"Huh, changing job again?"

"Have you even held a job for a year?"

Do these quips sound familiar to you? Well, they sure do to me. Let's explore the highs and lows of job hopping at a pace that leaves your beloved family and friends bewildered at every annual get-together.

Let’s start with the pros, shall we?

1. PRO – Bump up your salary

This is the primary reason all job hoppers jump ship instead of waiting on the sidelines for the promised "increments and bonuses" at the end of the financial year. Well, sometimes the increased income speaks for itself, but there are also potential risks you undertake – the uncertainty of the next working environment, culture, and actual nature of the job. I've found myself leaving jobs before the probation period ended due to the toxic nature of the working environment – so let the buyer beware.

Then again, it’s always tempting to make a switch when an interested employer offers a 30% salary increment, isn’t it? To make the right move, I believe it’s always important to be in touch with your current skillset and ensure that you don’t under or over-sell yourself to potential employers and recruiters.

2. PRO – Broaden your experience and exposure

Working at several companies and trying different job roles can fast-track your career growth and advancement. Not only will you pick up a myriad of skills, but you’ll also learn to work cross-functionally and broaden your knowledge and expertise. In my opinion, it takes about three to six months to be fully engaged in your new position/company, and a year to be fully competent in your job function. However, if you don't spend enough time to really learn the ropes at every new company or job role, you'll only end up becoming a jack of all trades, master of none.

Inadvertently, this also translates to sharpening your soft skills. Changing work environments also allows you to network with more people and build more connections – a little can go a long way in this case and all it takes is just stepping out of one’s comfort zone.

3. PRO – Push yourself beyond the comfort zone

Staying in a job for a long time creates a comfort zone, or even a form of complacency. Taking on a new job on the other hand comes with new challenges that can help push you out of that comfort zone and achieve a higher level of performance.

To put things into perspective, imagine this. You’re stuck in a dead-end job that’s low on career advancement prospects and lack the motivation to push yourself. Work is A-okay, but you don’t find it particularly inspiring. A job opportunity reveals itself where you’ll have to pivot your job responsibilities to working with global clients instead of just regional accounts. You know challenges abound (i.e., early morning and late-night calls) but it’s clear as day that this is the leap in life you need to take.

If you’re new to the workforce, this article on 4 must-haves when you’re adulting might come in clutch for you as well.

4. CON – Your commitment level might be questioned

Potential employers will most likely enquire about your job-hopping history and have some doubts surrounding your willingness to stay. Although some employers are progressively becoming more willing to open their doors to job-hoppers, others prefer candidates who demonstrate their ability to stay on the job longer, which ultimately fits into their ideals of a long-term team and business strategy.

P.S. As a reformed job-hopper, I've had to field a myriad of questions surrounding my past employment. Be mentally prepared to explain why you made those moves and why this future role/company is right for you. By the time I moved to my fourth company, I intentionally took some time to introspect and ponder over whether the next company was the right place for me in terms of workload, culture, and job description – the time invested in doing this is always well worth it.  

5. CON – Limited career advancement

Because they don’t stay long enough, job hoppers won't always qualify for internal promotions and other benefits of being a full-time employee. If you have the tendency to switch companies every year or two, you might miss out on bonuses and promotion cycles. Some companies also have a policy of only handing out promotions and bonuses to employees who've completed at least a year of service.

Side note: If you’re prone to switching careers frequently, remember that you’ll also lose your corporate insurance benefits in between jobs – it’s best to keep yourself protected with your own hospitalisation plan as well, at the minimum.

6. CON – The habit of quitting might grow on you

Job hopping can enable the bad habit of quitting, especially when times get tough. It's best to dig deep and understand your inner motivations behind the move first. I usually ask myself these questions: 

- Do I find myself wanting to leave when my company or department is going through a tough time? 
- Do I feel like quitting whenever I’m criticised? 

Generally, it's a good sign if the answers to these questions are "no".  

Overall, job hopping (and in fact, any job switch) is always a gamble for both the employee and employer. Both parties engage in the strange ritual of sussing out each other and the vibe check follows. Always keep both your eyes and mind open when you’re on the hunt for a new job.

^Notes

^{As this product has no savings or investment feature, there is no cash value if the policy ends or if the policy is terminated prematurely. Buying a health insurance policy that is not suitable for you may impact your ability to finance your future healthcare needs.}