A millennial’s biggest fear – looking like a job hopper. Well, one of their biggest fears anyway. A job hopper is someone who only spends a small amount of time with a company and then switches on to the next thing. Their resume has quite a few jobs listed, but not a lot of time spent at each job. So it can look like that person can’t commit and might not be considered for the new job they are looking at.
I’m sure this has been a problem before millennials, but it was much less common. The work force has changed so much from when my parents first started out. You would get a job with a company and stay there and grow. There was better pay, upward mobility, and a culture of commitment.
I’m not saying millennials can’t commit, I’m saying things are much different now. I left my first job after 6 months and was so afraid it was going to hurt me in the long run. But I left because that job, that required a college degree, was paying me $12 an hour. It wasn’t sustainable, there was nowhere for me to grow in the company. Even though I had just been switched from part time to full, it was clear to me that while I gained good experience, I needed a new job.
And these are things people my age face every time they get a job. They get a job and learn that there’s major turnaround in the company and no one ever trains them. They get a job because they’re desperate and the pay isn’t that great. They get a job and see that no one ever leaves the company so there’s no upward mobility in sight.
There are so many valid reasons to leave a job before a year is up. I’m sure some people even feel bad leaving before two years, three years, or even five years! But it’s all circumstantial and now that the workforce has changed so much, I think being a job hopper is just common. But because it is, I would urge most young people to think long and hard about accepting a job offer. You should want to see yourself for years, trust me, it’s much better to find comfort within the same company than it is to start over all the time.
Rosie Culture 
Considering I’m 24, I’d say I’ve had my fair few amount of jobs, possibly more than the average person my age? I’ve been employed by around 8 different companies, so I’m not sure if that’s a lot really, considering other people I know, everyone varies! Although I think 8 employments is quite alot considering my age I wouldn’t consider myself a job hopper as such. At least not intentionally. I believe it’s down to the unreliability of the current working economy*? *Is that the right word? Lol.
My second most recent job I was made redundant from, therefore I was essentially forced to job hop. There’s an INCREDIBLE lack of full time work out there at the moment, at least from where I’m looking. Every time I search full time jobs in my area, only around 1 out of 10 of those is actually full time. The rest is 16 hours, or even worse, 0 hour contracts.
It’s terribly concerning that this is the world we live in these days, although I do believe everything happens for a reason. When I think about it, as much as I’d love a fulfilling career, is it really such a problem to be a job hopper when all I really want to do is travel? If job hopping is what will enable me to do that then I’m all for it, although hopefully I’ll get my perfect career which enables me to do both!
Thanks so much for sharing!
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You’re right! There aren’t many full time jobs because companies aren’t looking to give benefits. 8 in your whole life or just your adult life?? Since college graduation I’ve had 2 jobs and I’m 26 now
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Exactly! Well I’ve worked it out in total since I turned 16, I’ve had 11 jobs! Wow! You’re definitely not a job hopper then!
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Not really but I know plenty of people who have the fear and even I felt sooo guilty leaving my first job like I had an obligation to stay for years and years!
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The days of having one job in your life are long gone. While there were benefits to that, there were also setbacks.
Today’s job hopping can increase the possiblity of a person jumping into a job that is a perfect fit.
Have a great weekend.
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Very true!
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I so strongly relate to this post, it’s sick. I just posted about an issue I recently had at work and it for sure made me consider my future with this organization. But like many today, my company is one that people work 20, 30, even 40+ years in their position making it nearly impossible for the younger generation to get hired. My predecessor was in her position for 43 years!
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Yes it’s crazy! It feels like people are either at companies for less than 3 years or more than 20 – no in between!
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I think the trend of job hopping will continue into the future. As long as pay remains stagnant in some areas people will have to change jobs multiple times in order to pay the bills. Some will even have to take two jobs to make ends meet.
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Definitely seems to be the trend!
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I think many of us saw our parents or older coworkers get laid off by companies they had been with for decades, so it’s hard to be loyal to a company that wouldn’t be loyal to you, especially when they aren’t paying much. I must be an exception because I’ve only had two jobs since college, one at a newspaper for 6 and a half years and my current editing position for five.
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100% – I still keep seeing people who have been with a company for 30+ years getting laid off and just can’t wrap my mind around being treated that way
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I can relate to this!! I thought being in healthcare would somehow put me in a more secure position because that’s what everyone says after all, but it’s not all true. I have job hopped several times myself and honestly, landing those previous positions have made me traumatized and somewhat paranoid to move anywhere else. But the lack of growth was present. The pay was fine, but it was not enough hours. The hours were unstable, you get penalized in some places if someone cancels, which is totally unfair! The job culture nowadays is so different but you’re totally right in that we have to just move on if necessary. It’s not worth slaving for if it’s not going to benefit in the long run, although it would be nice if we could just find that one company who would give us enough $ and treat us right, right?? Thanks for sharing!
Geraldine | https://geraldinetalks.com
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Ugh right!! I’ve never even understood why some people are so comfortable with cancelling or not showing up for medical appointments, so rude and wastes so many peoples time. I think it just takes time to find the place that will stick – there has to be SOMETHING out there for us!
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I crave finding a job I can stay at for a while. It’s kind of ironic that I stayed at a job for 15 years that I didn’t like, made a career change, and I’ve had 4 jobs in the last 3 years. Not by choice some of them…
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ugh well at least you got out of the bad job you stayed at for so long
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Yeah, seriously. That was a drain on my life source. Now I just job hop like the rest of you.
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I am having this issue right now with my current job. I started in the middle of March but am already considering leaving. It’s not the job itself but it’s where I am living. I don’t know how many more months I can stay here. I know moving back home could be a valid excuse as to why my job stint was so short here. But I still hate having something on my resume that’s less than 6 months.
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That 6 months really just makes us all feel so bad right?! I think moving is very valid for leaving a job, but finding a job you like can be hard. Definitely a tough decision!
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We have something similar called temping or ‘job temping’ as a temporary employee for companies where say the admin is sick or someone is on maternity leave, things like that. Sometimes, companies want to try out employees and so if they like you as a temp, they might hire you permanently. I hope eventually as a job hopper you find something like this eventually, that sparks your interest and pays well. Hugs and hope you are well Rosema.
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We also have temping! Here being a temp isn’t a great option since you might not be hired after and you might not get benefits. I’m more referring to leaving a full time, permanent job for a different job in a short period of time and fearing it’ll impact your resume.
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Ah, I see what you mean Rosie. You’re right it is something that can be a concern, but sometimes if a job doesn’t work for you, it doesn’t work for you. I think many employers are used to going through more workers lately as not everyone works out either. But, it’s fair to be worried about it. I guess just be honest at the next job interview, if it’s not for you than tell your new employer (possible) and what you learned on a positive note. Take care.
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I think I might be considered a job hopper by some. I am 43 years old and I don’t believe in working for my un-happyness! Imho people leave bad bosses and it is an act of respect!
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