It can be tempting to change jobs frequently, enjoying the package increases that come with each new job, but you may also find yourself having to explain the frequent jumps in your CV in interviews.
“Moving to a new role in a new company often comes with a financial boost. Negotiating a competitive package becomes easier when you’re in demand, and the allure of exponential financial gains can be hard to resist. But while job hopping may seem advantageous initially, there’s a tipping point, and you can soon find that too many frequent moves have made you unhireable and unattractive for the important roles. Essentially, after too many short-lived tenures, you could find yourself running out of road,” says Advaita Naidoo, Africa MD at executive search firm Jack Hammer.
She advises:
- When a potential employer sees that a candidate has moved jobs frequently they may wonder whether it is worth hiring and training someone who will soon leave the organisation;
- Short-term moves can indicate that the candidate is more concerned about earning more money than contributing to the company;
- A candidate may explain their frequent moves as a way of gaining diverse experience, but it also shows that they do not stay long enough to really make an impact;
- The idea of working for one employer for your whole career is no longer viable — but a balance between that and changing a few times each year needs to be struck for the benefit of employees and employers; and
- Companies can make an effort to create an environment where employees feel supported and can see a clear path of career development, so they are less inclined to look for something better.
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