunities to see how several |
| There are many good reasons for you to have | | | | different businesses do things, and that is really why I |
| changed jobs frequently. | | | | am here today. I have a fairly clear understanding of |
| You may note that you fell into different contracts or | | | | how this company operates, and I like it, and I do want |
| temp jobs because "success breeds success." More | | | | to be here a long time so that I can contribute to |
| good and different contracts or temp jobs may have | | | | everyone's success -- including my own. Does that |
| kept coming your way. Also, many organizations blend | | | | make sense?" |
| temp and full-time employees and you can note that | | | | - "I can understand why you would ask that type of |
| you have taken advantage of this as an opportunity to | | | | question, and I have to say that 'success breeds |
| gain new skills and experiences. | | | | success.' I have been successful at temping and |
| Do not apologize for switching jobs frequently. Be | | | | contracting, and new and better gigs kept coming my |
| proud that you have been able to easily fit in to | | | | way. I put a lot of thought into taking them, and I |
| different organizations and make a solid contribution | | | | always left on good terms. Plus, I was able to learn |
| from the get-go. | | | | skills that will be important to THIS position while |
| Here are several word-for-word job interview | | | | earning a living at the same time. Now, having seen |
| answers you can use: | | | | what other companies offer, I have been able to |
| - "I can see why you're asking that question, and I have | | | | target your company as the place I want to be. I also |
| to say that it is because of my people skills that I have | | | | have developed a clear understanding of my own |
| been able to try different opportunities. I am a reliable | | | | personal skills and career goals. Can you see how that |
| quick learner with the people skills needed to "fit in" and | | | | would help me be successful here?" |
| be effective in different environments. I gathered a lot | | | | Practice your interview answers ahead of time! The |
| of relevant experience this way. For example ..." | | | | fact that you have had many jobs is a STRENGTH if |
| - "So, you're wondering if I am going to stay here long | | | | you spin it right. |
| enough to make a meaningful contribution and help | | | | |