Ask HN: My CV says I'm a job-hopper/quitter, how can I reverse that?

2 pointsevex7y ago12 comments

My job experience is with 2 startups that failed 4-6 months in, and once got fired after being burnt out.

So on my resume, I look like a job-hopper, and I only have these 3 jobs in my cv, what can I do to let recruiters know that I'm not a quitter?

Here's how it looks:

ListingMirror, United States — Full-Stack Developer July 2017 - October 2017

Mokusio, Dubai — Full-Stack Developer January 2016 - August 2016

Waitron, Lebanon — Full-Stack Developer September 2015 - December 2015

Here's my resume: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HdD6ymKVePDyFFoHstt0TeUKzArhksNJjH1Nn1gNDhM/edit?usp=sharing

12 comments

wsc9817y ago

You could just add a small story for each company on the work you did there and add that 2 start-ups failed imo.

evexOP7y ago

Hm, where exactly? In the coverletter or somewhere else?

wsc9817y ago

Just in your history, e.g. as such:

  Company 1, Location           StartDate - EndDate
  Role
  I was responsible for implementing an iOS tablet app and 
  provided guidance to junior team members. In the end I did 
  have to leave the company after x months due to the start-up
  failing.

  Company 2, Location           StartDate - EndDate
  Role
  ...

You might have to change the layout of your CV a bit. Personally I have the following sections on my CV:

- Contact Info

- Professional Experience

- Education

- Programming (I should rename it to 'Skills' or something)

- Certifications

- Languages

1 more reply

Khelavaster7y ago

Start contracting, and then let your resume show you enjoy contracting. Your previous full-time experience will fall into perspective naturally.

evexOP7y ago

I see, thanks for your reply

Is remote contracting a thing?

And if my resume is all contracting work, wouldn't it get harder to get a job as an employee later?

zapperdapper7y ago

> And if my resume is all contracting work, wouldn't it get harder to get a job as an employee later?

No, not if you have the right skillset/attitude. Been in the biz 30+ years with a good mix of permie and long periods of contract work. Never had any issues switching between the two.

1 more reply

wsc9817y ago

There are many online platforms for remote contract work. I currently do remote contract work through Codementor [0]. I personally prefer it over any permanent position, but to each his own.

---

[0]: https://www.codementor.io

1 more reply

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Ask HN: My CV says I'm a job-hopper/quitter, how can I reverse that?

2 pointsevex7y ago12 comments

My job experience is with 2 startups that failed 4-6 months in, and once got fired after being burnt out.

So on my resume, I look like a job-hopper, and I only have these 3 jobs in my cv, what can I do to let recruiters know that I'm not a quitter?

Here's how it looks:

ListingMirror, United States — Full-Stack Developer July 2017 - October 2017

Mokusio, Dubai — Full-Stack Developer January 2016 - August 2016

Waitron, Lebanon — Full-Stack Developer September 2015 - December 2015

Here's my resume: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HdD6ymKVePDyFFoHstt0TeUKzArhksNJjH1Nn1gNDhM/edit?usp=sharing

12 comments

wsc9817y ago

You could just add a small story for each company on the work you did there and add that 2 start-ups failed imo.

evexOP7y ago

Hm, where exactly? In the coverletter or somewhere else?

wsc9817y ago

Just in your history, e.g. as such:

  Company 1, Location           StartDate - EndDate
  Role
  I was responsible for implementing an iOS tablet app and 
  provided guidance to junior team members. In the end I did 
  have to leave the company after x months due to the start-up
  failing.

  Company 2, Location           StartDate - EndDate
  Role
  ...

You might have to change the layout of your CV a bit. Personally I have the following sections on my CV:

- Contact Info

- Professional Experience

- Education

- Programming (I should rename it to 'Skills' or something)

- Certifications

- Languages

1 more reply

Khelavaster7y ago

Start contracting, and then let your resume show you enjoy contracting. Your previous full-time experience will fall into perspective naturally.

evexOP7y ago

I see, thanks for your reply

Is remote contracting a thing?

And if my resume is all contracting work, wouldn't it get harder to get a job as an employee later?

zapperdapper7y ago

> And if my resume is all contracting work, wouldn't it get harder to get a job as an employee later?

No, not if you have the right skillset/attitude. Been in the biz 30+ years with a good mix of permie and long periods of contract work. Never had any issues switching between the two.

1 more reply

wsc9817y ago

There are many online platforms for remote contract work. I currently do remote contract work through Codementor [0]. I personally prefer it over any permanent position, but to each his own.

---

[0]: https://www.codementor.io

1 more reply

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse