Back in the 1950s there was an unspoken agreement between employer and employee that the company would offer lifetime employment in exchange for loyalty. Today, this has radically changed. With a re-organization always just around the corner, we can be let go at a moment’s notice. Career self-management has never been more important so why does the label of ‘job hopper’ still carry a negative connotation?
In view of managing your career, job-hopping has quite a number of advantages.
You have a chance to see how other businesses work and build your skillset in ways that might never be possible when you stick to one employer. This flexibility to be successful in a variety of environments could make you very attractive on the labor market. Secondly, job-hopping can be a fast track to upgrading your title, your salary and your benefits.
Last but not least, it can help you in building a powerful professional network.
An obvious downside is that changing jobs too fast and too often will label you as unreliable, unable to deliver or lacking commitment.
It is all about finding the right balance between managing your own career & skillset and bringing added value to your employer.
Every job comes with a certain ‘infancy’ period, usually 6 months to a year, where you have to get to know the company and its ways of working. During this time, your employer will invest time and money in getting you up and running. You can achieve some quick wins but your long-term impact will be limited. It is only after that onboarding period, that you will be able to truly show the added value that you bring and achieve lasting results.
When you switch jobs every year, your next employer will become quite hesitant to hire you as they risk loosing their investment. And yes, you might get the negative label of being a job-hopper.
However, once you have been able to demonstrate your capabilities and generate measurable achievements, it might be time to reflect on your next move.
You can choose to stay with your current employer to show commitment, gain additional experience and craft your job in such a way that it allows you to grow your skills.
However, if you are no longer challenged, it is time to take ownership of your career.
Here are a few questions to consider, before making the decision to explore new horizons:
- · Can I demonstrate measurable results and will I be able to identify people who can serve as a reference?
- · Am I leaving this job because I am desperate or am I making a strategic decision that will allow me to build my skill set?
- · What are the skills that I want to develop and how will that help me in the long term? What is the type of position that would correspond to that?
- · What doors will be opened and what doors will be closed from making this choice?
Asking yourself these questions will allow you, when an opportunity comes along, to take an informed decision to engage in a selection process…or not. This way, a job change won't be just for the money or the title but it will become a deliberate step in the way you manage your career.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Isabel
Through a personalized and tailor-made approach, Ingenium Executive Search aspires to assist you in attracting the right talent that matches the DNA of your company
Follow me on Twitter @IngeniumSearch
