Hi duhdude, you don't have to feel pessimistic. We all understand that retrenchment could not be helped esp when the economy's not doing well. Just be honest with the interviewer on what happened, they usually understand your situation. As a matter of fact, the company had viewed your resume and then call you up for interview. It could mean that they are more interested in your experience and what you have to offer for the company - rather than the fact you were retrenched twice.

And since we're at it, why didn't you stay in a company for more than 2 years (not the closed down ones)?

Hmmmmm~ *thinks hard*

I agree with my friend who also seems to think that it's not a good idea to job hop often because it doesn't look appealing in resume, plus you lose the seniority of benefits in your company (and also bonus sometimes). Furthermore, very often we only acquire higher skills when manager/ boss delegate some of their work down... but that'll usually only happen when you've worked long enough to understand aspects of the company and they believe you can handle the task/ responsibility.

But staying at one place limits one's innovatiness and (maybe) much needed challenge or work environment.

In your case, it's really hard to explain. If i'm you - the company that I didn't learn anything, I'll just take it out of the resume and cite that I took a long break sumwhere or took the time to learn something... j/k. Anyway, forget bout the 2 comp that retrench u. Focus on the other 3 - you can say you did not expect (it's true) that 2nd comp retrench. You wanted more challenges from your 1st job, and didn't knew it would happen otherwise.

Mention afterthat you found a job in 3rd company (after retrench), but unfortunately there were heavy politics and it puts you in crossroad, which brings you to the 4th job. In your 4th job, work were not delegated to your properly and low staff involvement. You are unhappy to be not 'part' of projects and discussions (but if this is true, make sure you also explain to interviewer the action you took - eg. spoke/ explain to boss of the prob but boss didn't care etc). You find that work is supposed to be a 'team work' and with low or no involvement, you don't feel like you belong there. The expectation was different.

Actually it isn't difficult to BS your way (like I did above). Interviewers want a reason to believe, so give them one. You can use "pity" and "different perception" to show why you left those comp. Make yourself sound like a 'victim' in these cases (tho in actual it may be your attitude and expectation towards work that needed a reality check).

Maybe it's a good chance to take a good look at yourself and criticize in all ways. Also check on what sort of job you enjoy and want (with experience in 5 companies, I'm sure you somehow or rather, have a picture), to which you'll be able to last at least up to 2-3 years. My advice is this: if you think this job suits you and you want it, make a pledge not to quit no matter what until you've met your target. Eg. You plan to stay in this comp at least 2 years, so don't leave before that (unless things got really really bad).