The Truth About Loyalty

Mr. Wonderful is at it again. Yes, Kevin O’Leary recently made headlines for stating the “red flag” that causes him to toss resumes in the trash.

The CNBC article states: “If an applicant’s resume shows them holding multiple jobs over the past two years, I simply put it into the garbage, because we’re not going to look at that person.’”

He goes on to say that a company invests in you and that candidates should — when accepting a job — be prepared to stay for 24 months.

This is where O’Leary and I have a significant disagreement.

Joining a team is a two-way street, but it is not a marriage. Think of it like a dating relationship: Either party can end that relationship at any point. There have been three times in my career where my resume shows three jobs in a 15-month period. For example (dates made up):

• Left Job A in April 2010.

• Was at Job B from April 2010 - June 2011.

• Began Job C in June 2011.

I was at Job A for nearly five years. Is that a “red flag"? Absolutely not. I was at Job B for 14 months. Leaving that soon is a red flag? Without asking the question to the candidate? Nope. Not at all. I say that because I have been there.

Twenty-four months is a long time to stay at a place that treats you poorly, is poorly managed, or is just a bad fit.

Loyalty is earned.

What does this have to do with business?

I, as a consumer or employee, may like your product or service and try it out a few times, but you must earn my loyalty. You must earn my trust.

Break it, and I’m probably not coming back.