People have a lot of opinions about the amount of time you should stay at a job. The concept of job hopping—staying at a company for one to two years before switching to the next—is a much-discussed topic. Many people believe that being labeled a job hopper is a red flag to future employers. I’ve even heard that a pattern of job hopping can ruin your career. Conversely, I’ve also heard the benefits of switching jobs. Let’s analyze the pros and cons of job hopping.
Pros of Job Hopping:
Job Satisfaction:
One of the main benefits of switching jobs is finding one where you can learn, grow, and be happy. If you’re miserable at a job, should you stay for more than two years? Think about what you liked and disliked about the job and use it to guide your choices moving forward. Don’t choose a new job without proactively analyzing whether the job is right for you. This will increase your chances of job satisfaction and the likelihood that you’ll stay for at least two years.
Increase your salary:
Another benefit of switching jobs is that you may make more money. According to a recent study, the median pay raise for 2014 was 3%. According to research from Wharton management professor, Matthew Bidwell, hiring managers will pay 10% to 20% more to hire people with a proven track record. If you negotiate your offer effectively, you could make significantly more at another company.
Move up the ladder faster:
There are a lot of companies that only offer reviews and promotions once or twice a year. This doesn’t allow for fast upward mobility. One way to increase your title (and pay) is to get hired at a new company. If there isn’t room for growth at your current company, switching jobs may be the best way to learn new skills, take on more responsibility, become a manager and, ultimately, advance your career.
Cons of Job Hopping:
Reputation to future employers:
If you have a history of job hopping, future employers may think you’ll likely leave quickly, if hired. They may not want to invest time and resources into training if they think you won’t stay for long. Use your interview as a time to show that you’ll be committed to the company. Ask questions and say statements such as, “I’m passionate about [the company’s] mission and the role and would want to stay for a long time. What would advancement and growth look like for this position?” You’ll probably be asked why you left previous positions and why you are looking to leave your current one. Tell a story and explain your reasoning.
Learn skills at a company:
If you like your job, you’re learning, and there is room for growth, why leave? According to a paper by Wharton management professor, Matthew Bidwell, it takes external hires two years to build relationships and learn how to be effective at the organization. Bidwell also notes “If you like where you are, stay there. Or at least understand how hard it can be to take your skills with you. You think you can go to another job and perform well, but it takes a long time to build up to the same effectiveness that you had in your previous organization. You need to know that your skills are often much less portable than you think.” Bidwell also found that external hires have lower performance evaluations and “There is a much greater risk of being let go during those first few years, mainly because they may not develop the necessary skills and thus will not perform as well as expected. Then, too, they might decide to leave voluntarily.”
In conclusion:
Before deciding if you should leave a job before the two-year mark, consider the pros and cons of job hopping. If you’re happy and learning, it may be worthwhile to stay. Advocate for yourself and try to get a promotion and raise. If you’re miserable or there is no room for growth, it’s okay to leave. Make sure to evaluate the new role and company to increase the chances that you’ll stay.
