Job-hopping losing negative stigma

Job-hopping has become more acceptable, according to new research, with an overwhelming majority or 97 per cent of Australian employers acknowledging positives to frequently jumping ship.

Research by recruiter Robert Half has found that the practice of job-hopping, defined as having an average of five job changes within a 10-year period, has its benefits, with Millennials increasingly more likely to switch employers than their older counterparts.

Around 71 per cent of Australian hiring managers said they were willing to hire candidates with histories of frequent employment changes.

More than three-quarters of hiring managers (76 per cent) also think Millennial-aged workers are job-hoppers, compared to 57 per cent regarding Generation X workers as job-hoppers, and just one in three considering Baby Boomers as frequent job-changers.

Around 43 per cent of hiring managers noted the chance to learn more skills, 39 per cent recognising the expansion of a candidate’s professional network, 38 per cent agreeing to more experience across different industries and 36 per cent saying higher salary progression and faster career advancement.

“As the largest demographic in the workplace, it’s not surprising the concept of ‘job-hopping’ is quickly losing its stigma as Millennial-aged workers are more likely to change jobs frequently than their Generation X and Baby Boomer counterparts,” Andrew Brushfield, director of Robert Half Australia, said.

“Considering the growing skills shortage where talent is hard to find, Australian employers understand the potential benefits job-hoppers can bring from firsthand experience.”

However, switching employment on a regular basis can have negative consequences, the report noted.

The survey showed that 42 per cent of hiring managers noted lack of job security, while 38 per cent said job-hoppers missed out on being part of a team and 35 per cent chose missing out on promotions.

Mr Brushfield said job-hopping has become more prevalent in Australia’s employment landscape, but hiring managers should still exercise caution when considering job-hoppers for a role.

“While there can be many benefits of employing a candidate who has changed jobs frequently, regular job changes over a short period could raise a few red flags, such as disloyalty or a lack of direction,” he noted.

“Recruitment processes can be costly, so employers should consider a candidate’s true motivations for switching roles, before proceeding with what could be a risky hiring decision.”

Meanwhile in New Zealand, hiring managers considered someone who has made an average of six job changes within a 10-year period to be a job-hopper.

Slightly more businesses (74 per cent) also were reported to be willing to hire a candidate with a history of job-hopping.