These days, there is no such things as a job for life, unless you choose to create it yourself…but that doesn’t mean that recruiters turn a blind eye to CVs that show a lack of commitment to work.
Job hoppers do it for various reasons. More often than not they may not know what they are getting into when they agree to work for an employer and then stick it out for as short a time as possible before they leave so they can clock as much time as possible on their CV to avoid awkward questions.
Sometimes, it is because they do not know what they want and hence are not ready for the challenges that lay ahead of them in a new role. But, one thing to bear in mind is that job-hopping and career success is related to one another.
Constant job-hopping can affect career success in a negative manner. What signals are you sending to your potential employer if you job-hop too often? It says that you cannot commit to one role, and that they may lose out on someone of equal standing when they are recruiting, who may stay and grow with the company longer if they give you a job instead.
The two-year rule
Many recruiters look for at least two years in a company, unless you have been working on short fixed-term contracts that come to a natural end when projects finish…but even that beggars the question that if you are really good, why did none of the contractors take you on on a permanent basis…?
For most people, it can take at least a year to get to really know the ins and outs of the company. Then another year before you can eventually be truly productive in adding value to the company. To see the true results of your contribution to the company, it can therefore take at least two years. So, if you are prone to job-hopping and career success is on your mind, then it could be time to rethink.
Companies like to invest in people who see their career goals align with their corporate goals. Job-hoppers usually cannot see their career path beyond the next year.
How to minimise job hopping
If there are other fields that you are interested in working in then make a plan to find out about them. Start with the internet, and then ask friends who may know people in those fields about the expectations of the company and the role of the position you are interested in.
Get onto LinkedIn and join groups that discuss the said industry and ask them to give you some guidance on what you need to do to get your foot on the ladder.
You may not have all the answers but at least you will get some idea.
You can even call up recruiter anonymously and ask them what you need to do to better your chances of getting into that field – don’t ask one person only, try to speak to at least two or three to get a balance.
