Job Hopping. Good or Bad?

You’ll earn more money, but at what long term cost?

The median job tenure has been coming down over the last decade.

Have a look at this chart from CNBC on job tenure by age group.

Here’s the run down:

In your 20’s you need to try different things, it’ s the only way to find out what you actually like doing. Reading about it, watching videos won’t do it. You need to actually do the thing.

Generally - as you get older, you can target what jobs (based on your experience) you’ll thrive in.

Money/Growth vs Comfort/Safety?

This depends on what’s important to you.

Money & Growth 🙋

It’s well understood that changing jobs leads to faster salary growth.

Having to quickly adapt and learn new skills at each job will force you to rapidly grow your skill set. This is the driver - More skills - More money – More skills ->

Here is my problem. After I’ve solved all the initial data problems – studying the data, cleaning, creating pipelines, building reports – I get bored AF. I personally don’t enjoy maintenance - I just like building.

I estimate that after 3 to 6 months I’ve learnt 80% of all I’m ever going to learn out of a role. After 1 year take that to 95%. (Obviously this depends on the complexity & size of the company)

You get minimal skills from maintenance. Building new things leads to massive growth spurts to your skillset and earning potential. 

Comfort & Safety

If you’re 60 years old and just want a regular job - Nothing wrong with that.

Find a job you like and stay there. With the assumption that you must make yourself indispensable. Companies love making their older staff redundant.

WARNING – There’s no such thing as real safety. Safety comes from being very good at something. If no one else can do what you do, then they won’t fire you.

Unemployment lines are full of people, who once felt comfortable in their jobs.

Finer points on Job Hopping

  • Try to stay at least 1 year in a job.

  • If you stay less than 6 months, I wouldn’t even put it on your resume. A resume is for RELEVANT experience, you don’t need to put every single thing you’ve ever done.

  • Before an interview, have your reasons rehearsed of why you left your previous jobs. Never say anything negative about previous jobs. Explain why it wasn’t a perfect fit, and how this job you’re applying for will actually be exactly what you’re looking for.

  • When leaving a job - Always leave on good terms, write amazing documentation for the next person. Carma i.e. cause and effect is real.

  • At some stage you’ll need to stay for a long period of time at one company. This is from Zach Wilson on his career rise to $400k FAANG Data Engineer.

Reversal

Have a look at the job history of new Nike CEO Elliott Hill.

Over 36 years he went from Intern to CEO. It worked out well for him. So, yeah.. Take from that what you like.  Ironically, he’d be the first one to fire you, if it suited Nike’s needs.

Other Downsides:

  • Can create a perception of instability, remember always have good reasons for leaving.

  • Limits the opportunity to build deep long-lasting professional relationships.

  • Constant change can be mentally exhausting.

  • This YouTube video has a unique take on it.

Finally, a word from my sponsor

Please connect with me on LinkedIn, if you haven’t already.

Cheers Shano

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