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Why Mark Suster is wrong about not hiring job hoppers

pauldix.net

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Re: Why Mark Suster is wrong about not hiring job hoppers

#31

Post by pauldix »

ulrich wrote: post #24

As much as I understand the developers point of view on this, it is different as an entrepreneur. For a startup it is vital to not have half of your companys knowledge walk out the door. This article just says that there are valid reasons why job hoppers can be good employees. Mark Suster doesn't say that you should never change your job, nor does he deny young people to have some more tries for orienatation.

I agree that you don't want half of your company's knowledge to walk out the door. My point was that finding people that are blindly loyal (something you're very unlikely to do) isn't the solution. The solution is to engender an environment that earns loyalty and respect from your employees.

Also, I was really arguing against Mark using it as a filter for ruling out resumes. I just don't think it works in either the positive or negative case. As with most everything in life the answer is more nuanced. If you rule out an entire category of potential employees, you're just limiting yourself.

Re: Why Mark Suster is wrong about not hiring job hoppers

#33

Post by nvoorhies »

rhl wrote: post #11

This reminds me of an article I came across, praising execs working with an 'assignment mentality' rather than lifetime-employment seekers: http://hbr.org/2001/07/the-right-way-to-be-fired/ar/1 What's interesting in this debate is that Mark's own experience isn't where he puts his mouth. He spent the first 8 years of his career at Accenture (which screams failed attempt at making partner -- sorry to be harsh), but dr…

If his leadership is not admirable and he's a case of the problem in question, who better to say "Don't hire someone like me!"?

Re: Why Mark Suster is wrong about not hiring job hoppers

#35

Post by earl »

The reason Mark is an asshole is that he's trying to create / exploit cultural norms to prevent employees acting in their own self interest. Of course it would be optimal (for the employer) to have employees that never leave, but the vast majority of employers treat their employees fairly poorly. Any social bonds such as employers keeping employees around through tight times have long since been shattered since employers have made it abundantly clear they look out only for themselves. Expecting employees to do differently makes you a dick.

Even the basics -- employers expect two weeks after you resign to help transition your responsibilities -- are asymmetric: how many employers would give you an extra two weeks of wages if they fired you to help tide you over until the next job?

Re: Why Mark Suster is wrong about not hiring job hoppers

#36

Post by rokhayakebe »

earl wrote: post #35

The reason Mark is an asshole is that he's trying to create / exploit cultural norms to prevent employees acting in their own self interest. Of course it would be optimal (for the employer) to have employees that never leave, but the vast majority of employers treat their employees fairly poorly. Any social bonds such as employers keeping employees around through tight times have long since been shattered since emplo…

Although I completely disagree with Mark's opinion regarding job hopping, I do not think it is right to call him a a-hole. The guy seems really decent.

Re: Why Mark Suster is wrong about not hiring job hoppers

#37

Post by pauldix »

nickpinkston wrote: post #2

It seems like Paul is only looking at one side of the table: the one to be hired. Certainty, we're all able to switch to better opportunities, but the long term signaling effect says you're not going to be their in tough times. Persistence is key in startups, so I can see why he'd be anxious - as would I.

actually, I'm looking at it from both sides. I'm working on my own startup right now and I hope that I'll be hiring people later this year. My point is that job hopping doesn't factor in as a signal on whether your resume ends up in the interview pile. I'll let you explain in the interview about your experience rather than just assuming that you're a disloyal sociopath that only looks out for themselves.

Re: Why Mark Suster is wrong about not hiring job hoppers

#38

Post by yummyfajitas »

earl wrote: post #35

The reason Mark is an asshole is that he's trying to create / exploit cultural norms to prevent employees acting in their own self interest. Of course it would be optimal (for the employer) to have employees that never leave, but the vast majority of employers treat their employees fairly poorly. Any social bonds such as employers keeping employees around through tight times have long since been shattered since emplo…

Most professional employers give severance pay, usually well in excess of two weeks.

Re: Why Mark Suster is wrong about not hiring job hoppers

#40

Post by ccc3 »

earl wrote: post #35

The reason Mark is an asshole is that he's trying to create / exploit cultural norms to prevent employees acting in their own self interest. Of course it would be optimal (for the employer) to have employees that never leave, but the vast majority of employers treat their employees fairly poorly. Any social bonds such as employers keeping employees around through tight times have long since been shattered since emplo…

Asshole? Dick? What's the point of that language. Mark's free to hire (or invest) however he wants and you're free to not work with him. Even though I have my disagreements, I found it very useful to hear Mark's perspective on hiring. There are a lot of people who share his philosophy and you're better off understanding it.

On the asymmetry of loyalty, it's just basic economic incentives. An individual has to be much more concerned about what their former employer says about them than a company does about what a single former employee says. It may not be perfectly 'fair,' but that's just the way the world works.

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