Job Hopping: Stay or Go? The Ultimate Pros and Cons List

If you scroll through social media these days, it seems like job hopping is the new trend — everyone seems to be doing it. While some see it as a way to broaden horizons, climb the career ladder, and get a big jump in salary, others may see it as jumping the gun too early and/or a lack of commitment.

So, what should you do? Stay put or take a leap of faith? Let’s weigh the ultimate pros and cons of job hopping and see if the grass is really greener on the other side.

Factors To Consider Before Job Hopping

Before you start googling about open roles, consider this: job hopping can have both positive and negative effects on your career. To make the right decision, weighing the pros and cons and considering some key factors is crucial. Ask yourself these questions:

What Is Your Current Job Satisfaction?

Let’s do a quick test. On a scale of 1-10, how happy are you in your current role?

If your answer is 8-10, I’ll be the first to tell you that it’s hard to find another job that can fulfill you on that level. I know this after coaching thousands of people across different sectors and countries!

On the other hand, if your answer is below a 5, it might be a good gut check for you that it’s time to start looking for a better fit. Use this 1-10 scale as a kind of litmus test to assess whether a new job is the change that you need right now.

What Are Your Future Goals And Aspirations?

When someone asks me for advice about going for another role, I like to evaluate the reason behind the move. 

• Are they bored in their current role?
• Is their current role no longer aligned with what they really want to do?
• Are they being challenged and given opportunities to learn and improve? 

If you feel stuck in a stagnant role with no room for growth, it’s a sign that it might be time to start exploring other job opportunities. 

Are You Paid Fairly For Your Role?

I get it — everyone wants to make more money. And there are a lot of ways to increase your income. 

Doing a side hustle or asking for a raise may come into mind, but a new job with a higher salary may be the quickest solution to getting paid.

I know money is not everything, but it plays a big role in our lives. If you know you are way underpaid in your current position and have already tried to discuss the matter with your manager, I would advise you to look for other opportunities. You may not necessarily have to leave for that new role, but knowing your real value in the market is always a good idea

Pros of Job Hopping

Let’s first talk about the pros of switching to a new role. Job hopping, once seen as a red flag for employers, is now a common career move for many professionals. According to a LinkedIn study, there has been an increase in job changes from their users by 37% in 2021. With Gen Z users tagged as the “boldest generation.”

While there are some potential drawbacks to job hopping, there are also many benefits. From higher salaries to greater career growth, it can be a smart move for those looking to advance their careers. So if you’re thinking about making a change, here are the advantages of taking a leap:

Increased Salary Potential

One of the biggest pros of job hopping is the increased salary potential. According to a 2022 survey by Conference Board, approximately one-third of the 2,600 professionals and office workers surveyed reported a salary increase of at least 30% when they switched to a new job.

From my experience and that of my clients, this statistic is pretty spot on. Getting a  new job can help you avoid the salary “ceiling” at your current company, where you may be stuck in a lower pay bracket even as your responsibilities and skills grow. 
I’ve found that the best time to negotiate and demand a higher salary is when you move to a new role and company. Often, companies have a larger budget allocated for hiring new employees compared to increasing the salaries for their existing team. Some of our Get Hired Academy students have gotten 50% – 100% pay increases simply by landing a new job and getting paid their market value! If they can do it, so can you.

New and Better Opportunities

Another pro of job hopping is the potential to discover new and exciting opportunities that may not be available in your current situation. Switching jobs gives you the chance to try out new industries, roles, and companies, and find something that is a better fit. Of course, you can also research to see what else is out there, but you won’t know until you get first-hand experience in the new role.

Speaking from personal experience when I pivoted from management consulting to HR, I always had a hunch that the latter was a better fit. But it was only after taking the leap and getting immersed in the world of recruitment that I realized I was finally in a role more aligned with what I wanted to do. If you have an itch to go explore a certain role, listen to your gut and go for it!

Personal and Professional Growth

This might be the biggest pro of job hopping… it’s the opportunity to maximize your skills and grow as an individual. Doing something new shakes up the status quo. With each new job, you can broaden your skill set, work with different teams, and take on new challenges that will help you grow both personally and professionally.

Are these opportunities also available in your current role? Perhaps, but a change in scenery is sometimes what you need to really speed up the process.

Cons of Job Hopping

As much as job hopping has its benefits, it’s important to acknowledge the potential downsides of constantly switching roles. In my experience working in the recruitment industry, I’ve seen how frequent job hopping can lead to stalled career progress and job insecurity. It’s essential to weigh the pros and cons carefully before leaving your current job.

Let’s take a closer look at the flip side and explore some of the potential drawbacks to job hopping:

Lack of Job Satisfaction

There will always be a risk of not being satisfied in your new job. In my experience, some professionals find themselves searching for the “perfect” job. It’s important to remember that job satisfaction is not just about the job itself but also about your mindset and attitude toward work. Before making any big moves, take some time to reflect on what truly brings you happiness and fulfillment in your career.

You may also realize the grass is not greener in your new role. If that does happen, your chances of returning to your previous employer are slim, but it can happen! Check out this recent article by Indeed about this topic and how to handle it carefully.

Lack of Job Security

It’s crucial to consider the long-term consequences of constantly switching jobs. You may be sacrificing the stability and security of staying with one company for an extended period.

Many companies follow the “last in, first out” principle when it comes to layoffs. This means that if you’re one of the most recent hires, you’re typically the first to go when cutbacks happen. With the recent massive layoffs in the tech industry, job security is becoming increasingly scarce. It’s essential to consider the potential consequences of job hopping, as frequent changes could leave you vulnerable to layoffs in the future.

Limited Opportunity for Advancement

When you switch jobs frequently, it can be difficult to build up a strong reputation and establish yourself as a valuable team member within a company. This can limit your chances of moving up the ladder and taking on more challenging and rewarding roles in the long term.

When you start somewhere new, you don’t bring your track record of consistency and great work output. You have to prove yourself again. It’s important to consider whether job hopping aligns with your career goals and whether it will ultimately help or hinder your path toward advancement.

Verdict

Job hopping is a very personal choice. It can be a tempting solution to a stagnant career or a less-than-ideal work situation, but it’s not without its potential drawbacks. 

On one hand, it can lead to increased salary potential, new and better opportunities, and personal and professional growth. On the other hand, it can result in a lack of job security, limited opportunity for advancement, and a potential negative impact on future job prospects.

As the saying goes, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. But sometimes, it really is! The only way to find out is by being self-aware, assessing your current situation, and if your gut calls for it… then taking the leap! 

There is no right or wrong answer to your decision, but as your career coach, I want you to choose what’s best for YOU. If all the signals point to “jump”, I say follow your heart and go for it. Always rooting for you, my friend!