How good is frequent changing of jobs for career growth.

While some people say that job-hopping can increase income, refine skills and improve learning opportunities, others claim it can have a negative impact on your career trajectory. How do we decide what’s the best path for our career?

Jayesh, a 38-year-old corporate mid-level executive, recounts his experience by saying how he stayed with the same company for years until Covid disrupted his professional life. He explains how after the pandemic, he had to change jobs frequently to make up for the two years he lost to the Covid outbreak. Like many individuals, he could not experience growth during that tumultuous period.

“There are two sides to every story. If I describe my journey, I served my previous company for a really long time. However, the moment Covid hit, many individuals, irrespective of their industry, had to face major salary cuts. My situation was no different. Probably why, after two years, when I got an opportunity to move from the position of area head to western India head as a corporate manager, I immediately jumped into it. From handling a single unit, I started managing and overseeing the workings of multiple units. And the amount of growth I experienced within a month of joining assured me that I had taken the right step,” says Jayesh.

Just five months into his then-new company, his urge to grow further landed him another incredible job offer, and that’s when Jayesh found the courage to switch jobs for the second time in quick succession. Consequently, his growth prospects multiplied. From being the western India head, he became the India head at another company.

He further adds, “In my case, these frequent jumps led to favourable outcomes, but that doesn’t mean it will work the same way for me or you in the future. Nonetheless, I feel you lose a bit of credibility when you leave a company during your probation period. If you continue with such a pattern, you might experience growth, but over time, you may end up losing your credibility. Hence, achieve the right balance between the two – job-clinging and job-hopping.”

So, how often should you change?

A leading job search portal and talent management platform, opines that in today’s continuously evolving job market, there is no universal standard for the frequency of job change. “The traditional notion of lifelong employment has given way to a more diverse approach, with some professionals opting for frequent job shifts and others choosing longer tenures. Several factors influence the decision, such as growth prospects, learning potential, industry trends and compensation trends. Personal and professional goals play an important role in determining whether a change is beneficial,” states the platform.

The 2022-23 Appraisal Trends Report shows that more than 30% of individuals surveyed prefer staying in their current roles after an appraisal. They have cited team-leading opportunities, positive office culture and ongoing learning opportunities as some of the factors responsible for their decision to continue at the same firm. But 76% of the employees expressed their openness to considering a job change based on their current appraisal results.

“With the job landscape constantly evolving, individuals must carefully consider their unique circumstances to strike a balance between stability and change as companies are increasingly turning cautious while hiring.” Adds another career coach and HR expert..

?Which fields are more flexible to job change, and which aren't?

With the emergence of newer work models such as contractual hiring, gig jobs and remote work, the job market has undergone a massive change. These days, a large number of recruiters prioritise a candidate’s skill over everything else, even their recruitment history.

“It is important to be aware that this is no one-size-fits-all model as different norms hold true for different industries. For instance, medical and teaching fields may be comparatively less receptive to job-hoppers than others considering the longevity of projects and field work involved. Moreover, recruiter preferences across industries may vary with some companies prioritizing loyalty over other factors,” states the platform.

How can changing jobs help you advance in your career?

In the opinion of experts, there are areas where individuals can transition into more lucrative careers by upskilling and leveraging transferable skills. “Switching to a different company within the same industry can also be a strategic move. Such transitions can provide access to environments that provide room for growth, offer greater responsibilities and better remuneration packages.”

However, it is advised to the individuals to “conduct research on sectors with promising growth, understand the trajectory of the chosen field, and evaluate the company's stability” to make a well-informed decision. Furthermore, it is emphasized on to seek a mentor to gain valuable insights about the industry a person wishes to enter; because not every piece of crucial information is public knowledge.