The decision of whether to pursue career development within one company or change employers is a key one and can significantly impact your professional growth, expertise, and job satisfaction. Recent years have seen a spike in the percentage of so-called "job hoppers," which is considered the new standard behavior for younger Millennials and Gen Z. Whether you pursue long-term advancement within a company, or rather keep an eye on the market for a position you aspire to - neither approach must be an end in itself, but a thoughtful decision that includes evaluating the various pros and cons.
See what are the current positions attracting the most interest
For example, choosing to pursue a career within a company offers benefits such as developing a deeper knowledge of the organization, building lasting relationships with colleagues, and gaining a comprehensive understanding of the company culture. It also opens the door to significant growth opportunities, such as promotions and cross-functional training.
On the other hand, working for different organizations can offer diverse perspectives, a chance to learn new skills and, statistically speaking, potentially a higher salary. However, frequent job changes bring with them the stress of new beginnings, a lack of familiarity with company culture, and a potentially more challenging learning curve.
At a crossroads in deciding whether or not to jump to a new company, the right move always depends on individual goals, preferences, and priorities, and last but not least, the environment that organizations offer.
What should we pay attention to when making a decision?
When considering the decision to change employers for a potentially higher salary or position, it is important to consider factors such as management style, communication, and recognition and rewards programs.
Carefully comparing opportunities with different employers allows you to assess whether the move you are planning offers only short-term or also long-term positives and whether it aligns with your values and goals.
Compare different options and make an informed decision
How can you effectively communicate your desire for career development?
In order for a company to meet your expectations for development, effective communication on your part is necessary. As a first step, it is vital to identify your own career goals. Once you have this clarity, look for an opportunity to meet with your manager to discuss your career aspirations and express your interest in seeking development opportunities.
It is also a good strategy to ask your supervisor or a mentor in the organization for advice and guidance on how to achieve your goals and to jointly identify potential obstacles or challenges.
Suppose such communication and proactivity on your part do not result in progress within the timeframe defined by both parties. In that case, it may indeed be time to look around for new opportunities.
What are the potential risks of frequent job hopping in the name of career development?
However, jumping from company to company comes with a price. On the one hand, it can lead to a perceived lack of commitment to organizations and can be a barrier to building trust, and establishing a solid professional reputation in a particular industry or field. On the other hand, in many professions and functions, it is impossible to go deep and implement long-term strategies.
An alternative approach favored by many young professionals is the project-based work format, which involves a short to medium-term commitment. This way, with several different projects, one is able to get to know different areas and become familiar with a variety of company policies and cultures, without accumulating the negative perception of being a "job hopper".
