How bad does it look for a young person to change jobs frequently?

Career Opportunities & Internships
1

<p>Here's the deal - I had two internships in college (one summer internship and one semester long internship), one job immediately after college (that lasted 6 months), and now I'm on my second job (that I've also been at for about 6 months).</p>

<p>I'm planning on looking for a new job in the near future. There are a few significant ethical issues at the office I work at, plus it's horribly understaffed, which makes it a pretty stressful environment.</p>

<p>Will it look bad that I haven't stayed with anything long term? Or is that fairly normal for 23 year olds? I know that job hopping looks bad, but I wasn't sure if recent graduates have any leeway on that. (I'll also add that I live in Nevada, which tends to be a more transient state.)</p>

<p>I'm willing to stick it out for at least a year if I have to, but I wanted to get some input first.</p>

2

<p>well, if someone new hires you, then obviously they don’t have an issue with your work history, right?</p>

<p>that is the view that I would take, at least…</p>

3

<p>It’s looked negatively to employers. I have had two jobs (well one was an unpaid internship) since I graduated last year and I recently quit the latest one (60+ hours a week, close to minimum wage with really bad management and horrible working conditions). </p>

<p>I was at an interview earlier today and the person interviewing me really attacked me on why I have only stayed for about 6 months at each of my previous employments. I gave my reasons (little opportunity to advance, not really want I see myself doing in the future) but he didn’t really like those reasons. Employers are afraid that you will bail on them if you find a better job/pay and if you have a history of doing that, why hire you?</p>

<p>If possible, try to find a job while keeping your current one. I don’t really know why but employers tend to be okay if you’re looking for a job while you have one. But if money isn’t an issue and you are VERY unhappy with where you’re at, then quit. You have to make that decision yourself and I don’t want to say anything that will influence it one way or another. Hope that helps!</p>

4

<p>It’s a double-edged sword. It does look bad. Period. No way around it. </p>

<p>BUT … if you are moving into a new opportunity that you seeing yourself wanting to stay at for a few years, and if that new employer is willing to take you on despite a previous history of moving around often, then do it. </p>

<p>I know someone who had a job for two weeks and quit it for a much better opportunity. Three years later, he’s very happy with his decision. </p>

<p>I also think that, more and more, switching jobs often is becoming the new norm. It’s much less frowned up now than it was in the past. </p>

<p>Also, ‘switching a job’ is definitely the best way for a significant salary increase. Here’s a good article on that. [Want</a> a BIG Raise? Better look for a new job. | JobDig Career Search and Employment Guide - Because everyone should dig their job!](<a href=“LinkUp | Job Market Data”>LinkUp | Job Market Data)</p>

<p>I had a permanent office job starting in mid-2011, did it for a little less than a year. Hated it, hated the company, was underpaid, resigned after a year. Did some temp jobs for a while. A few months ago, I landed a permanent job that pays 63% more than I was making at my previous permanent job. Much happier in life, able to pay off debt and build savings much easier … and day to day things like grocery shopping and going out for a date are much less financially stressful. There is NO WAY that I would be making anywhere close to my current salary had I stayed at my past company. I would at most be making 2-3% more than I was a year ago. </p>

<p>It’d definitely be good for my long-term prospects to stay in my current job for 2-3 years. Yet, even since starting my current job, I’ve gotten some phone calls from headhunters asking me to interview for similar jobs in my area that pay 10-20% more. That’d make a big dent in helping me further build savings and pay off debt. So, it’s tough to walk away from a short-term savings and debt fix, especially since I don’t <em>LOVE</em> my current job. (it’s perfectly acceptable, don’t mind it at all, but nothing that I’m truly passionate about). … But I know that I can’t keep switching jobs every few months. Really just trying to last here at least a full year, and then open my mind from there. But if an amazing opportunity came along in a few months, I’d consider it. … I took my current job because my last temp position ended, and I was desperate for income. I really would have taken an offer from whichever company offered me first. Frankly, like I said above, I really needed money… It would be nice in the future to take a job because it truly interested me, and not solely because I was desperate for money. I think that a key to finding a job that you’re passionate about is having patience. It might not come for 6 months, or two years. So if you manage to keep yourself busy and employed and with income in the meantime, you’ll be able to more clearly search for a <em>dream job</em>, instead of being focused on getting a job anywhere just to pay the rent. … </p>

<p>So that’s where I am now. Extremely grateful for my current job, and trying my hardest to do well here and last as long as possible … but also passively keeping an eye open for something that I would love. Lucky and grateful to be employed with a good salary in the meantime.</p>

5

<p>I am a recruiter and have been for 20 years. The internships aren’t a big deal - that is what they are designed to be - short term. If you truly are miserable I would say quietly look for a new position BUT the next one has to be the right decision - you can NOT have 3 jobs out of school that are less than 6 months. So, take your time and remember the grass isn’t always greener - the next job you really need to keep for AT LEAST 2 years!</p>

