The True Cost of Job-hopping Through Your Career

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Abstract

m not equating a job with security. I’m talking about building career currency — what you’re worth right now on the job market.Having a dozen past employers on your resume with less than a year or two at each suggests a lack of stability — the work history of a restless soul who has no idea what they want to do with their life.Leaving a job too soon, especially within a year of being hired, can result in being labeled<a href="https://www.mau.com/career-tips/job-hopping"> a job-hopper, </a>someone who is unreliable and unpredictable — characteristics not generally associated with candidates for a mid-level or senior management position.<h2 id="a35f">With rare exceptions, a quick exit can be extremely difficult to rationalize to your next employer.</h2>They’ll want to know what happened. Leaving a job to distance yourself from a hostile atmosphere or a boss who made unreasonable demands may sound justified.But remember, unless the interviewer knows you personally or is intimately familiar with your previous situation, there’s going to be some underlying suspicion that you couldn’t handle it. And that’s a reflection on you.Worst case fallout? A new employer will wonder if <a href="https://www.thecut.com/article/ask-a-boss-job-hopping.html">you’ll do the same thing </a>— quit — the moment you’re faced with a difficult challenge.<h1 id="981f">I’ll leave you with this</h1>In my case, my dissatisfaction with the realities of work — compared to the fantasy I created — constantly prodded me to continue looking for a better position.<h2 id="bd1c">My biggest mistake?</h2>I never asked myself how I could turn my existing job into something better. I examined every opportunity through my preconceived notions of what a job SHOULD be — instead of what it COULD be.If you find yourself in this situation — a potential short-timer constantly looking for something better — concentrate on the positive aspects of your work while finding ways to make a meaningful contribution to the company’s productivity.Focus your attention on <a href="https://readmedium.com/roger-reid-5-suggestions-to-maintain-your-professional-edge-7f82fec235fa">developing your talent and skills</a> in your current environment, instead of constantly searching for a fantasized career position that has no counterpart in reality.<h1 id="21ee">Ask yourself . . .</h1><ul><li>What new opportunities could my existing job lead to?</li><li>What valuable contacts can I make while working here?</li

Options

<li>What additional activities can I initiate to make my job function more tolerable — and more valuable?</li></ul>The key to recognition, promotion, and career growth is to <a href="https://www.lifehack.org/articles/work/5-fast-ways-make-yourself-better-your-job.html">look beyond </a>the face value of your job. Start by projecting your future satisfaction — and success — by visualizing what your job could become with your influence.© 2021 <a href="https://successpoint360.com/">Roger Reid</a>. All Rights Reserved.<a href="https://successpoint360.com/about">Roger A. Reid, Ph.D.</a> is the host of <a href="https://www.successpoint360.com/">Success Point 360 Podcast </a>and author of <a href="https://amzn.to/33lLOZo">Better Mondays</a>.<div id="8f76" class="link-block">

      <a href="https://readmedium.com/roger-reid-feeling-engaged-in-your-work-is-up-to-you-39f8a09b7ef">

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            <h2>Feeling Engaged and Excited About Your Work is Up to You</h2>
            <div><h3>Expecting each hour of the day to return psychic dividends isn’t realistic</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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            <h2>3 Steps to Protect Yourself When Your Job is Unexpectedly Terminated</h2>
            <div><h3>How to have a positive professional transition when the pink slip arrives</h3></div>
            <div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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    </div><p id="2746"><a href="https://successpoint360.com/about"><b>Roger A. Reid, Ph.D.</b></a> is a certified NLP trainer with degrees in engineering and business. He’s the author of <a href="https://amzn.to/33lLOZo"><b><i>Better Mondays</i></b></a><b><i> </i></b>and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PMXMT2W"><b><i>Speak Up</i></b></a>, and host of <b>Success Point 360 Podcast</b>, offering tips and strategies for achieving higher levels of career success and personal fulfillment in the real world.</p></article></body>

So I followed my instincts

Mesmerized by the fantasy of finding the “Perfect Job” — the one that would let me sleep in until nine, roll into the office just in time for lunch, put in a solid three hours of work, and then spend the rest of the day reviewing my investment portfolio — I convinced myself to abandon a half-dozen career advancement opportunities.

In hindsight, my search for a “better job” was driven by one all-compelling need.

I wanted recognition. I wanted to be acknowledged and commended for my contribution. And yet, while I did my best to make one, no one seemed to notice.

From my perspective, I was slaving away at doing everything expected of me — and getting results. But the company saw it as no big deal. For them, it was business as usual. And that’s the way they treated me — another typical employee doing another typical job.

Believing a “better” employer was out there — one that would shower me with praise and a six-figure annual bonus — I began searching for greener pastures. Unfortunately, I didn’t consider the end-game. I never stopped to ask the three questions that could have kept my “career compass” pointed in the right direction.

Where was I headed?

Where would I eventually end up?

If I extrapolated my current career path, how would the ten-year result compare with my fantasized perfect career?

There is value in longevity

And no, I’m not equating a job with security. I’m talking about building career currency — what you’re worth right now on the job market.

Having a dozen past employers on your resume with less than a year or two at each suggests a lack of stability — the work history of a restless soul who has no idea what they want to do with their life.

Leaving a job too soon, especially within a year of being hired, can result in being labeled a job-hopper, someone who is unreliable and unpredictable — characteristics not generally associated with candidates for a mid-level or senior management position.

With rare exceptions, a quick exit can be extremely difficult to rationalize to your next employer.

They’ll want to know what happened. Leaving a job to distance yourself from a hostile atmosphere or a boss who made unreasonable demands may sound justified.

But remember, unless the interviewer knows you personally or is intimately familiar with your previous situation, there’s going to be some underlying suspicion that you couldn’t handle it. And that’s a reflection on you.

Worst case fallout? A new employer will wonder if you’ll do the same thing — quit — the moment you’re faced with a difficult challenge.

My biggest mistake?

I never asked myself how I could turn my existing job into something better. I examined every opportunity through my preconceived notions of what a job SHOULD be — instead of what it COULD be.

If you find yourself in this situation — a potential short-timer constantly looking for something better — concentrate on the positive aspects of your work while finding ways to make a meaningful contribution to the company’s productivity.

Focus your attention on developing your talent and skills in your current environment, instead of constantly searching for a fantasized career position that has no counterpart in reality.

WORK

The True Cost of Job-hopping Through Your Career

Constantly hunting for a better position could leave you empty-handed in the long-term

So I followed my instincts

In hindsight, my search for a “better job” was driven by one all-compelling need.

There is value in longevity

With rare exceptions, a quick exit can be extremely difficult to rationalize to your next employer.

I’ll leave you with this

My biggest mistake?

Ask yourself . . .

Feeling Engaged and Excited About Your Work is Up to You

Expecting each hour of the day to return psychic dividends isn’t realistic

3 Steps to Protect Yourself When Your Job is Unexpectedly Terminated

How to have a positive professional transition when the pink slip arrives