Should I Job Hop More or Less?

In any hiring process, employers will look at the amount of time you have spent in each of your previous jobs, and duration of employment is a key factor in consideration for employment.

It may not look good to have frequently changed positions in the past, but it is no longer a deal breaker.  Providing a potential employer with legitimate reasons for you past job changes can alleviate problems with moving forward in the hiring process.

Conversely, staying in a job for too long may also cause issues for your career. Employers may look at that as an inability to make change and move forward.

1. When is Job Hopping Okay?

Frequent turnaround is prevalent in industries and in these industries job-hopping is common.  The construction industry is a good example of this. Specific building projects or developments are paid based on the completion of the project, and employees will go to where the next job is available.  NGO (Non-Governmental Organizations) is another industry in which jobs are often based on the availability of funding.

Those who are at the beginning their career may not have a plethora of job experience and therefore your first job out of college is likely to be a stepping stone to better opportunities in the future.  Most people will experience a job change within 3 or 4 years of their first professional position.  As your career develops, job changes should become less frequent.

2. Justify the Change

When asked in an interview about a job change, many people will answer generically with things like, ‘looking for advancement’ or ‘better opportunities.’

However, the truth is often underlying reasons that job seekers want to keep from potential employers.  Employers will be accepting of many valid situations you could present, like employers not keeping promises, a long commute or an unpleasant work environment.  When explaining your reasons be sure to maintain professionalism and not appear to be angry or spiteful. If you can convey your situation tactfully to employers, you should not have any problems.

Changing jobs is not a bad thing. Sometimes changing jobs is the only option for better pay or career advancement.  If you are staying a position for too long you may be perceived as someone lacking ambition and leave you susceptible to being taken advantage of by employers.  If you are making job changes often make sure you are trying to move forward in your career.

If you are thinking about changing jobs, take the time to think about whether or not it is the right time to do so.  Consider both professional and personal life situations when making your decision.  If you are unsure about making the move, see if there is anything you can do to improve your current employment situation; at least as a temporary solution until the right position comes along.  If you do have frequent job changes in your past be prepared to show a new employer, you are not a high-risk hire.

Just remember job hopping does not have to be a negative on your resume if you make moves for the right reason; so, when it comes time to explain your situation to a prospective employer you can do so professionally and honestly.

Are you looking for a top tech job?

At SMCI, we work with professionals that have a wide range of work histories. If you are currently looking to take the next step in your career but you’re worried about your work history, please contact us today.