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Should I Stay or Should I Go?: The Pros and Cons of Job-Hopping

Sometime after landing your dream job, you might find out that the dream isn't as pleasant as it sounded during the interview, or you just may not be the right "fit." In that case, you may find yourself looking for another job not long after beginning the first, thus entering the zone of "job-hopping," moving from one job to the next, oftentimes staying at a company for less than one year. In an age in which mergers and downsizing are common, this isn't ideal, but it's simply unavoidable. In other cases, job-hopping can be a boon to your career.

Let's take a look at some of the pros and cons of this phenomenon, one that you may find yourself facing as you enter the workforce and begin your career.

The Downside

Job-hopping can leave you short of the experience that some employers demand. Your résumé may read like a grocery list-Firm A for eight months, Company B for four months, and so on. This problem can be compounded by switching industries, making you look sub-par on paper.

But there are ways to cope with a spotty résumé. One strategy is to group two or more similar positions under one heading, like "Account Representative, ACME Industries and ABC Company, 3/2001-4/2003." Remember: Your résumé is a marketing tool, so you can leave out very short-term positions. (However, for certain job applications a complete work history is required, and it is illegal to falsify or spin it.) And always make sure you highlight the contributions you've made to each company, no matter how short a time you were there.

Another more subtle negative effect of job-hopping is the fact that you create turnover, which can be hard on a company's culture and morale, not to mention their bottom line. A company where one year under your belt makes you an "old timer" doesn't foster the type of collegial atmosphere and culture that gives a job the beyond-the-paycheck appeal that makes work truly satisfying.

The Upside

On the other hand, to be called a job hopper isn't necessarily the slam it used to be. In fact, in industries such as PR, advertising, and technology, job-hopping is viewed as necessary to keep up with industry changes.

You may find that exploring different jobs, and maybe even different industries, is beneficial in zeroing in on your ideal work scenario. You can extend your professional network faster, develop different skill sets, and learn how to problem-solve different challenges. In some cases, moving from one job to another is the fastest way to increase your salary and get a better title. (But a word of caution: Don't appear to be driven by greed.)

Attitudes in these job-hopping industries have begun to seep into more traditional industries. In fact, in some circles job-hopping can be seen as ambitious, and workers who've stayed with one company for as few as five years might have to account for their "long-term" stint.

The dot-com boom of the 1990s changed the rules concerning an employee's length of stay. It also affected employers' expectations. But fear not: Employers are mostly interested in the big-picture of your career. HR professionals often only think ill of those whose résumés reflect short-term tenures if it reflects a pattern of indecisiveness or fickleness.

There are thousands of employers searching for thousands of employees out there-whether you're a job hopper or a one-company woman will depend on the employer, the industry, and your skill set