It's OK to job hop in these 5 instances

If your résumé is dotted with short sprints at different jobs, it might cause hiring managers to raise an eyebrow. They may assume that you don’t get along with management or that you’re difficult to please. However, that old-school mindset is starting to crack.

Having multiple short-term positions on your résumé doesn’t always carry a negative stigma anymore. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 4.6 years is the average length of time U.S. workers have been with their current employer, but for employees between the ages of 20 and 34, this number is cut in half.

According to recruiting expert and former Yahoo sourcer Chris Murdock, staying at one company for life is no longer the norm.

“Nowadays, if you’ve been in a company two years, you’re the seasoned professional,” he says. “Some even think if you’ve been at a company for five years, you should move on.”

While you don’t want to appear unreliable, sometimes it’s acceptable to have a quick turnaround in your work life. Here are five instances when job-hopping won’t hurt you:

1. You’re moving within the company. Moving into a new position or department within the same company highlights your value as an employee. If you made a lateral move to help a former employer with a transition or to broaden your skillset, this shows that you’re versatile, ambitious, and a team player.

On your résumé, just list the company name once, and put each different job title under that umbrella to make it clear that you didn’t leave the company during that time.

1. You’re going abroad as an expat. Working in a new global environment can help you understand how business is done in other places, which makes you an asset to potential employers.

Dan Black, Ernst & Young’s director of campus recruiting, says that going to work abroad can benefit young job seekers and mid-career professionals.

“We definitely see overseas experience as an advantage,” he says.

To get the most out of your experience abroad, be sure to highlight the cultural fluency and any language you learned while working overseas.

1. You’re moving with the military. Moving around the country is just the nature of being in the military — or being married to someone who is. Recruiters won’t hold this against you. Plus, all the places you’ve lived can be a great conversation starter in interviews.
2. Your company is closing or conducting layoffs. If the company you’re working for is conducting layoffs or closing, it’s certainly acceptable to make a job move. Be sure to note this on your résumé by putting “company closed” or “company conducted layoffs” in parentheses.

1. Job-hopping is the norm in your industry. If you work in an industry where short-term jobs are expected, such as finance, you have nothing to worry about. This is especially true for upper-level candidates who move on after they’ve successfully revitalized an organization

Regardless of your reasons for job-hopping, be honest and stay positive during the interview. Even if you’ve had to change jobs frequently because of corporate layoffs, never disparage a former employer. Keep your integrity intact by smiling and being straightforward about your job transitions, and you’ll show the hiring manager that you’re an upbeat go-getter who’s up for any challenge.

Melissa Cooper is the executive vice president of the writer network of Top Resume, a Talent Inc. company. A triple-certified résumé writer and dual-certified HR professional holding both the SPHR and PHR designations, Melissa has eight years of executive recruiting experience and over six years of professional résumé-writing experience.