You’re probably wondering why job hopping is so popular these days. If you’re a millennial or Gen Z employee, you might already have an idea why this is occurring. If you’re not from the mentioned generation, don’t worry. In this article, we’ve outlined all the reasons moving on from a humdrum job means moving toward a more fruitful career path.
What is Job Hopping?
Job hopping is the practice of changing jobs occasionally. Basically, it is the equivalent of spending fewer than two years in a job role rather than committing to it or to a single company for many years. This is a concept that is getting more common despite the initial perception that it is seen as a negative indicator on a resume.
They say a rolling stone gathers no moss. This popular career advice warns workers against the negative effects and risks involved in job hopping. However, if you won’t look for better options, greener pastures stay out of reach. As a result, the majority of employees change jobs due to job dissatisfaction, a desire for a career change, or even the pursuit of a higher salary.
This way of working has a fair share of benefits and drawbacks, which is why it’s such a relevant topic in the labor force today. Continue reading to gain a better understanding of this subject.
The Rise of Job Hopping
Regarding the millennial generation, Gallup reports that “21% [of them] say they’ve changed jobs within the past year, which is more than three times the number of non-millennials who report the same.” On another note, LinkedIn’s Workforce Confidence Index report shows that 25% of Gen Z young professionals are hoping or planning to leave their current job within the next six months.
Something we simply cannot deny about this occurrence is that there is an emotional and practical rationale for workers to switch jobs so quickly. As mentioned earlier, workers have the ambition to either find a fulfilling job or get better pay. Those are just two of the several reasons job hopping is becoming prevalent these days.
Both millennials and Generation Z are more eager for personal growth in the right environment, seeking better alignment with their values, greater job benefits, and more opportunities to learn and climb up the ladder. Therefore, the numbers do not lie when they say job hopping is on the rise.
Pros of Job Hopping
Here are the several advantages of job hopping:
1. You’ll receive higher pay quickly.
The most common reason for professionals to change jobs is higher salary. Most workers would rather switch jobs than wait for a raise from their present company. Thus, changing jobs frequently results in a compensation raise as part of a contract. It’s the quickest approach to increase your earnings.
2. You’ll have a wide range of experience.
Because you’ve worked in a variety of firms and sectors, you’ll learn new skills that you wouldn’t have otherwise gained if you spent your whole career in one. Job hopping is a chance to acquire career growth by learning new skills and experiences.
3. You can adjust quickly.
It’s much easier to adapt and be flexible when you’ve been exposed to a variety of work environments, which are both valuable skills. Shifting from one workplace to another is an opportunity to improve your interpersonal skills when building relationships with your new team.
4. You’ll be informed of more things.
Working in different companies will not only provide you with experience; it will also provide you with new information and resources; all of which can prove beneficial in growing your career.
5. You’ll have a wider network.
Building a network is an important part of a professional’s life. If you leave your employer on good terms, you may be able to use key personnel to help advance your career.
6. You’ll discover more about yourself.
Exposing yourself to various fields allows you to discover your likes and dislikes, your strengths and weaknesses, and your capabilities and limitations.
Cons of Job Hopping
Below are the disadvantages an individual may encounter when job hopping:
1. Your loyalty is questioned.
Employers are cautious of people who swiftly jump from one ship to another. For instance, when a company hires a new employee, it makes a significant investment in that individual. If that new hire leaves for a better chance elsewhere, all that investment will (most likely) go to waste.
2. You might ruin relationships.
If you left your previous employers on bad terms, then you can expect that they won’t have much good to say about you. This can have an impact on your network as well as your references.
3. You need to prove your worth all over again.
You’re back to square one: a new office, a new office culture, and a new group of people whom you need to convince that you’re as good as you say you are.
4. Your work is being closely monitored.
Because you’re the new guy, coworkers and new bosses will constantly look over your shoulder to “check in on you,” which is a nice way of saying, “I’m here to see if you’ve screwed up yet.”
5. You won’t understand your company and your value to it.
When you don’t stay long in one place, there’s no way for you to develop a deeper relationship with the company. You also won’t see the contributions you’ve made for its betterment.
6. You won’t feel satisfaction toward your career.
Endlessly jumping from one company to the next can be exhausting; you’ll lose interest in your career and won’t even realize it until it’s too late.
Download the infographic about the Pros and Cons of Job Hopping.
How to Counter the “Job Hopper” Stigma
Remember that hiring managers are most concerned with making a bad hire. Since the company is going to invest in you, the negative connotation of job hopping is most likely going to affect your application. So how do you clear your interviewer’s mind of worries? Here are tips for explaining why you’ve been job hopping:
- Provide concise but meaningful answers during the interview. This will show your confidence and enthusiasm for the job.
- Present yourself in such a way that your potential employer can see that you’ve acquired relevant skills for your desired job.
- Never vent your emotions over the incident since this will send automatic red flags to your interviewer.
- Explain your career transition in a confident manner. Honesty is key.
- Tell your contributions at each employer, which made you qualified to apply for higher or other positions.
- End your explanations in a positive way so you don’t give off a negative impression to your employer.
A coin has two sides; you must see and weigh both sides. Whether you plan to be a job hopper or not, you must be responsible, accountable, and trustworthy at all times. These qualities will set you apart in the job market. Just make sure you practice answering questions about job hopping to boost your confidence.
Reasons Job Hopping Might Be What Your Career Needs
Short stints in multiple companies may not initially look good on your resume. However, if you have all the right reasons to justify your job hopping, there appears to be nothing wrong with it. Life is a series of changes, and knowing how to adapt to them is a skill to be proud of.
1. Develop Skills Faster
Doing the same thing over and over dulls your skills, so choosing to stay in a job that no longer excites you does you more harm than good.
2. Old Methods are No Longer Effective
While it is true that loyalty to a company pays off, this may not be the case for you. The state of the job market in the past was not at all like what we see now. In order to keep up with a fast-paced job market, technology requires businesses to be more flexible. In this age of mass layoffs and reorganization, you’ll have to deal with unpleasant surprises if you don’t adapt quickly.
3. Give More to Your Next Company
Growing your roots in a single company will not pressure you to grow and learn faster. Job hopping and moving on the spur of the moment keeps you interested in new experiences. Furthermore, your new ideas from other companies will greatly assist the next employer in growing as well.
4. Enjoy Freedom
You’ve probably experienced the feeling of being sick of the routine. It is clearly unhealthy for your mind and body. If it feels that bad, it simply means that your mind is alerting you to the fact that something is causing you to suffer. Drop that thing and come back later if you want; you perform well when you don’t have anything weighing you down.
5. Use Job Networks to Your Advantage
When you change careers, you have the opportunity to meet new people along the way. There is a large untapped job market out there for those who network effectively. When you stay in a company for too long, you meet the same people, so your knowledge of the current job market becomes limited. Continue to expand your network from various companies and show people that you are doing well each time.
Hire an Expert to Write a Job-Winning Resume for Your Job-Hopping Journey
Yes, job hopping is a tightrope walk. However, it gives you the confidence to say that you are making progress toward your goals rather than simply gathering moss. That being said; plan thoroughly and revamp your resume. You can check out our resume examples to help you write your own resume.
If you lack the time to write your resume, have our expert writers write your job hopper resume. Show your worth with an impressive piece of job application document. Resume Professional Writers can skillfully transform your resume into something that will land you the job you want by emphasizing your skills, abilities, and accomplishments. Connect with us! You can even get a free resume review today.
