37% of HR managers say job hopping is a warning sign – how to explain it

When hiring managers look for candidates, 54% say they're looking for someone who is willing to learn and improve their skills, according to a recent LinkedIn survey of 1,024 hiring managers. Nearly half (48%) give special consideration to candidates who can start as soon as possible, and 40% to candidates who are willing to work in the office full-time.

On the other hand, there are also resumes that turn off hiring managers. More than a third (37%) said they may stop applying for the role if they see that a candidate changes jobs frequently. They think, “If you were only there for nine months, maybe you'll only stay here for nine months,” says LinkedIn career expert Drew McCaskill.

Almost as many (34%) said that a directionless career path might make them hesitate before moving forward.

No matter what the reason your resume is a little disjointed, here's how to show recruiters and hiring managers that you're still a good fit for the job.

It is not uncommon for someone to list several types of jobs on their resume and to have worked in some of them for a short period of time.

Maybe you weren't sure if you wanted to go into sales or marketing when you first started your career, so you tried both. Maybe you had to quit your job to care for a sick relative for a year during the pandemic. Maybe your previous company had layoffs.

You “just have to have an explanation for why” this was your trajectory, McCaskill says.

Your resume summary above the Experience section provides an opportunity to connect your various professional experiences or explain any gaps that exist. The About section of your LinkedIn profile is another opportunity to craft your narrative and tell recruiters “how the things you've done have made you the professional you are today,” McCaskill says. You can also explain it to them in your interview.

“Career gaps don't have the same negative impact they did five years ago,” he says, as an example. “Especially if you have a really succinct reason for them.” Tell them you were caring for your elderly parent, you took a year off to improve your mental health – whatever it is.

If you've moved between industries or worked in different positions for short periods of time, you can say, “These are the things I took from each of those experiences that make me really well qualified for the position now,” says McCaskill, adding that you should “explain it like it's an advantage.”

Whatever you do, don't give them any reason to think you did something wrong, he says. “Don't apologize for it.”

Want to land your dream job? Take CNBC's new online course How to master your job interview to find out what HR managers really pay attention to, what body language techniques they use, what they should and should not say, and how best to talk about salary.

Also sign up for Newsletter from CNBC Make It to get tips and tricks for success in your career, with money and in life.