Today, the increasing number of job opportunities has opened up plethora of avenues for talented professionals. This has made it easier for people to quit one job and join another without much hassle. Many employees, especially the young ones, think that changing jobs frequently is the faster route to career progression. Even though irresistible, the feeling is misplaced.

Human resource experts acknowledge that their preferences are still with a ‘loyal’ employee rather than a person who is a job hopper. Many organisations consider job hoppers as people who are unreliable and short on ability to perform continuously. As such, their contribution to the organisation’s growth is expected to be minimal. Companies would rather hire someone who will stick around for a sufficiently long time to make good enough contribution to the organisation.

In fact, for fresh and junior professionals, the big industry names generally offer less money. Nevertheless, they offer them the opportunity to be innovative, think out of the box and learn while they work. Professional satisfaction, learning opportunities and innovation are few of the good things offered in such organisations at the cost of better salary. Likewise, some other organisations may afford the scope for creativity, intellectual stimulation or freedom to take decisions within the organisational framework. Sense of achievement and fulfillment at the end of the day and approaching work every day with a new vigour are some of the trade offs which cannot be evaluated in monetary terms.

Experts observe that job hopping is quite prevalent at the junior and mid-level professionals as the desire for better designation and better compensation is higher at these levels. What these professionals tend to overlook is that even though one might get the desired designation or compensation by changing jobs, he/she is quite likely to lack the experience or knowledge that comes with years of working at the same place. As such, frequent job hopping may affect their capabilities to handle the responsibilities that come with a higher position. Furthermore, it may be detrimental to their long term career interests besides landing them often in embarrassing situations. You may bear in mind that it should not turn out to be a case of falling from fry pan to fire.

This is not to denounce the positive consequences if the movement is for the right reasons. Positives of job hopping include opportunity to learn new things, more monetary benefits, better work environment, and exposure to new organisational culture and practices. But it has to be recognised that it has its own share of drawbacks. The employee has to start proving his/her capabilities all over again; new relationships have to be built; new environment, new work culture and a new boss, all of it has its own pressures. If money was the sole reason for the job change, there could be a big disappointment waiting in terms of job contentment, role and responsibility, or the organisational culture. Grass may not always be greener on the other side.

While planning a change think of various roadblocks which may come in the way of your long term career goals as a result of your hasty decisions.

To avoid such a situation, the person must be able to decide for himself/herself a justifiable reason for change. It should be a prudent and planned decision for career progression as well as job satisfaction. One should be sure of the reason of the switch. Higher salary should never be the prime reason for change. In the final analysis, it’s not just money that gives job satisfaction but work culture, company policies, and many other such factors which contribute towards making a job "good".

Before taking the plunge, one must consider another very important factor and that is of ‘initial struggles’. There could be an extended phase of joblessness. There could be job offers that require one to take up a lower designation and work the way up the ladder again. A dip in the remuneration package or the arduous travelling distance itself could be a source of major concern. Without proper analysis and consideration of various factors associated with it, the job change can turn out to be frustrating besides leading to higher stress levels.

Planning for the shift must involve an honest self assessment of one’s preferences and personal goals. Sometimes, the company with better brand name may not offer an attractive pay package and the company which may pay well may not be good enough at the substantive level. Alternatively, it could be just a start up company with no mentor, no coach but just you on your own. The question then is, what should one do when faced with such a dilemma? Reckless enthusiasm should not land the concerned person in situations that put the professional standing on the block.

One should make sure of not falling in a trap where a company offers more in financial terms but not an encouraging work environment and culture. Such reality it dawns upon the employee after joining the work and by then it is usually too late to sort out the issues. Sitting much beyond the normal laid down office hours almost on a daily basis may be a normal routine in the new place. As a result, one may end up spending one and a half times the working hours in the new office as compared to the previous work place. This results in personal life being thrown out of gear for a few thousand rupees more and there is no ‘undo’ button in one’s hand. Yes, everything comes with its own set of benefits and pitfalls. So, a rational analysis of the pros and cons before taking a decision is a must.

Changing job is not always bad. From an employee’s perspective, sometimes job changing is necessary for advancement of career. It can also be for one or more of the following reasons:-

Prudence dictates that ‘opt for a better company if the choice is between the package and the company’ because it may add value to the Curriculum Vitae in the future irrespective of the package.

Finally, no matter what constitutes the reason(s) for change, always part from the previous employer on a happy note. It will save everyone quite a bit of unnecessary hassle if one completes all the separation formalities well in time and as per the company rules. If the responsibilities are to be handed to the next incumbent, it is good to leave detailed written notes for him/her to refer at a later date. Let not any personal differences or prejudices come in the way while parting ways. Let the feeling of mutual admiration prevail.