What Is Job Hopping? What You Need To Know
Job hopping has become more prevalent than ever before. It's now easy to see employees switch jobs from one company to another.
In fact, over half said they are either "very" (15% of respondents) or "somewhat" (28%) likely to leave their employer by the end of this year.
Further, 50% said they are actively searching for a job, while nearly 25% are passively doing so.
Likewise, 48% said they don't look for new employers but remain open to job opportunities.
The alarming statistics above clearly show how common job hopping has become. But what exactly is it, and what are its implications for the job market?
This page covers what you need to know about job hopping. Weigh its pros and cons to make informed decisions about your career.
More importantly, consider the practical tips some business experts share for successful job hopping.
Read on.
What Is Job Hopping?
Job hopping is a career choice in which employees switch jobs frequently. They do so for a handful of reasons, such as salary increases, job satisfaction, and career growth.
However, it isn't necessarily transitioning from one job to another. What is considered job hopping is when you do so 'regularly.'
Think of those employees who stay in a company for only a few months to a year.
Then, they suddenly quit their jobs and look for another employer. This occurrence happens multiple times in their years of employment. That's what job hopping is all about!
Gen Z and Millennials are more prone to job hopping than the older generations. A 2023 RMIT study found that 30% of employees below 30 years old were considering a career change.
The same survey by Resume Builder revealed that 20% of GenZ/Millennial workers have changed jobs two or more times in the past five years.
Further, Gallup cites that the millennials are the job-hopping generation. Over 20% claim they've changed jobs within the past year—more than three times the number of non-millennials. Likewise, six out of ten are open to new job opportunities.
Find out the reasons why some employees job-hop in the next section.
Why Employees Choose Job Hopping
The world has tremendously changed today's business landscape. What used to be an indicator of indecision, instability, and disloyalty is now considered a proactive approach to career development. Job hunting now has two sides—the good and the bad!
Further, the pandemic has paved the way for the rise of remote work. This flexible working arrangement has opened the doorway for the gig economy. It's now easy to see freelancers and contractors work from one employer to another.
In fact, the global gig economy market could grow from $355 billion in 2021 to $1.86 trillion by 2031. It's projected to expand at a 16.18% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Expect this market to pave the way for increased job-hopping cases.
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If you ever think of job hopping in your 20s or 30s, ensure you have valid reasons. Here's why some workers opt to job hop, whether deliberately or unintentionally:
- Economic factor: Finance is the apparent reason why many employees switch to other jobs. They're looking for higher salaries and better benefits that their new employer can possibly offer. In fact, the same Resume Builder report cites that salary increase is the top reason for job hopping.
- Workplace dissatisfaction: Many employees switch to another employer because they are dissatisfied with their jobs, colleagues and superiors, and/or the company. This dissatisfaction is taking a toll on their physical health and mental well-being. So, job hopping and mental illness have become intertwined in today's business landscape.
- Career advancement: Many employees become stagnant in the workplace over time. Job hopping allows them to advance their career and grow professionally. By applying to another company, they can take on a new role, get a higher position, or shift their career to a niche or industry they feel they belong.
- New challenge search: Some employers claim that workers transfer to another company due to a lack of focus or out of sheer boredom. While this claim may somewhat be true, ADHD and job hopping aren't necessarily connected. Some employees actually seek new challenges in their careers for professional growth.
- Life transition: Life events compel employees to switch from one company to another. They probably need to pursue higher studies, move to a new location, get married, and/or start a family. Some of these events are constant, leaving some workers with no choice but to job-hop.
Discover the potential benefits and drawbacks of job hopping in the next section.
The Pros and Cons of Job Hopping
Job hopping has become common in today's business landscape. PwC surveyed nearly 20,000 employees in the Asia-Pacific regarding their workforce hopes and fears.
Most of them say they're more likely to change employers in the next 12 months than during the "Great Resignation."
As cited, job hopping has two faces—the good and the bad. Gone are the days when employers viewed it negatively altogether. Today, many employees have seen its brighter side for career growth and development.
That said, let's explore the pros and cons of job hopping below:
Potential benefits:
- Higher compensation and benefits: Employees work to earn a living, so finding an employer offering higher wages and better benefits makes sense. As cited, salary increase is the top reason for job hopping (according to 62% of respondents). The good news? 80% of job hoppers have successfully increased their salary over the past five years.
- Increased workplace satisfaction: ADHD and job hopping aren't necessarily interrelated. It doesn't mean that employees leave because they lack focus and become bored due to ADHD. Many of them apply to another employer to gain job satisfaction in the workplace. Job hopping allows them to find a workplace where they belong!
- Guaranteed skill diversification: Getting stuck in a company for too long doing routine work can compromise professional development. Job hopping allows you to develop your skills and acquire new ones. Exposure to various jobs in different companies helps diversify your skill sets.
- Professional networking opportunities: Job hopping enables you to explore different industries, work for several companies, and meet various stakeholders. While at it, this deliberate action helps you build and expand your network. However, establish good relationships with people—don't ever burn bridges!
- Faster career growth: Job hopping paves the way for your professional development and career advancement. Not only does it boost your finances, but it also lets you enhance your knowledge and skills. As mentioned, it allows you to assume a new role, get a higher post, or explore another niche or industry.
