Are Frequent Job Changes Bad for your Career?

Is frequent job changes good for your career or not? The question has multiple answers depending on the given circumstances. From a professional point of view, frequent job changes are not good for your career. This constant job switch creates a negative impact on your employers' mind and displays a lack of commitment to you that is clearly visible on your resume.

Let’s try to answer this particular question in various circumstances.

#1. Your Career Has Just Started

Is frequent job changes good for you if your career has just started? The answer is Maybe. Now, there are two kinds of people: the focused individuals who have a specific career and company in their mind from the very beginning, and their efforts in the quest to achieve their goals is extremely job-oriented. While the other half comprises of the confused pupils, the ones who haven't decided about their career and keep juggling with their life unless they find what they want. So, the answer depends on what kind of individual you’re. However, these stages make us realize that all of us are inexperienced to assess whether the current job is the right one or not, so it is better to keep hunting unless you find your calling. Don't be hesitant to take risks with your career in order to get the job you love and lifelong passion to unravel. In addition, don’t get influenced by people who compel you to look for stability rather than passion, you’re not old enough to look for stability.

(Image Courtesy: Man Life)

#2. Stuck In The Wrong Job, Or It’s Not What You Love Doing

Okay! This situation is very common, and if you're in this situation, then you should better be leaving the job right away rather than figuring out whether it would be good or not for your career. All of us get into wrong jobs just as our career starts. We lack knowledge about intricacies of the job we are looking for. Moreover, we don't know the definition of the 'right job.' And there are other factors as well that lead us into the wrong job: financial crisis, pressure from the family, or just the excitement to get employed.

(Image Courtesy: Review Biz)

But, as soon as you realize you’ve made a wrong decision, you’ll start regretting your decision and your excitement will turn into sheer disappointment. The natural and smart response to this situation is to exit as soon as you can. As the simple psychological philosophy about life says, “ leave it if you don’t love it” and it applies to your job too.  

More on: Difference Between Job and Career

#3. There’s No Scope For Growth Or Learning

Whether it happens at the beginning of your career or after you're in a good position, if there's no possibility of learning, growth in terms of compensation, or career growth; it's absolutely fine to leave. No one wants to get stuck with monotony for so long, where there is no scope to learn something new. Each one of us has higher aspirations and higher virtues to achieve, we all want to keep climbing the success ladder in our blooming professions; so, it's perfectly normal if you leave your job for such reasons.

(Image Courtesy: SHRM)

#4. You Don’t Like The Work Culture

Work culture is a very important matter of discussion when it comes to considering a job. Some workplaces are very chilled out, and things are pretty sorted there, whereas, the other places are exactly opposite, worse in some cases. So, there are only two possibilities that can be the possible reasons behind your disappointments with your job.

#.  You like the job but surviving the work environment is tough for you, there's a lot of work pressure that leaves you with no time for relaxation.

#. You don't like the job, and the workplace lacks a supportive culture.

While considering a job, there are a few things which are equally worth considering: the work-life balance, the leadership style, and the office work culture. Some organizations fail to fulfill these requirements, and their employees leave slowly. 

(Image Courtesy: Synergy)

#5. Need A Career Change

Monotony kills the excitement. Doing the things, again and again, makes life boring. Monotony is often considered a threat to the excitement in life. If you keep on repeating the same routine over and over again, one day you'll end up getting sad, and you'll quit. Thus, if you have spent a good time in a company, switching becomes inevitable after a point of time. So, don’t think twice when you’re planning for a career change knowing that you’ve spent a good time, and displayed enough of loyalty.

(Image Courtesy: Undercover Recruiter)

#6. Circumstances Compel To Change Job

Most career experts believe that a person should at least stick for 5 years in one company. But, let's just face the truth, we are the ones working in the company, and we're aware of the real scenario, so, the career experts are in no position to say what you should do unless they're themselves a part of the company.

(Image Courtesy: Epilepsy

The workplace is about politics these days, everyone tries to climb up the ladder by pulling the other down, and this shallow thinking of people is a serious threat to a healthy work culture. In a bid and quest to achieve their career goals, some people hurt their coworker's sentiments and self-esteem, indirectly making the circumstances against them. So, if you’re the victim of same sick intellect, it’s okay if you’re making a switch too early.  

Drawbacks Of Frequent Job Changes

#1. Loyalty

Your potential employers will always doubt your loyalty because of your frequent job changes. Your frequent job changes undermine your talent in the eye of your potential employer.

#2. Growth

 Stability leads to growth, and if you keep on hopping jobs, then you’ll find yourself at the same position even after years.

#3. Job Security

Given the circumstances, if your employer is facing a crisis and plans to lay off some of the workforces, you’ll be on the list.

(Image Courtesy: Pro Fellows)

#4. Reliability

People won’t trust you in your next job, and that’s quite reasonable. You have to compromise on something in order to gain something. And you can always rebuild the trust.

Making Career Changes vs Sticking To Your Current Role

#1. Ambitious

People who make frequent job changes are mostly ambitious, whereas, people who don’t like frequent job hopping are likely to be considered less ambitious.

#2. Fewer Chances Of Getting Hired

People who quit very quickly have lesser chances to get hired again, whereas, people with high experience in one company are more suitable for a job according to recruiters.

(Image Courtesy: Corner Stone Recruitment Group)

#3. Difficult To Adapt With A New Role

People who stick with one job for a very long time are most likely to face difficulties in adapting to a new role. Whereas, the exact opposite happens with the other half.

#4. Loyalty

It’s quite obvious that people who make frequent job changes are less likely to be considered loyal, and it becomes difficult for them to restore the lost faith. Whereas, the employees who have displayed a sign of loyalty towards their employer are more preferable.

Job switch is okay till the time you don't find the right job for yourself, but, don’t make it a consistent activity. At one point of time, you'll need stability in your life, and that's when you've responsibilities of others on your shoulder. At this point of time, you have to make the most difficult choice of your life, whether to look for a job or start with something of your own? Some people don't have it in their veins, they succumb to adhere to the 9 to 5 daily routine, and they venture out in their entrepreneurial journey. If you're not into entrepreneurship, the second major question that you've to answer is- whether you should settle with the current job or keep the dream of job hunt to haunt you? Don’t let anything said above stop you from finding the right job for yourself. Keep hopping unless you find your calling.

We hope you liked the article, let us know using the comment section if you did.

(Featured Image Courtesy: Ng Careers Blog)