How To Break The Job Hopping Habit

People decide to change jobs for a number of reasons; it could be to make the next step in their career, to experience different sectors or to gain further job satisfaction. According to recent research, those who are born in the past 30 years are more likely to jump ship earlier than their older counterparts.

However if you have a high number of jobs under your belt, it can affect your chances of landing a new role in the future; as companies can sometimes view job hoppers as being uncommitted.

If you switch roles on a regular basis, take a look at our handy guide on how you can improve your job longevity:

Get A Clear Objective
It can sometimes be difficult to know which direction we would like to take our careers. One of the main reasons behind job hopping is employees are unsure of where they want to go next in the professional world. Coming up with a clear plan of action for your career is more likely to give you a focus which is likely to make you more committed to job roles.

Do Your Research
Many people job hop because their role isn’t exactly what they signed up for. Before you apply for a potential new job, conduct your research online about the key duties which will be expected of you. To ensure that you’ll get a full overview of the position, don’t be afraid to contact the recruiter as they will be able to clarify any information and address your concerns.   

Seek Out Knowledge About The Company
While it’s important to conduct your research about your desired role before fully committing it, it’s also essential that you get to know the company before you start. After all, if your personality doesn’t fit with the current company culture, you are not likely to stay. During the recruitment process, ensure that you ask the recruiter plenty of questions about why they decided to join the company and what they enjoy most about their role.

Take On Additional Responabilities
Many employees decide to move on after a short space of time because they aren’t challenged enough in their role. If you are feeling this way in your current position, have a chat with your manager about the possibly of taking on any additional duties which will equally challenge you and improve your skillset.  

Seek Training Opportunities
The lack of training and development opportunities can make employees want to jump ship. Many companies will conduct reviews with their employees to see which areas they would like to develop. This can be the perfect opportunity to suggest some training which you feel would benefit your career. Remember businesses are more willing to invest money and time into training staff who are fully committed to the company.  

Commit To The Two Year Rule
Before you start a new role, you should fully prepare yourself to be at an employer for at least 2 years.  The reason behind this is it can take a whole year to fully get to know the company and their processes. It can then take a second year for you to make a real impact on the role. After this period, you should be able to judge if the position is right for you or if it is time to move on.

The Grass Isn’t Always Greener
We all have difficult days at work, even at the most perfect jobs we can sometimes struggle. Bad days can make us more likely to bolt and seek out a new opportunity. However it’s important to remember that the grass isn’t always greener and other roles have their difficult days too. Instead, you should try to work through any issues at your current employer, before making the decision to take your next career move.