Canadians are spending less and less time in their jobs, with only 30 per cent staying at any one job for more than four years, compared to 60 per cent in 2002, according to the latest THINKOPOLIS report from Workopolis. In addition to shorter tenure times we’re also changing jobs more frequently; 48 per cent of those surveyed reported having three or more distinct career paths entirely.

“Job hopping is becoming an increasingly common pattern in Canada’s employment market,” said Tara Talbot, VP of HR for Workopolis. “While historically it may raise a red flag, in today’s market it can also demonstrate unique qualities, such as broad industry perspective, flexibility and an inclination towards hard-work and risk-taking—all sought after assets in a candidate.”

Why are we changing jobs more than ever before? The report reveals the top reasons Canadians leave their jobs with a poor working relationship with their boss as the top motivator, followed by boredom, better opportunities, and poor fit/work culture. Given the increase in job-hopping, the experts at Workopolis have also included tips for transitioning to a new job field, including highlighting transferrable skills and demonstrating a willingness to start at a lower level and working your way up.

When it comes to finding a new job, the report also revealed that almost 60 per cent (59 per cent) of employers spend just 11 seconds on their initial scan of resumes, with nearly 80 per cent not making the cut. “Eleven seconds is little more than the blink of an eye – you really have one shot,” says Talbot.  “Without referrals or a chance in-person meeting, having the right resume is more important than ever for job-seekers. To help land their next job, we’ve put together our top tips for Canadians on how to survive the 11-second scan, including using shorter, attention-grabbing skill based formats.”

As we enter into the second quarter of 2014, the key economic indicators that Workopolis watches closely are all pointing towards a steady increase in employment for the coming months. Still, the Canadian national unemployment rate has hovered around the 7 per cent level, indicating that there are still many people looking for work.

“The key for Canadian job seekers will be having a realistic understanding of the current job market and being flexible enough to make informed career moves,” says Talbot.

Top reasons Canadians have for leaving their job
37 per cent – My relationship with my boss
29 per cent – I was bored, unhappy with the work
20 per cent – I found a better opportunity
14 per cent – Poor fit with the culture / coworkers

How many career paths have Canadians had?
31 per cent – I’ve always worked in the same field
21 per cent – I’ve switched careers once
35 per cent – Three or four different kinds of jobs
13 per cent – More than four career paths

How often do Canadians negotiate new job offers? 
51 per cent – I accept the job as offered
23 per cent – I negotiate for a better deal on the spot
26 per cent – I consult with experts before responding

Tips for Job Seekers Transitioning Into a New Job Field 

• Research the industry to ensure you know the challenges, trends and jargon used. Even without experience, you still want to come across as knowledgeable.
• Tailor your skills and accomplishments to the specific needs of the industry that you are targeting.
• Highlight your transferable skills that are in demand across industries, such as communications, leadership, and problem solving.
• Be prepared to start at a lower level and work your way back up.

Resume Tips for Surviving the 11-Second Scan 

• Don’t open with a wordy paragraph about what you are looking for. Start with a skills summary of what you can offer employers instead.
• Use short sentences and paragraphs with bulleted lists for maximum readability.
• List your work history with clear start and end dates in a consistent format in reverse chronological order.
• Proofread. An obvious spelling mistake or typo will get your resume rejected in less than 11 seconds.

Founded in 2000, Workopolis is Canada’s leading career site helping employers and candidates connect with each other online. In addition to the millions of monthly visitors to www.workopolis.com, Workopolis reaches users across the web through exclusive partnerships and community sites as well as through innovative use of social networking sites and mobile optimization. Canadian owned and operated, Workopolis is an equal partnership between Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation, and Square Victoria Digital Properties Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Power Corporation of Canada.