Job hopping. What are the rules?
Job hopping. What are the rules?
Author
Discussion

speedy_thrills

Original Poster:

7,907 posts

272 months

Saturday 17th January 2015
quotequote all
To be honest I'd never thought much about this issue, if I liked a company I'd stay as long as practical (3-4 years usually) and if things didn't work out I'd politely exit (6-12 months)

However it looks like there is some solid research in the U.S. to suggest job hopping within a 2 year time frame is a good tactic to push up your salary. Also I notice many recruitment/HR people move at about 18 month intervals.

So what do employers typically look for or look to avoid when hiring? Obviously generally employers are willing to pay more to recruit than to retain staff but is there some unwritten convention on the optimum duration of employment? Obviously you'd expect to see people move along in their careers at a certain rate so take new roles or move between companies.

Ideas, views, thoughts or opinions?

EmmaJ

4,525 posts

175 months

Saturday 17th January 2015
quotequote all
If you're thinking like this, I'd suggest a move to contracting. You can job hop every 3 months and employers won't bat an eyelid smile

speedy_thrills

Original Poster:

7,907 posts

272 months

Saturday 17th January 2015
quotequote all
EmmaJ said:
If you're thinking like this, I'd suggest a move to contracting. You can job hop every 3 months and employers won't bat an eyelid smile
I am at the moment as it happens. However this arrangement has obvious disadvantages (e.g. companies tend to promote internally etc.)

mike9009

10,805 posts

272 months

Saturday 17th January 2015
quotequote all
I occasionally recruit for a small specialist engineering firm. To get an engineer 'up-to-speed' takes more than 12 months, so that they are useful to the business. Therefore, if I see someone 'hopping' jobs every 18-24 months I would probably avoid them as the training period is so long.

Obviously this is a quite specific case - but I cannot see any potential advantages to having this employment 'hopping' work profile on your CV. Rightly or wrongly, it suggests to me incompetence and the short time period is how long each business takes to find the prospective employee out!


Mike

rog007

5,828 posts

253 months

Saturday 17th January 2015
quotequote all
No 'rules' per se, just practice and prescedent. But for those who are the most ambitious with the competence to boot will be moving on average every 36 months. Stay longer, and it can give the impression of seeking comfort over challenge. Again, this is in the main a view for the most ambitious and capable cohort. Worth pointing out that this doesn't neccesarily mean changing organisations or sectors; you can be ambitious in the same organisation so one would anticipate moving roles every 3 years or so.

Why is this? Because if you're really good you will have mastered your brief and made the impact you were hired to make. Moving also increases experience and also tests you. If you find yourself faltering, then that's the point you may have reached your level of incompetence and so can manage your expectations from that point on.

Gargamel

16,349 posts

290 months

Monday 19th January 2015
quotequote all

Hi, I don't really mind a bit of skipping around. However there are risks.

Ideally I like to see at least one "solid" company experience where someone has delivered in a company and achieved an internal promotion.

If all the moves are 18 months and then out, then I just assume we would be treated the same way as an employer, rather than having someone we can invest in and develop into more senior roles.

From an employee point of view, this lack of deeper track record might mean that you repeat similar roles/experiences rather than gaining experience/seniority through moving

R8VXF

6,794 posts

144 months

Monday 19th January 2015
quotequote all
Gargamel said:
Hi, I don't really mind a bit of skipping around. However there are risks.

Ideally I like to see at least one "solid" company experience where someone has delivered in a company and achieved an internal promotion.

If all the moves are 18 months and then out, then I just assume we would be treated the same way as an employer, rather than having someone we can invest in and develop into more senior roles.

From an employee point of view, this lack of deeper track record might mean that you repeat similar roles/experiences rather than gaining experience/seniority through moving
Depends on the size of the company the candidate comes from. I move every one to two years as there has been no scope in the small companies I have worked for to get an internal promotion. Looking to move into larger firms now with better opportunities though. Getting a 10-15k pay rise each time has been a bonus as well which would probably not have been available in an internal move.

h0b0

9,055 posts

225 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
In most jobs 2-3 years is about right. Someone mentioned earlier that in cases where training takes an extended period of time I look for a candidate who will stay longer. So, it is role dependent.

I changed position internally every 2 years until my present role 6 years ago. I have written my c.v. to show both change and stability. It is getting sent out today so I will report back to you if it worked!

jogon

2,971 posts

187 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
Don't discuss potential moves with any of your colleagues until finalised and contract signed. Then approach your boss and say you have accepted a role elsewhere it may or may not be a competitior. You need not tell them anythig else.

Enjoy the next 4-12 weeks gardening leave depending on your position. Rince and repeat in 2-4 years time.

Lostprophet

2,549 posts

198 months

Tuesday 10th March 2015
quotequote all
This has been on my mind for a while. I tend to move every 2 years, fairly much on the anniversary! I do so for higher salary, better experience and a new challenge.

I am 34 and since graduation I have worked for 8 companies. One of those was a 6 month temp job, another was a 1.5 year temp job. I have been at my current job for a year.

I am qualified accountant.

I do worry about the moves but I need to earn more!

Vaud

59,296 posts

184 months

Wednesday 11th March 2015
quotequote all
Lostprophet said:
This has been on my mind for a while. I tend to move every 2 years, fairly much on the anniversary! I do so for higher salary, better experience and a new challenge.

I am 34 and since graduation I have worked for 8 companies. One of those was a 6 month temp job, another was a 1.5 year temp job. I have been at my current job for a year.

I am qualified accountant.

I do worry about the moves but I need to earn more!
I think it is okay in early career. If you move higher up into senior management it can raise questions as to "why you left".