How many times have you applied for a position or discussed your career options with a recruiter only to be rejected on the basis that your career history doesn’t demonstrate loyalty to a company? If your resume is a litany of short stints at a variety of organizations, don’t despair. You can turn your job-hopping background to an advantage.
What is ‘job hopping?’
‘Job hopping’ is a term coined to describe someone who changes jobs every one to two years (or even more often). Typically, employers seeking committed, loyal candidates have been deterred by ‘job-hoppers’ on the basis that past performance predicts future behavior, but attitudes are changing.
Today’s workforce is more self-centered than in previous generations when thirty years at one company was often the norm. Today’s career isn’t linear; often, workers will change their jobs up to half a dozen times before the age of 30.
While it is still regarded in a dubious light by some employers, used as part of your overall career strategy you can turn your job hopping history to your advantage.
Job-hopping…
Allows you to explore your strengths : Unless you’re one of the fortunate few, it’s unlikely you’ll fall into your dream job at the beginning of your career. By changing jobs frequently early on, you’ll discover not only where your strengths lie but what you actually enjoy doing. It makes much more sense than staying in the same unfulfilling job for years.
Broadens your skills base : It may be a process of trial and error for a while but that process will increase your skill set. By experimenting with several different jobs, you will also understand your transferable skills and demonstrate adaptability to future employers.
Improves your salary : Employers can use a whole range of excuses as to why this year’s pay rise is negligible. Changing jobs frequently generally results in a notable salary increase each time - often up to 20% or more - significantly higher than the 3 to 4% that many industry sectors are seeing. High performers in particular may find job hopping a solution to boosting their market value.
Expands your network : Ultimately, it will be your network, combined with your experience and achievements that will secure your next career move. Job hopping enables you to accumulate an extended and enviable network that you can tap into in the long-term.
Suggests flexibility and a willingness to take risks : While a willingness to take risks won’t be appropriate for all industries, in some cases it may give you that vital edge in comparison to other candidates.
Exposes you to a range of cultures and ideas : Employers will be keen to draw on your expertise and skills gained from a range of working environments. Not only that, your skills will continually be honed and at their peak.
Some careers naturally lend themselves to job hopping. In the fast paced, ever changing world of IT, professionals can gain invaluable experience in a diverse range of cultures and environments by changing jobs on a regular basis. High performers often prefer job hopping as it gives them the opportunity to respond to new challenges within a different company on a regular basis, allowing them to thrive on yet another challenge.
Understanding the basics of job hopping
Employers are becoming more open to the idea of hiring ‘job hoppers’ but there are a few basic guidelines to adhere to:-
Know in advance what you’ll get from every new role : If you are going to change jobs quickly, make sure you have assessed the benefits thoroughly of what you will get out of your next role. What skills and experience will you learn? Can you grow in your next position?
Stay long enough to learn something from every job : You have to take something from it, even if you learn what type of role you don’t want! Moving every year is becoming more acceptable in today’s market but if feasible, aim for around eighteen months
Be prepared to explain every move : It shouldn’t simply be a case of ‘it sounded like a great idea at the time’ (even if it was exactly that). Be prepared to provide recruiters and employers with a credible explanation of why you moved, whether it was to gain more skills, a short-term contract in between other jobs and so on.
You are your most recent job : Unless it was a ‘gap filler’, most employers and recruiters will identify you with the most recent position on your resume. If that isn’t where you see yourself long-term choose your next move wisely. Sideways moves – or even a temporary step back to learn new skills – are acceptable as long as they are part of your long-term plan.
Remain confident : Don’t allow skeptical recruiters to dampen your enthusiasm or flatten your self-esteem. Your job hopping has given you insight and experience that will prove invaluable to a range of employers. Today’s employment market values those who can respond to change positively.
A history of short-term roles isn’t the curse it used to be but some employers still view a job hopping history with a degree of pessimism. Turn it to your advantage next time you encounter a sceptical recruiter or employer.
A recent survey by workforce solutions provider Kelly Services, provides some perspectives/statistics on job hopping in Singapore/Asia Pacific:
- 72% of respondents said they’ll get the same or better position when switching employers.
- 53% believe that in order to develop their skills and advance their careers, it is more important to change employers, rather than remain with their existing employer.
- “The survey reflects a changing attitude from workers, with more seeking to gain new experiences and skills with multiple employers,” said Kelly Services. ”As a sign of the new sense of self-reliance and autonomy seen in today’s workforce, nearly half of all workers (49%) say that even when they are happy in a job, they actively look for better job opportunities or evaluate the job market.”
- The results also showed that 70% consider work experience with multiple employers to be an asset to their career growth and advancement.
- The idea of a ‘career-for-life’ with one employer is regarded as “relevant” by 31% of respondents.
- Employees with professional and technical skills are less attracted to the idea of a career with one employer (28%) than other workers (35%).
