Job hopping?

[plantladyrn]

I am a new nurse (6mo) who is looking to relocate. Would it look bad to have a new job so suddenly? And in a year and a half we would probably move again (military). I am worried that I might look like a job hopper. I want to relocate because my significant other lives in another state and I’m not a big fan of where I live. Would I still be marketable to an employer because of this? It’s not because I hate my job I love it, it’s just the location issues.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I was a military wife for many years and moved every 18 months to 3 years for a long time. In military towns they were used to it and no one said anything.

I don't think its an issue

[Matthew RN, MSN]

On ‎4‎/‎15‎/‎2019 at 1:03 AM, plantladyrn said:

I am a new nurse (6mo) who is looking to relocate. Would it look bad to have a new job so suddenly? And in a year and a half we would probably move again (military). I am worried that I might look like a job hopper. I want to relocate because my significant other lives in another state and I’m not a big fan of where I live. Would I still be marketable to an employer because of this? It’s not because I hate my job I love it, it’s just the location issues.

Everything being equal it does look a little bad on a resume, however it happens all the time, when moving it is easy to see why. Be prepared to explain why. So yes you are still marketable, you will still find a new job. However, you don't want your resume to show a trend of job hopping, I would suggest staying at least a year at your next job.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Depending on your location and the quality of your references, the frequent moving could make it difficult for you to get a GOOD job -- one for which there are several applicants for each position. You may have to settle for a job that is not your first choice in a competitive job market until you can show some stability. Also, will you be seeking jobs that will require a lot of training/orientation? If you apply for jobs very similar to the one you are leaving so that you won't need much orientation, that would help a bit.

If you can show that the moves were all military-related it would help. But that might help only a little bit. It's a question of money. Employers simply can't afford to spend a lot of money hiring and training people who are not going to stay very long. So anything you can do to suggest that you won't cost much to orient and that you will be staying long enough to be worth that much to the employer will help.