Last week we looked at the meaning of the term job hopping, and why it can be seen as something negative. This week however we’re going to look on the brighter side. As long as you aren’t changing roles too often and are able to strike a good balance on your CV, there are plenty of reasons it might make sense to job hop at some point during your career.
Higher salary. It’s an unfortunate fact that some employers aren’t great at awarding pay rises when they’re due, so many employees will prefer to switch roles rather than wait for a bonus or salary increase that may never come. Plus, the remuneration increase that comes with switching roles is often more significant than a pay rise that will be awarded by an employer, which generally simply keeps pace with inflation.
Career advancement. If you’re an ambitious sort, it can be frustrating to sit around and wait for a promotion, especially if you feel more than ready to take on additional responsibility. Changing jobs allows employees the chance to take on a more senior role at a time they feel ready, rather than allowing the decision to rest in someone else’s hands. And if you feel this way, research suggests you’re certainly not alone – in the past 12 months, there’s been a 200% increase in people Googling the term ‘work progression’!
New skills and experience. Switching roles demands that we adapt to new environments, people, and ways of working, all of which can be highly beneficial for personal and professional development. An employee who has experience in different sectors and has worked on varied projects may well have the edge over someone who has stayed with the same company for a number of years.
Relationship building. Employers highly value soft skills such as communication, adaptability, and general relationship management with colleagues. Every time you switch roles, it means you’re building a whole new set of connections and forging friendships that allow you to work as part of a team, and boosting your emotional intelligence. This is a sign of someone with great people skills, who isn’t intimidated by new challenges.
Ultimately, whether job hopping is a help or hindrance to your career will depend on the justifications behind it, and how well you’re able to convey these to recruiters or potential employers. For example, if you only leave roles to attain responsibility and benefits that simply weren’t attainable at your previous position, almost everyone will be understanding of this. It’s also important to keep check of your own behaviour – if you find yourself quickly feeling dissatisfied in a new position or are tempted to run at the first sign of trouble, this is an indication that you might be in the wrong job, or that you need to start communicating your needs more effectively. We’re all responsible for our own career paths, and few people make the decision to job hop lightly. Rather, it takes bravery, honest introspection, and planning. As long as you’re making careful choices that you know will bring greater happiness and your CV tells a cohesive story about your professional journey, there’s no reasons job hopping should stand in the way of your success.