Is Job-Hopping Good or Bad? You Be the Judge

For years, job-hopping has been a thing. People did it for various reasons, but typically, it has been frowned upon by some as it appears that the candidate was not stable. Resumes labeled as “job-hoppers” were passed over, and job seekers struggled to land roles they targeted.

Now, with all the changes across industries, from restructuring to layoffs, job-hopping is more prevalent. Especially as GenZ entered the workforce and found challenges with companies not aligned with their values and career aspirations, moving from company to company has become the status quo.

Someone Said It

I came across an article on GeekWire about a software engineer who job-hopped to three large tech companies in three years. In his LinkedIn post, he shared his experiences and the challenges he encountered during his employment with these companies. He seems happy where he is today, but this begs the question: For how long will he be happy? And what happens next?

If you’re considering the impact of job-hopping on navigating your own career journey, let’s look at a few pros and cons.

Pros for Job-Hopping

• Layoffs — this scenario is, without a doubt, a significant factor in any career decision. Sometimes you see it coming, and sometimes you don’t. Either way, you are put in a position to define your next move that can be uncomfortable, immediate, or uncertain. Enough said.
• Restructuring — internal changes can sometimes help you land in a better place if skills alignment is the strategy. If not, it’s anyone’s guess how one could fare in this scenario. At the end of the day, you have to make a decision based on your career goals.
• Revolving Door of Leadership — A huge part of career advancement is working with leaders who understand your strengths and career aspirations. If leaders consistently evolve, your chances of moving your career forward in that particular area may diminish. Working consistently with your leadership team can create champions for your advancement.

Cons for Job-Hopping

• Skills Development- How are you applying and developing in-demand skills? Having consistency to create a body of work leading to business value builds a portfolio that garners more opportunities.
• Portfolio of Work — How are you building a portfolio of work that illustrates your strengths, leadership, and the value you deliver for the company? Doing impactful work aids in developing your leadership and influence, which are markers of a successful career.
• Leadership and Influence —  Taking a leadership course does not create a leader. The ability to effectively lead people by authority or influence comes through applying a series of skills from business, technical, and social domains. It will be challenging to understand your gaps and optimize your leadership skills and how influential you are without some consistency.

The Million Dollar Question: You Be The Judge

There are many variables involved in why a person may job hop or not, with salary being a huge contributor. Knowing your worth is equally important to the impact you deliver as part of your role. Ultimately, your career goals and aspirations should set the foundation for your decisions to ensure you are on track.

Pro Tip: Before embarking on a career path, know the salary ranges by level and location and the barriers to entry.

As you consider your next move, think about what you aspire to achieve and create a high-level plan to support your vision.

Keep In Mind:

• Change is inevitable, and you should endeavor to see the opportunity before pivoting.
• Some decisions will be thrust upon you (e.g., layoffs, etc.), so having a plan B is wise.
• Relationship building is critical to navigating opportunities and resources — water your “people garden” often.

You Be The Judge

So, what’s in your best interest for career growth and success:

A) Job-hopping because the “grass looks greener on the other side”?

OR

B) Having a solid career plan that makes sense of job-hopping to obtain your career goals?

~Stacey

For more career insights - check out my new book series on Amazon called "Career Smarts". The first book, "Career Smarts for College Students: A Practical Guide for Work in the Age of AI ", is now available. Or sign up for updates and insights not on LinkedIn on my website, Career Bluprint .

Stacey Young Rivers, Ph.D. is a talent development leader with expertise in developing strategies to close skills gaps, build talent pipelines, and create internal career mobility models. Dr. Rivers is also a mom, author , and researcher .