Are you thinking about job hopping? Here are some pros and cons to consider before making a move.
Job hopping is a growing trend among young professionals and it is now trending for Boomers. Instead of sticking with the same employer for decades, they switch jobs to leverage salary matching or land higher positions faster. Some employees look for new roles almost annually.
But be careful because job hopping comes with several risks. Employers value company loyalty so you’ll have trouble getting hired if your resume only has one-year stints. Let’s weigh the pros and cons of job hopping.
The Pros of Job Hopping
Workers are ditching the notion that they must work with one company throughout their careers and retire from it. They realize that switching employers sometimes offer more benefits. Job hopping could boost your income, expose you to different professionals, and build skill sets.
- Your Take-Home Pay Increases
A typical motivator for job hopping is money. CNBC reports that employees who leverage salary matching and retention offers increase their take-home pay by at least 9.7 percent. Meanwhile, Forbes says standard salaries increase only an average of 4.2 percent. Your income won’t keep up with the rising inflation if you just follow this rate.
Also, note that several factors affect job offers. Hiring managers will consider your skill level, industry experience, contributions, and job responsibilities before matching your current pay. You’d do well to highlight these percentages when negotiating your salary.
- You Can Explore Different Work Environments
Job hopping allows you to explore different work environments. Your employer’s work model, management style, and organizational structure affect your overall performance. Staying with companies that don’t align with your preferences will impede your productivity.
Assess which setups might work for you when switching jobs. Let’s say you spend two hours driving to and from the office. Instead of looking for nearby workplaces, you could explore employers that offer fully remote and hybrid work. That way, you’ll spend less time commuting and more time working.
- Taking on New Roles Builds Skills
Job hoppers develop new skills by taking on different roles. Adapting to various company policies, workflow bottlenecks, responsibilities, and work tools helps you become a well-rounded professional. And a broad range of hard and soft skills makes your resume more impressive.
After acquiring new skills, start integrating them into your workflow to boost proficiency. Skill acquisition gets your foot in the door, but skill mastery enables you to land higher-ranking positions and outclass other applicants.
- Your Network Rapidly Expands
Job hopping allows you to expand your network. You’ll meet colleagues, supervisors, mentors, and executives from diverse backgrounds whenever you switch companies. Take this chance to learn from them. Try gaining insights into industry trends from varying POVs, then see how you can apply them to your work.
- You Become More Courageous and Confident
Many employees tolerate workplace abuse and exploitative managers to secure job stability. The fear of unemployment prevents them from speaking up. While having a fixed income stream is important, sacrificing your employment rights and job satisfaction will cause long-term problems.
One-way workers get over this fear is through job hopping. By looking for work more often, you’ll realize that alternative job opportunities are always available. There’s no reason to stay with abusive employers.
The Cons of Job Hopping
Most workers do well on their first few times switching companies. Salary matching and retention offers exceed the annual raise percentage, plus they get to build new skills. But there are limits to these benefits. Jumping between multiple employers too often could impede career progression and damage your reputation.
- Job Hopping Is a Major Red Flag
One major red flag employer’s look for in candidates is frequent job hopping. It implies a lack of commitment and loyalty. Companies spend significant resources sourcing, onboarding, and training new hires. They can’t invest in people who’ll leave after a few months.
There’s no hard rule on when to start and stop job hopping. But hiring managers might skip applicants who leave jobs annually, especially those who have been through several employers already.
- You Might not Qualify for Internal Promotions
Job hoppers rarely qualify for internal promotions. Their tendency to switch companies every year or two prevents them from gaining adequate tenure. HR managers prioritize experienced, loyal workers when filling job openings.
The same concept applies when employers hire externally for senior roles. They need reliable supervisors who’ll learn the ins and outs of the industry, get along with coworkers and focus on long term company growth.
- References Won’t Have Much to Say About You
Job hoppers rarely have decent references. Supervisors and coworkers will have limited knowledge of your work quality and professionalism if you keep switching companies. And they won’t vouch for you if they barely know you.
For solid references, build strong professional relationships with your coworkers. Strive to have at least two to three colleagues at every company who understand your work ethic, skills, and career progression.
- You Might Develop the Bad Habit of Quitting
Frequent job hopping enables the habit of quitting. It’s empowering to leave exploitative employers, but haphazardly resigning from companies during tough times hampers professional growth. You must learn to overcome your work challenges. The skills and abilities you develop during the process will stick with you throughout your career, improving your employability.
Is Job Hopping the Best Way Up the Corporate Ladder?
Strategic job hopping helps you increase your take-home pay, get promotions, and find fulfilling roles. There’s no reason to stomach employers who don’t value you. Just note that switching companies too often decreases your employability hiring managers might even stop screening you altogether.
If you’re on the fence about leaving your current employer, visualize your goals with a career roadmap. Objectively assess how job hopping will impact you. Make career decisions based on long-term professional and personal development goals rather than fleeting emotions.
Let me help you create your career road map!