6

<p>@ahsmuoh — Yep, completely agree with you.</p>

7

<p>I gave it some thought, and unless I get a truly amazing offer, I think I’m going to stick it out at this job for a full year. </p>

<p>Is 1 year reasonable? I’m assuming that it’s at least better than having two 6 month jobs. The job I’m at now is very entry-level, so I’m hoping that it will come across to future employers that I’m simply looking for a greater challenge (rather than just being flaky).</p>

8

<p>yea, 1 year is better than 6 months, 2 years is better than a year, etc.</p>

<p>having said that, if an amazing offer comes along in a week, don’t turn it down simply because it’s ‘not yet a year’. but you seem aware of that. props for having a good head on your shoulders.</p>

9

<p>Yes, a year is reasonable, but if I were you, I would start looking at other possibilities now. It may wind up taking two to three months between the time you submit your application and the time you start working, so be prepared for that. If you hate where you are, you shouldn’t stay there - you won’t be helping anybody! Don’t quit before you’ve found yourself another job, but don’t be afraid to look. It’s very common for recent graduates to hop around for a bit.</p>

<p>That said, as others have mentioned, your next job really needs to be one you can work for a couple of years. Make sure you ask the right questions… a lot of people see questions as just another way to impress the interviewer, but they forget that an interview is a two way street. Ask what the most difficult / worst things about the company are; ask what makes the company great; ask what you will be doing on a daily basis; ask who you will interact with and what your contribution will be.</p>

10

<p>Even when I was recruiting part-time, entry level cashiers for a retail store, I stayed away from applicants with several short-term jobs (internships were the exception, since they are structured to be short-term unless leading to a job after graduation). </p>

<p>The first 6 mo. job after college probably wasn’t a negative sign to your second employer - but having two six-month jobs will start to show a trend to your prospective third employer. DO NOT tell them you are leaving because you don’t like what’s going on in the office unless you can word it in an objective, mature way. Bad mouthing previous employers puts a negative taste in an interviewer’s mouth, and the last thing they want to hear is, “I didn’t like the management.” If this becomes a trend, then it appears that the applicant just doesn’t want to work or has a hard time getting along with coworkers/management, is uncooperative, etc.</p>

<p>You also want to make sure that your positions are advancing your personal development and career somehow, as that will offset the short histories. For example, you worked as a supervisor for a small department, and 6 months later were offered a position managing a much larger department, then leave that position after a year to take over an entire division. That is progressive and will look impressive that you’re moving up so quickly. But if you’re bouncing around from one entry-level job to another, it will seem as though you are unclear in your ambitions and are a risk for the potential employer. Training and turnover is costly. </p>

<p>As a side note, strategic job hopping can be a good way to quickly propel yourself upward. In my field (HR), I have noticed that many young, budding HR managers don’t stay in a position for more than 2-3 years before either being promoted, or leaving for a position at a new company with greater responsibility. But 6 months to a year is too short of a time to learn many valuable skills and make an impact at your current employer. That impact, along with attained results, are critical for resume development and provide more topics to speak genuinely about in an interview.</p>

11

<p>People generally leave a job because a) they’re unhappy with their boss, b) they don’t like the environment and c) they’re unhappy with salary in that order. </p>

<p>So when you get the urge to leave your job, think hard about exactly why you want to do it. Is there anything you can do to change the situation ? Is it a much better opportunity ? Is it much more salary ? Is it faster growth ? Remember that the grass always looks greener on the other side. Don’t change jobs unless you’re very clear why you’re doing it. </p>

<p>That said, it does look bad on your resume if you change jobs too frequently (unless ofcourse its internships which are designed to be short term). You can overcome that by being creative about presenting it on your resume and highlight the things you bring to the table more. </p>

<p>Once you’re in the door, explain to the hiring manager clearly why you decided to change the jobs frequently. Be authentic and focus on the positive reasons - “it was a much better opportunity” …etc. Never say things like I wasn’t happy with my boss or salary …etc. Just focus on the positive side of why you changed. </p>

<p>Hope that helps.</p>

12

<p>It really depends. Some fields are more receptive to constant company switching - high tech for example. Others favor/reward brand and company loyalty. </p>

<p>As a student doing internships, no one is going to really stick it to you for jumping around. People know that you’re experimenting and want to get a better idea of what’s out there. </p>

<p>PS. A lot of people know that certain internships are essentially slave labor. No one’s going to look down on you for kicking in the bucket, unless they are a similar breed as your previous employer. Besides, it’s more important that you leave for your own mental health and perspective. Millions of people lock into crappy jobs because that’s all they know and what they’re used to.</p>

13

<p>

</p>

<p>Or the employer is doing poorly (i.e. high risk of losing the job anyway due to layoffs or employer closing down if one stays).</p>