Should You Be Job Hopping or Not?

It’s safe to say that most millennials are job hoppers, but what does that mean? It means younger workers are likely to change jobs every few years rather than stay in one company for longer periods. 

Job hopping can enhance your career if done right, according to CareerBuilder it depends on the industry you are in - some industries have a higher ‘’frequency of job-hopping than others’’ For example:

•Information Technology – 42% were likely to leave within 1 to 2 years.
•Manufacturing – 32% were likely to leave within 1 to 2 years.
•Transportation – 37% were likely to leave within 1 to 2 years.
People hop for different reasons; it could be because of a desire for a career change or simply because there are better opportunities elsewhere. 

How Job Hopping Translates in The Eyes of an Employer
According to research, results show that most companies are still skeptical about hiring job hoppers, they fear that they might not get the return on investment in hiring you simply because they value longevity. The longer you stay at your current job the more loyalty you are deemed to be showing to the company. 

On the other hand, (some) employers and recruiters appreciate the wide range of skills and experience that the job hopper is exposed to. ‘You might have the right mix of skills’ 

What You Need to Know About Job Hopping:
Advantages: 
•Pay rise
Job hopping might be the quickest way to increase your earnings. You might find a job that offers a better salary or more interesting benefits than your current position. According to Payscale, an average increase one can get is up to 3% per year whereas alternating between jobs can get you 10% – 20% per year. 

•Skills Development
Learning new skills in a new role can broaden your knowledge and expertise which will, in turn, make you more employable in the future. Your skills will be accentuated as you will be exposed to new challenges, different companies/industries, and dealing with different clients. This can give you a professional advantage. 

 •Powerful Network
It can be tricky to grow your network when you work with the same people year after year. The more companies you work in, the larger your network of professionals will become. Networks are important in today’s competitive industry. They can yield better career opportunities. 

Disadvantages: 
• You may seem unreliable
It may suggest that you are not good at your job or are a quitter? Hiring companies could assume that you get bored easily. If the employer is looking for a loyal employee, they may think twice before offering you a job if you’ve job hopped quite a lot. 

•First in the cutoff line
Job security is an important factor to take into consideration, especially in today’s economy. Based on your job record, when a company has to lay off employees you may be the first to get retrenched. Employees who have been serving the company for many years may have an advantage over you. 

•Longevity
Employees are important in any running business therefore companies can be reluctant in hiring someone who has a pattern of changing jobs frequently. Employee turnover is generally expensive and companies would like to keep it as low as possible. It makes sense to invest money and training in someone who will stay rather than someone who will leave after a few months or years. 

‘Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.’ Confucius

So, To Hop or Not?
Always remember your career goals if you are considering another job and ask yourself, what long-term impact this will have on your career. 

If you need some advice, Communicate Personnel is a specialist recruitment agency with the very best recruiters. Our committed consultants dedicate hours of work to each candidate to understand your value, strengths, and skills. We would love to work with you, apply now!