Mr. Wonderful is at it again. Yes, Kevin O’Leary recently made headlines for stating the “red flag” that causes him to toss resumes in the trash.
The CNBC article states: “If an applicant’s resume shows them holding multiple jobs over the past two years, I simply put it into the garbage, because we’re not going to look at that person.’”
He goes on to say that a company invests in you and that candidates should — when accepting a job — be prepared to stay for 24 months.
This is where O’Leary and I have a significant disagreement.
Joining a team is a two-way street, but it is not a marriage. Think of it like a dating relationship: Either party can end that relationship at any point. There have been three times in my career where my resume shows three jobs in a 15-month period. For example (dates made up):
Left Job A in April 2010.
Was at Job B from April 2010 - June 2011.
Began Job C in June 2011.
I was at Job A for nearly five years. Is that a “red flag"? Absolutely not. I was at Job B for 14 months. Leaving that soon is a red flag? Without asking the question to the candidate? Nope. Not at all. I say that because I have been there.
Twenty-four months is a long time to stay at a place that treats you poorly, is poorly managed, or is just a bad fit.
Loyalty is earned.
What does this have to do with business?
I, as a consumer or employee, may like your product or service and try it out a few times, but you must earn my loyalty. You must earn my trust.
Break it, and I’m probably not coming back.