Reasons of Job-Hopping (Employer and Candidate Perspective)

Gone are the days, when everyone preferred job stability. Changing the job wasn’t an option.

Nowadays we find millennials and centennials more in the company. The generations who have more access to technologies.

As technologies keep changing, they like to keep themselves updated. They focus more on learning new skills.

From wifi networks to career growth, they want satisfaction.

They keep exploring opportunities. If they don’t get these, even in a job they switch.

Job hopping is a new normal and we all have to accept it. Now,

What is Job-Hopping?

Job hoppers switch jobs frequently, in approximately 1-2 years of joining.

Does job-hopping hurt your career?

You must have heard,

“excess of anything is bad”

But it doesn’t mean that job switching is bad if done in the right way.

What do employers think about Job hopping (employer’s perspective)?

Think of it,

employers have searched for you for so long, many for more than 6 months.

Now, when they found one they don’t want to lose them easily and go through the whole process all over again.

So, when they look at a job hopper’s resume, they start doubting your stability and loyalty which from their perspective is normal.

Even if they hire you they will always have insecurity of losing you.

This will be a waste of money and time for them.

How to deal –

Your job hopping resume should show

A pattern or a story
You can take a contract job to know which jobs satisfy you the most
Don’t change jobs too frequently for money
Your experience should show new skills learned from previous jobs or growth in your career
If you switched the job because of relocation, health issues, then mention it below the company name in your resume
Promotion or higher salary can be explained in cover letter
Don’t bad-mouth about the company

How to answer the job-hopping question in an interview –

Instead of explaining reasons company by company. Address the common issue that you have noticed.

You can say,

“After switching so many companies, I discovered that I was not getting the work-life balance from my previous jobs.”

What if I didn’t like the company –

You can say,

“I have been working with the company for 3 years now. We have successfully increased the sales from X to Y. But soon I realized that the job role I was given was not the right fit for me.”

Job Switching in covid –

Everyone has faced this situation.

The market has changed drastically.

There were many laid off.

This is the time when everyone is looking at their career or business differently.

Be honest about the situation and show your positive attitude.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1200168/covid-19-impact-on-employee-motivation-russia/

If you are not able to show any of these in your resume, then I am afraid, but your resume shows Job Hopping Syndrome.

Job hopping syndrome is changing jobs too frequently. This shows that

You will leave the job if you will get a higher salary
You can’t be satisfied easily
You are not serious
You are wasting the time and money of the company as well

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/job-hopping-syndrome-jhs-career-threatening-lou-adler/

Why candidate switches the job frequently (candidate perspective)?

One of the common reasons we think of frequent job switching is money. But this isn’t true.

According to a survey, 41% of respondents in generation Y wanted personal growth, whereas 41% of respondents in generation X, and 48% of baby boomers wanted work-life balance.

Compensation benefits and corporate goodwill were also the major factors affecting the decision of job switching.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/224401/reasons-for-choosing-employment-positions-by-generation/

How to deal –

In the times where millennials and centennials are dominating, retention of employees is challenging for employers.

To deal with this situation you have to

Redesign your policies and start thinking differently.
You have to study how they think and what they want.
You should focus more on employer branding

https://www.gallup.com/workplace/238073/millennials-work-live.aspx

Advantages of job-hopping

Diverse skillset – It is a great opportunity to learn various new skills for a long-term benefit.
Company exposure – Exposure to many companies compared to others who are working in the same company for years, will increase your confidence and knowledge. This will also help to adjust to the new environment easily.
Increase in salary – Job change will also offer you a higher salary than the one working in the same company for a longer period.
Career Growth – Changing a company will also give you new roles and responsibilities.
Personality growth – Your communication skills and teamwork will be improved.

Disadvantages of job-hopping

Many companies show red flags – Though many companies have accepted this new normal there are still many companies who show red flags to job hoppers.
Employers may doubt your loyalty – Many companies will not feel comfortable working with you. They will always have insecurity about losing you.
May miss the chance of getting a new project – You might not get a chance to be involved in any kind of project or you would have left it in between.
May not have achievements – Your resume might not show any accomplishment or achievement if you are switching the job too frequently.

Today, employers and candidates are more open to job-hopping. It is always recommended to complete at least 2-3 years in a company.