Being Loyal to your employer has it's benefits.

Most employers want staff that they can nurture. This means they want to train them, building on their skills and their abilities so that they perform well for the company now and in the future.

This nurturing can be quite expensive with regular appraisals, Training sessions with consultants, away days, team building sessions etc. Employers pay for these things because they see investing in you and your skills as ultimately an investment for themselves and the future of their business. They are also aware that employee's want to be nurtured and valued and not just paid' for their services.

It's expensive

If an employer hires you and commits to nurturing you, if you leave after 2yrs or whatever, they have to start again from scratch, nurturing another employee who will then take a further two years to be as valuable to them as you are now. Additionally the recruitment process is very costly and time consuming.

Employers are reluctant to invest money in people that seem likely to leave them within a short period. They want employees to be loyal at work for their company and grow with them as their business grows.

An employer might have concerns about your loyalty at work if you:

Have changed jobs frequently
Are in your 20's or younger
Lack work experience.
Are over qualified for the job you are applying for

If you are in categories 2,3 and 4 as seen above you need to reinforce your skills and demonstrate through research a genuine interest in the company you are applying for. You need to exude enthusiasm for the post and let that shine through in your CV and covering letter.

What do I do if I have changed jobs frequently?

Because of the reasons stated above, employers are not keen to invest their time, money and energy in an employee who seems likely due to their previous job history to up and change jobs after a short period of time. They want staff on their team who will devote their energies to them.

But..there is hope!

This does NOT mean however that if you've changed jobs a lot in the past, that your Cv will automatically end up in the bin! How you explain your frequent job changes on your CV is all-important as is the need to demonstrate that you will be loyal at work for them!

How do I explain my job changes on my CV?

If you have changed jobs frequently, first of all ask yourself why you were not loyal at work:

What was your genuine motive for not wanting to stick around and build a career for yourself with those companys?

Was it due to conflict?
It wasn't your desired career just a means to an end?
It was too far to get to costly travel
You were on a short contract
You were offered training but never received any?
It was work experience Etc.

When you have your answers, try to summarize them in one or two lines in a way that reflects a positive reason for your departure and how those jobs were stepping-stones on route to this new employer.

When you have these explanatory notes for leaving each job, include them on your CV (hence the need to keep it brief). These reasons clearly displayed will answer the questions the employer will have as to why you changed jobs so frequently and also (depending on what you write) reassure them that you are capable of being loyal at work. All they need to decide then is whether you are capable of being loyal at work for them.

How can I reassure them I will be loyal at work for them?

In the covering letter that accompanies your CV you need to state the reasons why you specifically want to work for their company and build a future with them. State that you intend to be loyal at work and welcome everything their company has to offer in terms of training, career progression etc. Research the company before you apply so you can properly demonstrate that you have a genuine interest in their organization.

Summary:

Provide short reasons on your CV as to why you left each job.
Tell the employer in the covering letter why you want to work for them and stay with them if hired.

Finally

If you are offered an interview, you have impressed the employer despite your frequent job changes, lack of work history, young age etc. so all you need to do then is reassure them when you attend the interview you want to be loyal at work for them!