Why have I been through so many jobs by Tony Green?

Yes, my resume lists the many jobs I have had since I left the Navy over 13 years ago.   I take some solace since, in many cases, I needed to move on and obtain other positions sooner than later since my family relies on me to keep the bills up to date. Through all of my professional turmoil I am current with my mortgage; own both of my vehicles and my children are finished with their braces. In another sense, I am embarrassed since, in many cases; if you are laid off someone else has been chosen to keep around rather than you. More ever when you interview for the next position no one asks the company why they let you go. You always need to explain why they should hire you.

My longest stint between positions was nine months which was during the depth of the latest recession while my shortest lapse was six weeks from leaving the previous position to my first day at the new job. I cannot blame my previous employers in every case. Can I be at fault? Perhaps, or there may be other factors out of my control.  

During the interview process misrepresentations exist on both sides. The interviewee is pressed to get back to work so a strong tendency exists to tell the prospective employer what he/she wants to hear. On the other hand, if I can be honest, the reasons the employer are looking to hire is to get someone deal with tasks they would prefer not to deal with. Think of the issue this way, if a boss had a function which he/she truly enjoyed would they be thinking about bringing in someone else?

Therefore, it is of no surprise by the first ninety days on the job after the employee gains a full understanding for what they were hired for and the employer’s tactic to hide the true nature of the position has resulted in disillusionment on both sides.

I wonder if my resume would look better having longer gaps between positions and being employed at those positions for more time rather than having held more positions with shorter terms of employment.

My sister once told me she believes the career I seek is waiting for me. I think there is something out I am ideally suited for, a destiny I am not fulfilling by passing through various positions with limited possibility for growth.   If only I didn’t need to pay my mortgage every month. Perhaps, I could explore my full potential without ignoring my responsibilities as a father and a husband.  Will you hire me if she’s wrong and I never find the perfect position?