Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Interview Partners to connect and practice with!
Back to overview

Am I a job hopper? Do I have exit?

First job: 1 year (contract)
Second job: 1 year and 3 months 
Then Internship before my master: 5 months
Master 1: 1 year
Third job: 1 year
Fourth job: 6 months
Master 2: 1 year
Now at my master and looking for work

The reason why I did master was for career transition and visa.
I am almost 30 (like after a month or so) and wonder if it is still early in my career. 
Recruiters and hiring managers constantly challenge my experience but reasons are as I mention:
Industry switch, function switch, visa, leave an environment where diversity is not respected, etc.

I did strategy type of work so might not be able to find jobs as easy as SWE.

Would you hire somebody like this if you are a hiring manager?

6
1.5k
13
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer
Deleted user
on Dec 10, 2021

Unless you have a convincing story to explain the frequent job changes, its going to be tough for you. You can mitigate to some extent by having a killer CV, cover letter and referrals to back you up. Dont ask the question why someone may not hire you, rather why should they hire you. In spite of what's going on with your job changes, am sure there is plenty you can offer. Dig deep and figure this out.

Please use this opportunity now to pause, reflect and pay attention to what's happening. I am sure you have good reasons for not being able to stick to one job/company. Plan and work your next move carefully. Be patient and try your best to get it right this time. Please have a look at this article for plenty of tips and guidance- https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/how-do-i-know-which-career-is-right-for-me

All the best.

10
Hagen
Coach
edited on Dec 10, 2021
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 8+ years consulting, 8+ years coaching and 7+ years interviewing experience

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the faith to pursue the type of work and work environment you want!

This is indeed an interesting question which is probably relevant for quite a lot of users, so I am happy to provide my perspective on it:

  • While I think it is not meaningful to discuss whether you are a job hopper or not, I would definitely have a lot of questions about your numerous short-term work changes. Unless you there would be solid reasons in the application files, I would most probably not invite you to an interview as it shows a lack of clarity and consistency, to be honest.
  • Generally speaking, I would advise you to perform a more thorough due diligence on your future employer so that you can stay there for at least 2 years. While it will also be a great experience for you to work somewhere where you are appreciated the way you are, it will also help you slowly erase the image of you being an inconsistent person.

In case you want a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare your application files and interviews for your specific situation, please feel free to contact me directly.

I hope this helps,

Hagen

Ian
Coach
on Dec 09, 2021
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Yes, you are a job hopper and 0 chance I would hire you (sorry).

For your next job, make sure you stay at least 3-4 years. Normally 2 is “fine”, but this is a really bad look that you'll need to work hard to “erase” so to speak. 

Pedro
Coach
on Dec 24, 2021
Bain | EY-Parthenon | Former Principal | 1.5h session | 30% discount 1st session

Yes, you are a job hopper. I would hire you if I needed someone for a short term need and you were ready to hit the ground running. If I needed to invest in you, probably not. Sorry to say that. 

On the other hand, since consulting works on a project basis, you still have a chance there. Particularly because you can easily argue that that's one of the reasons you want consulting - to have the kind of variety you strive for.

Next job, you'll have to stay for a few years before you move again.

on Jul 29, 2022

I think a job hopper can find new opportunities rather than a person who is staying at one job. So it is best dissertation editing services to hunt for new job opportunities in different fields.

3
Anonymous B
on Jul 30, 2022

Am I a job hopper? Yes.

Do I have exit? Unless you can offer something special or have a unique selling point, then I would say low exit.

When a company hires you they investing a lot of time and money learning and evaluating candidates. Ideally, they are trying to identify people that will be highly successful and move up within the company.

My major issue is, you have shown zero work history of spending time with one company in the last 10 years. From a recruiter's perspective, is this likely to change now? 50/50. Do I want to gamble on someone that appears that appears unclear what they want to do in life? Maybe another function, industry switch or how about another Masters or a PHD?

Kevin O'Leary sums it up his thoughts in this article: 

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/04/kevin-oleary-on-the-biggest-resume-red-flag.html

3
Similar Questions
Consulting
Is the Post-MBB Career Really as Bright as Advertised?
on Mar 01, 2025
Global
10
600+
Top answer by
Hagen
Coach
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 8+ years consulting, 8+ years coaching and 7+ years interviewing experience
22
10 Answers
600+ Views
+7
Consulting
How should I explain a change in course at university? Will it be asked of me?
on Apr 14, 2025
Global
10
3.7k
Top answer by
Alessa
Coach
xMcKinsey & Company | xBCG | +200 individual & group coachings | feel free to schedule a 15 min intro call for free
81
10 Answers
3.7k Views
+7
Consulting
Just did the Mckinsey Solve Game (January 2025) - got some questions/insights
on Apr 24, 2025
Global
5
4.0k
Top answer by
Hagen
Coach
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 8+ years consulting, 8+ years coaching and 7+ years interviewing experience
42
5 Answers
4.0k Views
+2
How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely
Thanks for your feedback! Your opinion helps us make PrepLounge even better.