Job-hopping is not exactly bad unless…
I’m 24 years old and have been with my current employer for the past three years now. A college classmate is suggesting that I join him in his company that is on the lookout for people with my qualifications. I’m having second thoughts as I’m happy with my current boss who is an excellent mentor and gives me the chance to achieve my full potential. On the other hand, I’d like to move away from my industry-average pay and perks. Given that situation, what’s your best advice for me? — Greener Pastures.
A lady celebrating her 98th birthday was asked by her teenage granddaughter what she enjoyed the most about her advanced age. She replied: “The lack of peer pressure.” How can you argue with an old woman like her? She’s worth a fortune, with silver in her hair, gold in her teeth, stones in her kidney, and gas in her stomach.
At your young age, I can understand the peer pressure that you’ve been going through. That’s the trend among young people. Millennial workers don’t necessarily want to work for more than 30 years in one company, like their parents who received a gold watch and retirement cash benefits on their last day. Not only that, you’re also angling for a higher compensation package, which you can possibly get from a new employer. But what if your boss turns out to be a toxic one, who doesn’t care about your career aspiration? Then what’s next? Of course, you’ve no other recourse but to job-hop once again. Look for another employer — which is a practical thing to do. When you’re a millennial, your best approach is to do a lot of job-hopping until you reach age 40. After that, you should be able to find a stable job with lucrative pay, excellent work environment — and of course, an excellent boss who can engage and empower you so much so that you don’t need close supervision.
Does this mean you can’t go job- hopping at 40? It’s your call, but note that most employers who could be a bit older than you frown on job-hoppers. Besides, at 40 you tend to lose focus on your career vision as you give more weight to your family interests than anything which is also good thing for any reasonable individual.
As long as there are no bigger issues with your career, pay package, and work relationship with your current boss or colleagues, then you should stay put where you are. Remember this. The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of one’s wrist. However, it’s necessary to help someone find that hand by holding it for a longer time. It’s too basic to be ignored in any relationship.
The trouble is that most young people of your age decide poorly when a job opportunity comes along. Instead, peer pressure becomes a factor, and at times, family weighs in as well. Therefore, how do you manage the situation, in the event you decide to try your luck with another employer? Here are some tips and techniques that you can try for size:
One, do your homework about your prospective employer. Don’t rely solely on the recommendation of your friends and family, even if their intentions are pure. The Internet, particularly social media, is an ocean of information that can give you enough facts and figures that can be used to match the company’s unwritten “culture” with your personal values and career aspirations, among others.
For example, would you want to be associated with an employer that has a long history and various cases of tax evasion, labor disputes, human right issues, among other things? How about the fair treatment of workers in terms of promotion and salary increases which are common in companies with two sets of accounting books and payroll listing, if you know what I mean?
Two, be concerned about the location of your new job. Be practical. These days, with road congestion going from bad to worse, it is equally important to consider the length of time you’ll be spending on the road than with your current employer. Even if the new company offers something to compensate for your commute, would it be enough in the long term?
Therefore, it’s better to stick with your present job, unless the new employer offers a permanent policy on telecommuting, flexitime or any related program that can give you flexibility and work-life balance.
Three, be transparent about your career aspirations. Job interviews are a wonderful opportunity to test if there’s a possible good match between you and your prospective employer. There’s no guarantee, however, that your new employer would not change his mind about his “campaign” promise. If that happens, once again, go on actively exploring another opportunity… until you reach 40.