Pros and Cons Of Job Hopping Every 12 Months
Job hopping has become a staple of the professional world post-Covid and there are good reasons for that. In this article, we get into the pros and cons of job hopping every year and how you can make job hopping work for you.
Skill Diversification
Frequently changing jobs allows you to acquire a broader skill set by exposure to different industries, roles, and responsibilities. For example, an individual moving from marketing in the tech sector to sales in the healthcare industry gains insights into the nuances of different markets. This exposure enhances their ability to analyze and adapt to varying business landscapes.
In each new role, we encounter fresh challenges that necessitate adapting quickly and efficiently. This continual adjustment hones essential skills and fosters a flexible mindset that can be applied across various scenarios. I was working with a client recently who wanted to look for a new role because they were tired of their team, loved the work but weren't engaged with the people. So, through job hopping, they changed teams which helped develop my client’s skill in how to manage a different team with diverse work cultures and methodologies.
Higher Earning Potential
There is never a better time to jump your salary than when starting a new role. If done correctly, switching jobs frequently can lead to increased earning potential. It’s important to stay informed about market salaries to ensure you get the most competitive compensation you can. If you need help with negotiations, a good career coach can help you create the language to advocate for yourself and role play the negotiation with you to increase your confidence.
Expanded Network
In careers, WHO you know is just as important as WHAT you know. Job hopping can be a great way to widen your professional network if you are genuine and intentional with your interactions with diverse colleagues and industry contacts. With a strong network, you can leverage it for job referrals and collaborative opportunities later on.
Fast Career Progression
Lastly, moving to new roles frequently might provide quicker opportunities for career advancement, particularly when promotions are limited in a current position. The key here is being able to show skill and ability development through tangible achievements to support this progression. You can’t simply keep moving up without showing value add to an employer so be sure your resume is reflecting all your learned and lived experiences of your previous roles to support your promotion.
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Lack of Stability
We’ve started with the pros of job hopping but there are plenty of cons you need to consider before hopping on this trend. One of the potential downsides of job hopping is a lack of stability. Now, for some folks, they are comfortable with instability but many people would prefer to have a bit more stability in their careers.
With job hopping, you might be challenged to find a sense of belonging and job security in a constantly changing environment- let alone, have the time to develop meaningful relationships at work. So, consider what you want from work and if job hopping is going to prevent you from the things you value most.
Limited Skill Mastery
Spending only a short time in each job might prevent you from fully mastering the skills required for a particular role, and again, building relationships with people/seeing projects to their end. Depending on the type of person you are, this may or may not impact your long-term career growth, and most importantly, job satisfaction. So, consider if it is important to you to see a project come to completion and how long you need to be in a role to feel “accomplished”.
Negative Perception
While younger generations are comfortable with job hopping, that doesn’t mean hiring managers are. Some senior HR folks or hiring managers view serial job hoppers as lacking commitment to industry and potentially unreliable as long term employees. So, you’ll want to effectively communicate your reasons for job changes during interviews and alleviate any concerns a future might have about you.
Reduced Company Benefits
Ok, here is my Mom moment, but you need to seriously consider adult things you get from work and job hopping effects- e.g. 401k, insurance benefits, PTO, etc. Many companies have a minimum length of service before you are entitled to some of these benefits. Job hopping might mean missing out on long-term benefits like retirement plans, stock options, and extended leave that often come with more extended tenures. Unfortunately, nothing you can do about this, you just need to know this going in and plan accordingly with things like a Roth IRA.
Final Thoughts…
There is never a one size fits all plan to career decisions so your choice to engage in job hopping or not must be specific to you and your needs. Consider taking some time to define your long-term career objectives and evaluate job opportunities based on how well they align with those goals. I’d also encourage you to research and assess potential employers' company culture, values, and growth opportunities before making a move. Grass is indeed sometimes not greener on the other side!
Good luck in whatever you decide to do. Either way, make sure you are taking jobs that offer potential for skill development/growth and a space to create a strong professional network you can use for years to come.
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Meet The Writer!
Hi! My name is Nadia Ibrahim-Taney and I help people design happy and fulfilling careers through authentic career coaching. My expertise includes career exploration guidance, resume writing, interview prep and LinkedIn profile optimization. My pronouns are She/ Her/ Hers and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I focus on how diverse identities impact and influence folks holistically and professionally. Please connect with me on LinkedIn or at Nadia@beyonddiscoverycoaching.com
