How Job-Hopping Will Make You A Better Employee

Over the years, job-hopping amongst young employees has been associated with laziness and a lack of drive and commitment — all negative traits employees want nothing to do with. When done strategically, however, job-hopping is more beneficial for a long, prosperous career than once thought. 

After all, Akumina research acknowledged that 50% of the American workforce would be made up of millennials in 2021, and 75% of millennial managers in 2019 believed frequent job-hopping helps advance careers. With such a popular consensus, it is evident that there is a method to this job-hopping madness. 

Here’s why job-hopping is advantageous for your career — and how you can use it to impress future employers:

Boost your knowledge

Look back on every job you’ve had. From the waitress job in high school to your current position, you probably learned at least a few things along the way, right? Imagine gaining new knowledge in your field at a few different companies — all of the skills you learned about different work tactics and other insights will make you a more well-rounded employee wherever you go.

Impress employers: 

Use your breadth of knowledge in an interview to talk about how you go above and beyond your role, regardless of the type of job or the demands and challenges it presents.

Increase your wage

Let’s face it: We work to support ourselves. While money isn’t everything, it is definitely important, and you can use job-hopping to either receive a bump in pay from the get-go or to negotiate your monetary terms in an interview.

According to a 2015 Gallup survey, 49% of U.S. workers employed who had switched jobs in the past three months said their reasoning for taking a job was strongly influenced by salary. You will advance faster up your career (and financial) ladder with more experience under your belt.

Impress employers: 

Knowing when to negotiate the salary you think you deserve — and when to walk away — is crucial for both you and the employer. It shows your potential new boss you’re serious about the position, yet doesn’t leave you feeling like you were cheated and on the hunt for yet another job.

Develop your connections

Just as important as gaining new knowledge and skills, job-hopping also opens the door to build your professional network.

At any job, you strive to form positive relationships with at least a few of your colleagues and supervisors. These people just might be key players in your next career move. 

Impress employers: 

Sometimes, it’s all about who you know. Use your connections to your advantage. Referrals can help tremendously when looking for a new job and can lead to opportunities you didn’t even know were available.

Change your scenery

A different commute to work, a new office view, or a new favorite lunch spot are all unique ways to keep you motivated at work every day.

Research from Korn Ferry in 2018 indicated that the top reason employees looked for a new job was because they were bored and needed a new challenge. That motive (33%) ranked higher than a poor culture fit (24%), impending layoff (21%), and desire for a higher salary (19%). 

Impress employers: 

Use your knowledge of places around the area like shops and restaurants to show employers your personal side. Cultural fit and personality are often big hiring factors when interviewing for a new position. And not to mention, everyone loves food!

Also, highlight components of your current job that you found challenging when you first started. Clearly, they are not obstacles to you anymore, and that gives you an opportunity to share how you learn and rise to the challenge.

Thinking of hopping into a different industry? Read THIS before you make that big career change.