Do you think "job hopping" has the same stigma as it used to? How many jobs is too many?

9 Comments

1. AnonymousJanuary 8,2025 at 6:48PM UTC

   No i don't think so. In this market and post pandemic it's extremely common. Everything is in flux.

2. AnonymousJanuary 8,2025 at 6:54PM UTC

   What about in government? I have been in state government eight years. In order to earn more money, you have to move around by applying to other jobs.

3. AnonymousJanuary 8,2025 at 7:13PM UTC

   How do you define job hopping? While all of us would love to say that it's not a thing - truth is to many hiring managers, it is still a red flag. One HM I have worked with believes that two years or less at multiple jobs is a red flag (myself and our recruiter would have extended conversations with him - unfortunately every time we convinced him to hire someone he viewed as a job hopper, he proved us wrong). I have another HM that thinks an individual staying in jobs less than 3 years each is a red flag. Of course, she has also requested that we not send her anyone over the age of 45. She is no longer allowed to interview or be involved in the process. Many of us would like to see her removed from the company altogether.

4. Barb HansenJanuary 8,2025 at 9:13PM UTC

   I hate that "job hopping" is even a thing. The best way to increase your salary and open your career to new job opporunities is to find a new job, but we are told to "not look for new jobs because you'll be viewed as a job hopper" but that's just my never to be humble opinion, and I will step off my soapbox :) I think it depends on the industry. I've spent most of my business career in tech startup and my longest stint at any startup was 3 years. Some may think that having a career of not staying more than 1 to 3 years at any one company means I'm not a good employee, but in tech startup stage that I work (bootstrapped, seed, series A/B), that type of employment is very common - the team that builds startups are not necessarily that same team of people who take startups through Series C to IPO. Startups get funded, new management is brought in and many time, the early team is shown the door. Not because the early team aren't great people, it's because different skills are needed. Having short job tenures on your resume in startup land is not necessarily concerning, because most hiring managers are looking for startup experience. My previous career was in clinical healthcare and I worked at one hospital for 13 years, and that tenure was short compared to my colleagues.

5. AnonymousJanuary 8,2025 at 11:25PM UTC

   I have had 4 jobs in the past 4 years by choice (each more $). Not one Employer blinked at my Job Hopping. I actually used it to my advantage so I didn't have to play coy with comp negotiations.

6. AnonymousJanuary 9,2025 at 1:33PM UTC

   If we were a year or 2 out of Covid, not a stigma. Now, yes, job hopping matters, IMO. There needs to be solid reasons for recruiters to accept those these days. Too many? What is the time frame? Less that a year job after job, yes. concerned. Less that 2 years consistently, yes concerned. Also a good recruiter should already know if any of those leave decisions were do to company layoffs or closing, those would not be a concern. They need to stay on top of those.

7. Paulla Fetzek, MSEdJanuary 9,2025 at 2:22PM UTC

   I believe it still is, and I believe it's still dependent upon age.

   Those under 30 have more of an opportunity to job hop. Many employers seem to really frown upon anyone over 40 doing so.

   It also depends on the employer. Some people see job hopping as a person constantly pursuing new opportunities. Others see it as a red flag of instability.

   I started my first full-time job in 1989. Back then, job hopping was definitely frowned upon. "Make your job your career" was the motto-of-the-day.

   I guess I'm old-fashioned enough to have adhered to this too. In my 36-year professional career, I've held just 3 jobs. The shortest was for 4 years and I didn't leave by choice. I was impacted by a massive layoff. I've been at my current job the longest. I'll celebrate the start of my 22nd year on April 1!

8. AnonymousJanuary 11,2025 at 12:41AM UTC

   Job hopping or ‘tire kicking” is different for different work eras. Another poster hit the nail on the head. However, the newest working generation will only stay for 1-3 years. Gone are the days people worked for 30 years in the same job and retired. They do exist still for sure but out of the gate going from job to job should be at least 1-3 years without a red flag to a future employer. Most stay 3-4 years max and move on and that’s ok. How many jobs are you referring to and how long were you at each?

9. Megan LeasherJanuary 13,2025 at 11:27AM UTC

   For some recruiters and companies, it is still a thing. That frustrates me. People nowadays move jobs at various times for various reasons and it seems silly to me that there is still a stigma perceived by some.