The Career Move – How often should you change jobs?

here are several pros and cons to changing jobs. It is always a question we get asked from candidates who have been with one company their entire career or candidates who have made several quick moves, “Does it look bad?” I recently interviewed a candidate who had been with the same company from Uni and had worked their way up 15 years later. They asked the same question, “Does it look bad that I have only ever worked with one company my entire career?” I always seem to struggle with this question because it can completely depend on the candidate, their role or the companies they were with. Here are some notes…

Pros:
Commitment – staying with the same company for an extended amount of time may show commitment to your job, clients, and employer.
Ambition – A candidate who has worked their way up the totem pole within one company may show leadership or better demonstrate how committed they are in their career progression.

Cons:
A less Diverse Work Experience – experience in one company can make candidates biased or less knowledgeable about other working environments
Lack of Ambition – candidates who stay within the same role for an extended amount of time may show a lack of ambition. It may show how difficult they are coping with change.

At the same time, there are also pros and cons to changing jobs quickly. I interviewed a candidate recently who had made several quick moves over the past six years. Five different roles in six years. They asked the same question, “Does it look bad that I have jumped around a bit the last 5 years?” Here are some notes on the pros and cons of changing jobs quickly…

Pros:
Ambition – Depending on the amount of time spent in the role, it could show how committed the candidate is to learning and their career development Diverse Work Experience – candidates who have worked in different companies and sectors get a better feel for different office environments and tend to be more well-rounded.

Cons:
Lack of Dedication – For some recruiters and employers it can raise a red flag. Is the candidate not committed to their job, clients or employer?
Uncertainty – So many quick moves may show employers and recruiters how indecisive the candidate is in what they want in their career. Employers who need employees for the long term may be put off from the outset.

Be careful about making your next step. Ask yourself if it is in fact the right time to move. If there is an opportunity to work your way up at work, it might also be worth working your way up in your current role. If you ever need any advice or help in the travel industry, HARP wallen is here to help…

Written by, Emily Ziolkowski
Twitter: Emily_HWER