Regarding the most recent discussion, I see both sides of the coin. As an employer, I don't give a second glance to applicants who change jobs often. Three jobs in 12 months just shows me that I'd be wasting my time & money training that person & also that they likely don't have a teamwork mentality. I suggest staying in a job for two years at least, no matter how miserable you are, because it will help you in the job market down the road.
On the other hand, allot of employers are giving annual raises that are well below the inflation rate. In effect, the longer you work there, the less you make unless you get promoted. They are actually paying their employees to leave which doesn't make much sense given the time & money invested in them. They are also promoting a business culture where people are hovering like vultures waiting for those above them on the ladder to screw up, retire or die. Getting your boss in trouble is a way to stay with that employer & keep your salary above the inflation rate. Very, very bad business. You don't want to try to spend an entire career at an employer like that, but, like I said above, stay at least a couple of years so you don't hurt your resume.
I hired two people this week. I found that most of the people who called me asking if I was hiring never actually applied. Of those applications I received, about 90% of them were not attractive enough to interview for different reasons. I weeded out the apps that had criminal history, limited availability, little employment history, multiple employers in a short time frame, unexplained gaps, high school drop-outs. I invited seven people to be interviewed:
1. Had applied with a local address, but was in fact living out of town going to college.
2. Didn't show up to the interview.
3. Was 8 months pregnant.
4. Had 3 employers over the last 20 years, all of whom loved her, had promoted her & wished they could have her back. Had an open availability. Was a widow with grown children & lived nearby. I hired her.
5. Was engaged to be married with a set wedding date. Left his last employer for a better job only to have that new job say they didn't have a spot for him when he showed up on the 1st day. Strong references, highly motivated, stable personal life, customer service work history. I hired him.
6. Strong educational background, but little work experience. Had the personality of a door knob.
7. Looking for a 2nd job. Very successful at current job. Obvious team player & strong customer service skills. Showed up to the interview dressed professionally, but with his shirt untucked. A little too heavy on the street slang-he called me "man" a few times during the interview. I'm on the fence with him. He'd probably be a good addition to my team, but might represent my business & I in a less than professional manner.
. Finding a guy you can train and promote is a problem though...I imagine turnover is kinda high? I have to deal with the employee theft thing too. I feel like one out of every fifty people I bring on board either steals something student, or does something similarly dumb.
