Written by Andie Dumond, Recruiter
The job market has seen quite a bit of volatility since 2020 due to economic shifts and global events that have impacted career trajectories for individuals across nearly every industry. As a result, many professionals have been impacted by layoffs, have made difficult personal choices, or have taken on short-term/contract opportunities to bridge employment gaps.
While shorter stints in an employment history may be completely valid and strategic, they can sometimes raise concerns with hiring teams who view short-term employment as a red flag indicating a lack of commitment. In the current job landscape, it’s important to understand how to proactively address short-term roles on your resume and throughout the hiring process to put your best foot forward.
On Your Resume/LinkedIn Profile
Your resume and LinkedIn profile are the first places to provide context to short-term employment.
If a role was contract or project-based, a simple “(Contract)” next to your title is often all it takes to clarify the nature of the position. This signifies to hiring teams that the role was intended to be limited term and was successfully completed.
Similarly, if a position ended due to circumstances beyond your control, such as layoffs, it’s appropriate to add “(Impacted by layoffs)” following your title.
These brief, transparent notes help reassure prospective hiring teams that shorter tenures were not the result of poor performance or impulsive decision-making.
Discussion With Your Recruiter
During initial conversations with a recruiter, you may be asked about your reasons for leaving previous roles. This is a key opportunity to share any special circumstances that influenced your career trajectory beyond what is listed on your resume.
Whether the position or company was simply not the right fit, or you had to step away for personal reasons like caring for a family member or taking a leave of absence—this is the time to provide that context.
Sharing these details with your recruiter ensures they can effectively advocate for you to the hiring team, providing a full picture of your career journey.
During the Interview
Like your earlier conversation with your recruiter, the hiring team may also ask why you left a previous role. While your recruiter may have already provided this context, this is your chance to share in your own words.
During these conversations, it’s important to remain professional and focus on the facts. Even if you feel strongly about how a position ended, avoid speaking negatively about a former employer. Maintaining a positive, factual tone will help reflect maturity and professionalism.
Similarly, avoid over-sharing personal details, even if the conversation feels casual. Keep the focus on the key factors that impacted your circumstances, and steer clear of venting or going off-topic.
Like most things in life, honesty truly is the best policy when looking to address short stints in your employment history. Being transparent about the circumstances that led to a brief role can help prevent hiring teams from making assumptions and gives you the opportunity to provide a clear, honest explanation. Providing context up front helps hiring teams see the full picture of your career journey.
If you have specific questions about your unique circumstances or need advice as you navigate your job search—drop us a line! The Carex team is here to help.
And for additional resources to support your job search, check out our Career Pivot Checklist.