Not long ago, people would secure a job with a company and stay there for the majority of their career, potentially even working for a single organization until they retired. Today, professionals approach their careers differently, and often switch jobs at least a few times as they move up the ladder.
Millennials are particularly open to changing employers. However, if your tenure with each organization is short, you may be labeled a job hopper, and that isn’t always ideal.
Figuring out how often is too often when it comes time to switch jobs isn’t always easy. Plus, each company may view your job changes differently, adding to the confusion. If you want to make sure you are not switching jobs too often, here are some points to consider.
Is the New Job Actually Better?
Before you move on to something new, it’s important to determine if that opportunity is actually better. While it may come with a higher salary or elevated job title, is it also providing more chances to advance or develop your skills? Have you really learned all you can from your current employer? Does the position remedy an unsolvable issue, like a poor cultural fit in the job you have today?
Essentially, you want to evaluate what you may be leaving behind fully as well as what the new opportunity has to offer. This will help you determine which option is likely better for your long-term career goals and not just what seems better today.
Are You Staying At Least Three Years on Average?
When a company hires a candidate, they are often looking for individuals they can invest in and receive a return for their efforts. That is why having a somewhat stable history plays in your favor.
In an ideal world, you want to stay with each employer for at least three years. If that can’t always happen, you need to be able to explain why you left more quickly in a way that can reassure the hiring manager you don’t view that as the norm for your career.
A series of incredibly short tenures – usually anything under a year – may be viewed as a red flag by hiring managers. While having it happen once won’t typically work against you, several fast moves may look like a pattern of impulsivity, so you want to avoid that whenever possible.
Before you make a move, you need to consider how the job change may look in the hiring manager’s eyes. Try to be smart about your job changes, only taking on something new when it is beneficial to your long-term career goals. Impulsivity will work against you in time, so make sure you fully consider how a short tenure may look and if the other opportunity is worth the risk.
If you would like to learn more, the team at The Advance Group can help. Contact us to speak to an experienced member of our staff today and see how our career management expertise can benefit you. If you want to check out our current open positions or switch jobs, click here!
