Billionaire CEO shares surprising hiring red flag that you might consider a strength on your resume

Todd Graves, CEO and co-founder of Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, recently spoke about his main hiring red flag: candidates who change jobs frequently, every two to three years. Graves, who has expanded his company to over 800 locations, values loyalty and teamwork in his employees and sees short job tenures as a sign of potential issues with commitment and team orientation.

Frequent job changes raise concerns for employers

Graves explained that candidates with a history of short job stints often raise concerns about their motivations and loyalty. "I question that, because it's like, ‘Are you in it just for you?’” he shared with CNBC Make It. From his experience, job-hoppers can be overly focused on titles and control rather than on contributing to a team environment.

Importance of authenticity and consistency in interviews

In interviews, Graves looks closely for inconsistencies in a candidate’s responses, which he views as indicators of insincerity. “When they're more into title and control versus teamwork, it's a huge red flag for me,” he stated. Graves prioritizes candidates who display genuine enthusiasm for the company and its mission, favoring those with a strong desire to contribute to team success over personal advancement.

Emphasis on teamwork and collective success

The CEO noted a clear connection between success and employees who are invested in the team’s overall success. “When people are invested in the collective success, it makes a huge difference,” Graves said. This emphasis on teamwork reflects Raising Cane’s values and has been a cornerstone in its expansion strategy.

Job-hopping perceptions in today’s job market

While job-hopping has become more common, many hiring managers, including Graves, continue to view it with caution. A LinkedIn survey indicated that over a third of hiring managers hesitate to hire candidates with frequent job changes, citing concerns about the possibility of a quick exit. Drew McCaskill, a LinkedIn career expert, explained that short job tenures can prompt questions about a candidate's stability and long-term commitment: “If you were only there for nine months, maybe you’ll only be here for nine months.”

Strategies for job-hoppers to present experience effectively

Career experts suggest that job-hoppers frame their experience strategically. Rather than listing every position, they recommend using resume summaries or LinkedIn’s "About" section to highlight the skills and experiences gained. When discussing job changes, candidates are advised to focus on how past roles have prepared them for future success, presenting their experience in a way that emphasizes value without appearing defensive.