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When to job-hop — and when not to
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When to job-hop — and when not to
Are you thinking about quitting your job?
Maybe the culture isn’t the right fit, or your boss is a micromanager, which is affecting your mental health, or this was your plan all along — to quickly ditch your job in pursuit of a higher salary elsewhere.
No matter the reason, you’re not alone: 64% of American workers would rather job hop than ride it out at their current workplace. This might seem like a good idea, or you might be wondering if job hopping is a bad thing. So it’s important to weigh the pros and cons.
Your current boss might not take kindly to you leaving after a few months, harming your chances of getting a reference. And if you job-hop more than once, prospective employers might see it on your resume and worry you’ll do the same to them.
But not all job-hopping is bad. Changing jobs can help you discover what you need as an employee, what kind of work you enjoy, and what challenges you to develop and sharpen your skills.
So what’s the right move for you? Here’s everything you need to know about the job-hopping syndrome.
“Job-hopping” refers to a pattern of leaving workplaces after a short amount of time — usually within one or two years. That could be to switch to a higher-paying position at another company, move somewhere with a better company culture, or find a job in another field. This isn’t inherently a bad thing. But whether or not it hurts your career will depend on a few things:
Job-hopping is growing more popular among younger generations. The average time millennials (1981 – 1996) spend at a job is two years and nine months.
On the other hand, Gen Xers (1965 – 1980) tend to stay at a job for an average of five years and two months. And Boomers (1946 – 1964) are the most committed of the generations: they spend eight years or more in a role.
Usually, younger people leave a job for better working conditions — meaning better pay, benefits, flexibility, and more fulfilling work.
Your personal circumstances will dictate whether changing jobs is the right move. But here are some pros and cons to consider:
BetterUp can help you with your next career move. Our coaches will advise you on how to network, prepare for interviews, and challenge the way you think through each decision. With their help, you supercharge your career development.
Sometimes, job-hopping is acceptable and imperative for your health and well-being.
Here are some examples to consider:
The above examples are good reasons to leave a workplace, but you have to be confident in your decision. Here are some tips to consider for your departure:
If your resume shows three jobs in three years, your interviewer will have some questions. How you answer will shape how they interpret your track record.
Hopefully, you had good reasons to leave. If you left due to a poor work environment, career change, or layoffs, you can feel more at ease in the hot seat. But if you left because you were bored or couldn’t get what you wanted, you might have a harder time presenting a story that makes you look good.
In either case, you need to own your work history. Talk about the positive experiences, what you learned from each position, and why you’re looking for a change.
It also helps to show enthusiasm for your prospective job and industry. If you’re there for the right reasons, that shouldn’t be difficult. You picked your dream job, made a plan, and now you’re on the cusp of achieving your goal — that’s a lot to be enthusiastic about.
The Job-hopping syndrome isn’t inherently bad. But if you’re doing it for the wrong reasons, it makes progressing in your career harder.
If you’re considering leaving your current employment after less than a year, make sure you know why. Take your time before making a decision. Before leaving, make sure that a new job is truly what you need.
Only you know your list of deal-breakers. And if you don’t, now is the time to identify them. When you understand your boundaries and what you need from an employer, you’ll have an easier time finding a better job.
BetterUp can help you navigate your career path. Our coaches are here to give you career advice, quiz you on your plan, and guide you through the saturated job market.
Get your promotion. Make your career change. Build the future you dream about. And do it faster with a world-class BetterUp Coach by your side.
Get your promotion. Make your career change. Build the future you dream about. And do it faster with a world-class BetterUp Coach by your side.
Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships.
With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.
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