Too many job moves at a young age, going to look bad on me?
Discussion
Bit of backstory, I'm 3 years out of uni working as a Software Engineer, I did 2 years as a civil servant and left now I'm working for a private company, which is ok but the people are a bit....miserable. I started putting some applications out there with companies that were interesting, I've got one offer and a second interview with another company!
But this would be my third job in 3 years?! I've only been in my current post for 8 months. Should I hold out for a bit longer and do the job search again after a bit more time or just get out while I can?
But this would be my third job in 3 years?! I've only been in my current post for 8 months. Should I hold out for a bit longer and do the job search again after a bit more time or just get out while I can?
Naaa go for it, lifes too short!
If it's a better job that is.
The fact that you've got another job offer means that the fact that you're 'mobile' within your profession hasn't put them off, perhaps just consider remaining in your new job for a year or two before moving on.
All the studies show the way to a higher salary is to move on every 2/3 years or so. (if you're into that sort of thing)
Best of luck to you.
If it's a better job that is.
The fact that you've got another job offer means that the fact that you're 'mobile' within your profession hasn't put them off, perhaps just consider remaining in your new job for a year or two before moving on.
All the studies show the way to a higher salary is to move on every 2/3 years or so. (if you're into that sort of thing)
Best of luck to you.
I wouldn't worry about it. You worked at the first place for 2 years which is fine. The second place might only be 8 months but that's not a problem so long as you can explain why you want to move on: job wasn't as promised etc.
You might stay at the new place for 20 years so my advice would be don't worry about it yet. However, if you had a run of jobs that only lasted 8 months that would be a cause for concern.
You might stay at the new place for 20 years so my advice would be don't worry about it yet. However, if you had a run of jobs that only lasted 8 months that would be a cause for concern.
It the IT world its somewhat expected that people move around often... 8 months is a bit short, but if you dont like the company, thats a legitimate reason. Just make sure when you accept your next job that you've done some digging on the office culture first to see if you'll fit in.
There are a lot of people saying "It isn't a problem- go for it" and I strongly suspect those aren't the people who interview and employ people.
There may be the odd industry that it doesn't matter but it definitely does in general.
With two job moves in 2 years I would still consider employing you. Once you've had your third job and get fed up with that I would not.
It's very arbitrary I admit, but that is my cut-off and based on experience.
If I were you I would actually think about what you really want to do rather than job hopping and hope that it becomes apparent because my experience is that it never does and you become progressively less employable with every move.
That said, I do think that if you can manage to stay somewhere for 3 or 4 years after having a number of job, this negates the bad impression that your first few give.
I suppose with that in mind my advice in a nutshell is not to move for the sake of it, only if you have a genuine interest in a job you think you will be able to stick at.
There may be the odd industry that it doesn't matter but it definitely does in general.
With two job moves in 2 years I would still consider employing you. Once you've had your third job and get fed up with that I would not.
It's very arbitrary I admit, but that is my cut-off and based on experience.
If I were you I would actually think about what you really want to do rather than job hopping and hope that it becomes apparent because my experience is that it never does and you become progressively less employable with every move.
That said, I do think that if you can manage to stay somewhere for 3 or 4 years after having a number of job, this negates the bad impression that your first few give.
I suppose with that in mind my advice in a nutshell is not to move for the sake of it, only if you have a genuine interest in a job you think you will be able to stick at.
I left uni and worked for employer one for 18 months. Got offered 25% more money so went to employer two. Employer two turned out to be a shambles so left after 9 months. Now working for employer three who is the best out the lot, same money as employer two but lot more perks.
Don't just change job for extra cash I would say.
Make sure it is a good career move.
Don't just change job for extra cash I would say.
Make sure it is a good career move.
I hire software developers a lot. The current market has a massive skills shortage and developers are very hard to find. That makes it easy for them to move jobs regularly and very beneficial as you can take massive leaps in salary. If you are half decent having moved a few times wont hold you back and people will be biting your arm off anyway.
Early in my career I had 3 jobs in 3 years. Has never even been asked about.
I am struggling so much to find decent developers I am now working with someone in Estonia looking for developers there to move over here.
Early in my career I had 3 jobs in 3 years. Has never even been asked about.
I am struggling so much to find decent developers I am now working with someone in Estonia looking for developers there to move over here.
Thanks for the advice everyone, I think I'm going to make the move, but ensure I go for a post I could happily stay in for 4years+
Not surprised by what 944fan said, I haven't not got an interview so far and companies seem keen to impress me on what they're doing (isn't it meant to be the other way round?!). Good time to be a software engineer!
Not surprised by what 944fan said, I haven't not got an interview so far and companies seem keen to impress me on what they're doing (isn't it meant to be the other way round?!). Good time to be a software engineer!
IainT said:
To be honest I can't remember a bad time to be a good developer!
Quite right. Although the market seems such at the minute that even the s
test of developers are earning big bucks.I am getting CVs through for average .Net devs with 4 yrs experience and they want £50K. I reject them and get told its alright they have been offered that by someone else.
software its at and everyone just now is looking for something different something unique but its the developers that make it happen - the others all bleat about the difference we can do this we can do that we can develop this all singing platform and give you the earth.... yeah not unless that guy with the shizzmataz and knowhow knows how... and its the developers that have that skill.
The job move question can and does look off putting when its seen - recruitment and HR are old school and they like it when things conform - having too many jobs rings their alarm bells they don't want to take someone on that will bang them into the same position of recruiting a few months or so down the line or worse have to run them through an HR process for poor performance - that's work and as we all know HR hate having to work, they love sitting in their glass offices looking out and thinking they are above the rest of the herd. lol. all that typing might just break my nail and it would be a awful drag if it got in the way of discussing the juicy gossip.
But the people that are trying to develop the applications and platforms know what a good developer is worth and they will look at you - its as they say as long as you have valid reasons for moving and its you that did the moving not being pushed out etc. its a fluid environment and as I said so much just now with companies is riding on software as its that which makes business run smoothly.....
The job move question can and does look off putting when its seen - recruitment and HR are old school and they like it when things conform - having too many jobs rings their alarm bells they don't want to take someone on that will bang them into the same position of recruiting a few months or so down the line or worse have to run them through an HR process for poor performance - that's work and as we all know HR hate having to work, they love sitting in their glass offices looking out and thinking they are above the rest of the herd. lol. all that typing might just break my nail and it would be a awful drag if it got in the way of discussing the juicy gossip.
But the people that are trying to develop the applications and platforms know what a good developer is worth and they will look at you - its as they say as long as you have valid reasons for moving and its you that did the moving not being pushed out etc. its a fluid environment and as I said so much just now with companies is riding on software as its that which makes business run smoothly.....
IainT said:
944fan said:
average .Net devs with 4 yrs experience and they want £50K.
What's an experienced and competent Java/AngularJs dev worth then?It seems at the minute you can basically set your price and someone will pay it.
Spoke to a recruiter the other day whose candidate was offered two roles. The subsequent counter-offering saw the salary go from £60K to just under £80K. Bonkers.
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