Why Do We Job Hop so Much?

Job hopping, as opposed to company loyalty, became an industry norm as the 21st century began and companies downsized. This meant letting go of higher-paid employees who stayed with firms 20 and 30 years and replacing them with younger, lower-paid staff. American workers still change jobs frequently, but for different reasons. This is largely in part thanks to younger employees with new, shifting ideals regarding workplace satisfaction.

The millennial generation may shoulder some of the blame for frequent job hopping. Younger workers want to feel passionate about job fulfillment at companies as opposed to staying with firms longer for higher pay. Many American workers entering the labor market feel as if a cantankerous boss does not align with an underling's goals of overall job bliss. Millennials are more mobile and willing to leave a company when jobs no longer meet their standards.

In a survey conducted by Bentley University of 1,000 millennials, participants hinted at reasons why job hopping has become an issue for job seekers and employers. Just 30 percent of those surveyed may stay within an unpleasant work environment to achieve career success. Poor managers disrupt morale, affect team camaraderie and cause younger workers to leave for other companies offering management styles that better align with their ideal situation.

Statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor also spotted a trend connecting job hopping and younger workers. Employees between the ages of 55 and 64 have a median job tenure of 10.4 years, whereas workers between 25 and 34 have a job tenure of three years. Part of this could be due to the fact that younger workers may take more time to settle into the type of job they want, while older workers have that aspect of career fulfillment figured out as they stay in the labor force longer.

Another poll conducted in 2015 shows job hopping prevails in nearly two-thirds of all workers, regardless of age. As much as 63 percent of 5,500 respondents claim to have worked for two or more companies within the past five years. Nearly 43 percent of all respondents have worked for two to three companies over that same timespan.

Job seekers can mitigate possible problems going from one company to the next by keeping a resume concise and only writing years for past employment. Workers can also put a positive light to job hopping, such as gaining a wide-range of experiences at diverse companies. Instead of relying on past positions, younger workers can focus on how their goals align with those of a prospective employer.

Past stigmas revolving around job hopping meant companies may have seen workers as disloyal and unwilling to work hard. However, trends point to switching jobs as a norm that firms and job seekers alike have embraced in a competitive labor market.

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