Is job hopping good for you?

There are a variety of reasons why job seekers today are job hopping from one company to another.

Traditionally, job hopping – the practice of changing jobs within a relatively short span of 2 years – is considered a cause for concern by recruiters. A professional who jumps companies at an alarming pace often leaves a wrong impression. Additionally, the recent increase in job hopping has made some recruiters uneasy.?

On the flip side, are there legitimate reasons why job-hopping is justified or even advantageous??

That is a multi-layered question that deserves observation from different perspectives, especially since many professionals are now looking for alternate career paths.?

It’s important to understand the pros and cons of this trend in order to make the right decision.?

Let’s start with some of the advantages of job hopping:

• Increase your salary significantly:?

According to our latest survey, 76% of professionals explore job opportunities with the expectation of better salaries. Most established companies have fixed pay scales and regulations on salary increments. Hence there are bound to be cases where the gradual increase in salary over a period of time might not be ideal for some employees. If you feel that this situation applies to you, looking out for new job opportunities with varied salary packages might be the right way to go in terms of job hopping.

• Pick up a wide range of skills quickly

Working for different companies could give you access to a diverse spectrum of mentors, resources, and operational processes to learn new things.

• Improve adaptability

When you’re exposed to an entirely different work environment, you start to understand the nuances of the new workspace and remould yourself to fit in.

• Expand your professional network

If you work in different spaces and forge strong relationships with multiple colleagues, there is a lot to be gained. You can leverage these contacts for multiple purposes, including gaining information, getting career advice, improving your prospects, etc.

Now, let’s explore the other side of the discussion – the ways in which job hopping could possibly impact your career negatively.

• Potential employers will doubt your loyalty

Multiple instances of job hopping make a resume look particularly unsavory to recruiters. Such candidates are often seen as flippant, non-committal, disloyal, or at best, a nomad lost in the world of employment.??

• You could get blacklisted

When you quit a job after a particularly short stint, there is a significant probability that you’re not leaving on the best terms. This could be bad for your professional reputation if your soon-to-be former employer is spiteful and well-connected within the industry.

• Affects mental health

New job anxiety is now recognized as a real condition that affects your psychological well-being. This can potentially result in an increased frequency of stress and emotional exhaustion.

• The need to prove yourself continuously

Your long-term colleagues and managers will have a better understanding of your skills and what you bring to the table. But when you join a new company, no one knows what you are capable of professionally. The process of proving your worth through demonstrable effort begins again.

In conclusion, it comes down to your personal goals and preferences. Every professional should assess his or her situation to see what’s important. Is it all about the paycheck for you? Do you prefer job security over the chance to acquire a wide range of skills in different work environments? Can you adapt with ease?

After you’ve figured out what you want and what you don’t, take the leap or stay where you are comfortable.