Raising Cane’s CEO Todd Graves is wary of hiring corporate employees who regularly change jobs every two to three years.
“I doubt that because it’s like, ‘Are you doing this just for you?’ the 52-year-old billionaire said CNBC Make it.
Graves believes that frequent job changes can indicate a focus on personal advancement rather than team goals.
He adds that these candidates often tend to use language they think will impress hiring managers rather than provide honest answers – something he notices by looking for inconsistencies over multiple rounds of interviews.
“If they love title and control more than teamwork, that’s a huge red flag to me,” Graves said.
Raising Cane CEO and co-founder Todd Graves, a 52-year-old billionaire, is wary of hiring corporate staff who regularly change jobs every two to three years
“I doubt that because it’s like, ‘Are you doing this just for you?’ Graven said
Graves prefers passionate candidates who are intrinsically motivated and have a passion for the team. He believes that those who focus on personal advancement, or a “quest for titles,” are less likely to succeed at Raising Cane’s.
“That ends up with our cashiers and fry cooks in our restaurants,” says Graves.
Job hopping has become increasingly common in recent years, especially in tight labor markets. While some career experts argue that a history of job hopping isn’t necessarily harmful, excessive job changes can still raise concerns among hiring managers.
Many hiring managers share Graves’ concerns. A LinkedIn survey found that more than a third of hiring managers are hesitant to hire candidates with a history of frequent job changes.
“Hiring managers may think, ‘If you were only here nine months, you might only be here nine months,’” LinkedIn career expert Drew McCaskill told CNBC in August.
Career experts generally advise against proactively discussing previous jobs unless asked to do so by the interviewer, CNBC reports.
The summary section of a resume or LinkedIn profile is a great place to highlight career experiences.
When asked about the job history, Graves said candidates should focus on future contributions and the value they can bring to the new role.
While some career experts argue that a history of job hopping isn’t necessarily harmful, excessive job changes can still raise concerns among hiring managers.
He added that discussing the skills and experiences gained in previous jobs can help demonstrate their suitability for the current position.
Finally, Graves said you shouldn’t make excuses or apologize for your past job choices. Focus on the positive aspects of your career history and how they will benefit your future.
“Don’t apologize for it,” he said.