Is job hopping bad?

Anonymous

September 11,2023 at 6:45PM UTC

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Is job hopping bad?

I have been working at my ngo for about 11 months now and I can honestly say I’m burned out and fed up. I have a master’s degree and I’m being paid $17 (USD) an hour while doing 3 people’s jobs under management that is less than ideal. The office has turned into high school with clicks and has a high turnout of staff. Not including my supervisors I’m the most senior person there second to one other who ha only worked there for 2 years and is looking for another job. She said there have been 4 other times in her 2 years that we have had short staff and turnover. I had gotten told that after my 3 month probation I’d be making $21 per hour. Then right before all of the new hires started they said they couldn’t afford to on my grant. I find out today that ALL the new staff make more than me and the other senior employee starting at $20 with less qualifications than us. (The other senior employee makes $18 USD per hour). I was thrown into multiple positions as was she and these new people have one position.

I’m also starting the process of looking for another one but, I feel like because my resume has weird undergraduate work study jobs and freelance contract jobs it looks horrible to not want to stay, I’m also not sure I can feasibly suck it up for another year though without going absolutely nuts

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AnonymousSeptember 11,2023 at 8:05PM UTC
Hop and hop alongggg! lol Honestly, do what makes you happy because you deserve that. Companies expect loyalty but folks are losing their jobs left and right, regardless if they started 1 day ago or have been there for 10+ years.
There is NOTHING wrong with moving around and I'm a firm believer of making necessary moves when you don't see yourself learning or earning on your current job. Based on your current situation, it sounds like you should definitely be looking elsewhere.
Agree with getting your resume to a place that best represents how you want recruiters to consume your career story. You control your career story and you aren't obligated to go into the details.
Good luck to you!!
AnonymousSeptember 11,2023 at 8:29PM UTC
Nope, I never stayed longer than 5 years (with consistent promotions) but even that is so old school.
I think 2-3 years with a promotion during that time is perfect.
I jumped around all the time during my 40 year career. I made more money and created more expertise than my peers. It's been exciting and very rewarding. I say make more $ and keep employers on their toes.
On average I stay 2.3 years per job.
AnonymousSeptember 11,2023 at 11:44PM UTC
+1 to making more money when you move around too!
AnonymousSeptember 11,2023 at 8:44PM UTC
I don't blame you!! You can do much better!!!
tessa bleakSeptember 11,2023 at 9:06PM UTC
The mindset around job hopping is changing for the better, and most recruiters know very well that just because someone didn't stay at a company for a 1 yr+, it does not mean they are not skilled or qualified.
There are many valid reasons to "job hop", including your own.
The key is to be ready to speak about why you want to make a change and know that some interviewers may still ask about your tenure. You could speak to looking for room for growth without talking negatively about your current employer while interviewing.
You deserve to be paid fairly and to feel respected by your employer.
AnonymousSeptember 12,2023 at 12:16PM UTC
Do what's best for yourself, your health, and your finances. Have you considered a working with resume professionals since that's a concern for you
AnonymousSeptember 12,2023 at 1:16PM UTC
Just to add to the advice about updating your resume, when you prepare for interviews be sure to have answers prepared that focus on why you want the new job (and why you think you could be happy there for a while), not on why you want to leave the old one.
Vanessa McMainsSeptember 12,2023 at 1:45PM UTC
You’re worth more and you deserve better. Highlight your skills and specialties in bullets before your employment/school history and have answers ready about why you have short stints at places.
Sarah BordersSeptember 12,2023 at 2:24PM UTC
I’m sorry you’re dealing with such an unpleasant situation. If this is your first full-time, non-freelance job since graduating, I wouldn’t worry about it too much. For your resume, I think it’s acceptable to group work study jobs under one heading, and freelance work under another, rather than listing everything out separately, and it’s totally OK if the dates overlap a bit. Employers are less concerned about job hopping these days than they used to be, and if it’s still relatively early in your career, you get a bit of a pass on it, too. Lots of people have fits and starts early on before they find the right path. Good luck!
Afo Ogbeyalu KaluSeptember 12,2023 at 3:05PM UTC
Job-Hopping is not bad . . . arguably, it is becoming more of a norm as we have entered "A Gig Economy" . . . .
Consider using a Functional Resume Template which highlights skills, or a hybrid functional/chronological resume template. There are many examples found online.
You may also want to consider hiring a Career Coach, and registering with a placement agency, with specialization in NGO Sector . . . .
https://www.citylimits.org job-board posts openings in NFP and Public Sectors
I offer Career Coaching, Resume Revision, and Interview Prep Services as well:https://www.aokconceptsunlimited.com
AnonymousSeptember 12,2023 at 6:18PM UTC
Find a place where you can build your career and not just make it about money. Then the job hopping won't be an issue because you are building upon yourself. If you are learning things in the role that you are in and not making as much as you would like but still have the opportunity to excel and move up then the value is there to stay otherwise move on. Don't think you know it all instead remember your true value is in what you gain from each employer as you navigate the career ladder in your field. Job satisfaction and longevity happen when you have those and money is the icing on that cake. Think long term about what you want career-wise and the answers will be obvious. Don't speed through before you are truly ready.
AnonymousSeptember 13,2023 at 10:27AM UTC
Money pays the bills and is the reason most people work. It's disingenuous to tell people not to make it "about the money." Would you do what you do if you knew you were underpaid? This is a senior worker with a master's degree, and even if it wasn't, all workers deserve to be fairly compensated for their work.
AnonymousSeptember 14,2023 at 5:11PM UTC
No one is disputing that but in the end you need job satisfaction and happiness too.
AnonymousSeptember 13,2023 at 12:47PM UTC
Unfortunately, ANYWHERE you go and give 110%, THEY will let you go making it about money.
Do yourself a favor, give all you can but remember.,.. work to live, not live to work
AnonymousSeptember 14,2023 at 5:10PM UTC
sour grapes? no need to take positive commentary and rain on it.
Heather (she/her)September 13,2023 at 10:26AM UTC
Job hopping is absolutely the norm in most industries now, and there's a ton of research on how (especially in the U.S. market) the market has created a situation where it might be the only way to get a better position or better pay. If you look at the resumes of senior leaders, it's very common to see 1-2 years at each position. So no, I don't think job hopping is bad, as long as you're able to explain your choices, learnings, and skills in a cover letter and/or interview.
Kaytlyn TomassiSeptember 13,2023 at 12:04PM UTC
Job Hopping is better than staying someplace that doesn’t work for you. And if anyone asks why you switched jobs so quickly “it just wasn’t a good fit for me” needs weren’t being met, actual job didn’t match description, etc
Clarissa CortezSeptember 13,2023 at 4:49PM UTC
As someone who has job hopped a lot especially the last few years and has been in multiple management positions I would say its all about what’s better for you. Jobs say they care but at the end of the day you are replaceable. I left a management job last year that I wasn’t happy at after 6 months and went from capped at $16.50 (ridiculous) to $24 in one month because I quit and got a better job. The place ended up closing down after the 7months I was there and I got an even better paying job a month later. I only have my highschool diploma but I’m experienced and great at interviews. I’m in my late twenties working retail and just wanna say my moms worked in offices all her life and it’s the same drama in every workplace at any age I feel. So I suggest you do what you feel is best for you and also don’t tell anyone that you are thinking of looking or changing jobs.
Rebecca MillikenSeptember 14,2023 at 12:00AM UTC
Think of yourself. Look for a new job.