Career Change Advice on Job Hopping

Being a job hopper or a frequent career-changer doesn’t have very positive connotations. As a matter of fact, this could be a red flag for most employers. But you shouldn’t think that job hopping is all bad as there are many good things also that you can gain from changing jobs. Actually, it’s just a matter of knowing what you are doing and why you are doing it. It is important that you have the right reasons for making changes to your career. If you just feel that you want something new in what you are doing, but are not sure exactly what it is, it would be good to ask an expert for some career change advice.

Even without consulting a career coach or mentor, you may still be able to decide if changing jobs is the smartest career move for you at this point in your life. All you need is to know the advantages and disadvantages of job hopping.

ADVANTAGES

1. Variety of Work Experience – Those who change jobs every so often are most likely the ones that have a lot of knowledge about different procedures, industries, tools and even software. By gaining a lot of experience in different fields, you will definitely become highly qualified for more jobs.

2. Expertise in Job Searching – Job-hoppers naturally develop a very unique skill that not all of us have, and that is finding a job. A worker who is employed in the same job for so many years tends to forget what it takes to successfully look around the job market. They are also not aware of the latest trends in hiring and employment.

3. Adaptability – Being able to easily adapt to new environments is crucial for being a success in a career. One great lesson that can be learned from switching jobs often is to adapt and get used to new situations.

DISADVANTAGES

1. Lack of Expertise – Although a job-hopper may naturally acquire a lot of knowledge and practical experience in many different industries, he/she most probably doesn’t have the in-depth knowledge that can be acquired by working for a long time in the same company or industry.

2. Bad Reputation – Yes it is now very common for workers to change jobs frequently, but this doesn’t mean that they are treated in a positive and special way by employers. The truth is that many employers are not impressed by job seekers who don’t seem to like staying in one place for a long time. Job hoppers are often considered immature, irresponsible and not dedicated.

So when is it the right time for you to change jobs? Will it ever be good for you to try working in another company or industry? These are hard questions to answer because a sound career change advice will always depend on a person’s character, skills and goals.