The term ‘job-hopper’ is often used to describe a candidate who jumps or hops from job to job or has short stints with several employers. Typically, the period is about one to two years at each job, but some classify it as spending less than five years with the same company.

Job hoppers move from one job to another for various reasons, for example, if they fail to adapt to a company’s culture, are in search of greener pastures, or looking for a challenge, and so forth.

Employers, however, may question a CV that indicates that the applicant doesn’t stay with a company for long. This at times hinders chances of employment.

According to Career Addict, job-hopping is turning into a growing trend. In recent years, it has become increasingly common among younger professionals whose professional aspirations are redefining the operations of the modern workplace.

With Millennials now making up a significant portion of the current workforce, this generation is more likely to favour job-hopping. Indeed, a 2018 study by Robert Half found that 75% of people under 34 believe job hopping could be beneficial for their careers.

While job hopping could potentially help you advance your career, there’s also another side to consider as well.

Weighing good and bad

Dominic Rutayisire, the owner of a local cosmetics firm, says that job-hopping comes with salary increments. Since some employees are not sure if they will ever be promoted at their jobs, when they learn of a certain opportunity elsewhere that pays more, they go without hesitation.

"With job-hopping, one gets to change environment and discover new things. If one’s current job hasn’t offered any travel opportunities, it is likely they will take this chance,” he says.

He also says job-hoppers get to make new relationships, learn more, and even acquire new skills, adding that they get to build a bigger network, especially if they leave their jobs on good terms. Going into different fields also helps one discover preferences, strengths, and weaknesses, and capacity, and flaws, he adds.

However, Rutayisire says, job-hopping might sabotage one’s ambition to mature professionally. Experts say that job-hopping can also lead to unnecessary stress and uncertainty in one’s personal life. Changing jobs typically involves negotiating a new contract, meeting new people and adjusting to a new schedule. In some cases, it means relocating the family or driving a new route. Starting over in a new environment several times in a short time can be mentally and physically draining. Before you job-hop, take time to consider how a career change might negatively impact your health or your family’s stability.

"Although having a range of job experience on your résumé may seem like a good thing, it can be a problem or hindrance when you apply for future jobs. Recruiters look for employees who can commit to the company and be zealous about its goals. They might question your loyalty. It can also be hard to be rewarded for your efforts as you keep changing jobs,” says Ritah Iribagiza who works for an IT firm.

She also says that it’s easy to lose interest in one’s career with time as they tend to focus on what is next instead of getting better at the current company. 

"Employers won’t view you as someone that is experienced with a deep understanding of how things work if you keep job-hopping,” Iribagiza adds.