How many companies / working places did you change during your life?

I have been doing that lots this year, because the contracts are short, and because my situation do not allow me to accept certain contracts. Many of my friends are still with the same workplace for the last 30 years, not joking one bit. Bosses are OK when they hear that one stops working because the contracts have finished. (One learns lots from working for different companies.)

I was one that was taught to find an job and stick with it for a while. The way they looked at it back then was it showed that you were a dependable employee. Now a lot of companies see it as the more places you work, the more experience you have. I for one sometimes wish that I would have more job opportunities. Even after going to college, I could not find anything because I did not have the work experience in that field. The main reason I stuck with the job as long as I did, was I knew it was a steady income and I had a family to take care of. I think there has to be a middle to it, most people anymore changes jobs a lease once every 5 years, if you can try to find a place that you can maybe grow with the company, but don't settle for just anything. If you see you will never get anywhere in a job, move on. I would just try to stay at one place a little longer then what your doing.

The issue you bring up is very true. You must find a good reason for why you left these companies and didn't stay long. Or leave some off your resume all together. No way to change it after it's done. I have worked for several but usually stayed at the bigger names one for several years. Big life changes is about the only good excuse and can only be used once or twice.

I believe people should do extensive research on the company they are applying to work for and check out any employee reviews. It is always good to have a fair amount of knowledge about a company you hope to work for, as it may not be what you hoped it would be.