Possible drawbacks:
- Bad employee reputation: Is job hopping bad? While employees view it positively due to the potential benefits mentioned above, employers still consider it a resume red flag. No company ever wants to hire someone who'll eventually leave their organization after a few months or so.
- Difficult job application: Job hopping can be an eyesore on resumes for recruiters and HR personnel. As a job hopper, it will take a lot of work to start explaining employment gaps and justifying short-term jobs. You might not be able to get a job easily and quickly!
- Short-term financial instability: Job hopping entails resigning from work and applying for a new job. This means having no source of income for a few weeks or months. That's why it requires financial planning for career transitions. You need to save up to get by for the ensuing days!
- Compromised fringe benefits: Many employers offer added perks like life plans, health insurance, and retirement policies. If you switch to another company, you may be unable to capitalize on them. And even if your new employer offers these, you'll have contribution gaps that might impact your long-term benefits!
- Limited knowledge and expertise: Sure, job hopping lets you enhance your knowledge and diversify your skill sets. However, it won't make you a subject matter expert (SME) in the field due to constant career changes. The key here is to look for a relevant job in your industry to grow professionally.
What Business Experts Recommend for Job Hopping
At this point, you know what job hopping entails. More importantly, you understand its advantages and disadvantages. To have a successful job hopping, consider the practical tips below shared by some business experts:
1. Stay for one to two years
Jeffrey Zhou, CEO and Founder of Fig Loans, suggests staying in the company for about a year or two. The company values true commitment and job dedication, so it doesn't hire finance professionals who leave after only a few months.
Zhou argues, "We don't completely view job hopping in a negative light. We understand that employees have the need to grow and succeed and there are many employers offering opportunities out there.
However, we suggest workers give their company about a year or two to learn, adapt, and grow."
2. Look for a job before resigning
Thomas Medlin, co-founder at JumpMD, has witnessed the Great Resignation after the pandemic and seen many job hoppers thereafter. He believes, however, that it's best to find work and improve your job search before resigning.
Medlin explains, "Your resignation from your current company closes the window.
However, it should open the doorway for better opportunities. What better way to grab these than to search for a job before resigning? That way, you can perform enough due diligence and find a better one."
3. Ensure proper resignation
Chris Aubeeluck, Head of Sales and Marketing at Osbornes Law, recommends maintaining utmost professionalism when resigning. He emphasizes the importance of compliance with the labor laws and the company policies concerning resignation.
Aubeeluck cites, "The law usually requires employees to comply with the 30-day notice and service. This allows the employer to transition smoothly and find someone to replace you. Remember, don't ever burn bridges; have a graceful exit instead."
4. Have valid reasons for resigning
Albert Kim, VP of Talent at Checkr, cites that employers usually conduct background checks. As such, he emphasizes the need to justify your resignation.
Kim recommends, "It's best to think twice before resigning—you must have a valid reason for doing so and know how to explain job hopping. You don't want to be tagged as a job hopper who leaves a company when the work becomes challenging. That will risk your chance of getting hired!
5. Do your homework for job hunting
Roman Zrazhevskiy, Founder and CEO of MIRA Safety, suggests performing due diligence on job searches. He recommends conducting extensive market research, leveraging AI job search assistants, and accessing all available opportunities.
Zrazhevskiy believes, "The job market has become more competitive. While it offers tons of opportunities, job seekers have to compete with each other. Make the most of your job hopping by ending up working with the best employer you deserve. Needless to say, do your homework!"
6. Build a professional brand
Sergey Taver, Marketing Manager at Precision Watches, a company that operates in the field of selling luxury watches, highlights the value of solid branding in business. He believes this applies especially to professional employees in the realm of work.
Taver says, "Professional branding puts your job-hopping endeavor in a positive light. Package yourself as an employee willing to learn, grow, and succeed. Meanwhile, promote yourself as a professional who can be a valuable asset to every organization you work for."
7. Optimize your resume and cover letter
Bert Hofhuis, Founder of Every Investor, recommends optimizing the resume and cover letter when job hopping. He argues that having multiple short-term jobs on your resume can be a red flag to most employers.
Hofhuis suggests, "Find ways and means to highlight your relevant skills and competencies.
Focus on the credentials that can provide value to the company or organization. If possible, briefly explain in your cover letter why you've been switching jobs."
8. Have strategic career planning
Grant Aldrich, Founder of Preppy, recommends having strategic career planning for job hoppers: "Job hopping isn't just about switching from one job to another due to valid reasons like better compensation or job dissatisfaction.
It takes sitting down and brainstorming to carve your career path—see where you want to go and what you want to do in the next few years."
Final Words
Job hopping has become more common now than ever before. In the past, it was deemed a sign of indecision, disloyalty, and instability.
Today, it's considered a proactive approach to career development and professional growth.
But when taking this route, weigh the pros and cons outlined above. While it offers higher salaries, workplace satisfaction, and skill diversification, job hopping can also result in a negative employee reputation, challenging job applications, and temporary financial constraints.
That said, what better way to explore job hopping than to consider the practical tips recommended above?
Doing so allows you to take advantage of it for your career development without compromising your employee reputation, job opportunity, and financial stability!
