RE: Had a lot of jobs - how do I avert that negative aspect

Here's how I would address that question.

For the past five years I have been trying to find a stable company where I can settle down and establish myself in a career. I selected your company because you have a good reputation and appear to be stable. Do I need to be concerned about that?

Paul Schmehl (pauls@utdallas.edu)
Adjunct Information Security Officer
The University of Texas at Dallas
AVIEN Founding Member
http://www.utdallas.edu/~pauls/

-----Original Message-----
From: Aaron Whyte [mailto:aaronwhyte@hotmail.com] Sent: Saturday, February 22, 2003 7:30 PM To: securityjobs@securityfocus.com
Subject: Had a lot of jobs - how do I avert that negative aspect

Hi,

I am on the job market again.

I have been in the security space for a while, and have unfortunately, had a
lot of jobs. In my early years, I admit it, I was a jumper. I stayed at a
company about 1-2 years, and then moved on to bigger and better opportunities.

As to my last 5 years in the industry, I have had 4 jobs. Two with software
companies that both went belly up (not a rarity in the infosec space) and
the other 2 with consulting companies that also ran out of money.

Do you need help?

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Now when I go on interviews, they all say, we like your experience but view
my job hoping as a negative.

I have not found a good way to answer that questions. Any ideas?

I just tell them that yes, early on, I was a jumper. But in the last 5 years I had some bad luck. But then again, this is a volatile sector.

Can anyone assist me (and I am sure there are others in the exact same boat)
in how I can answer the questions of 'why have you had so many jobs?' in a
positive manner?

Thanx!

Aaron
aaronwhyte@hotmail.com