WHEN JOB HOPPING IS HARMFUL

Here are some scenarios in which Nxomani-Pakade says switching jobs could be damaging to your reputation and future employment prospects.

When you leave before you’ve learnt what you came to learn:

It builds your character to push through challenges and focus on achieving your goals.

When you’re not paying attention to personal red flags: It’s difficult to say and even harder to accept, but sometimes you’re the problem. Hopping from one job to the other, may lead you to ignore serious areas of personal and professional development.

When you leave out of anger: If emotions are running high, ask yourself a few questions before making any decisions. These can include: What do I want from my current role? What do I want to leave having achieved or learned? Having an answer to these questions will help regulate your decision-making when the going gets tough. If you have not achieved and learned everything you set out to, give yourself time to calm down before making any big decisions. Your next employer will have expectations of your skill and experience levels, and you need to make sure you have gained enough knowledge before deciding to leave.

When you leave before you actually leave: Even if you know that you’re leaning towards leaving your current position, it’s important to maintain momentum and credibility. ‘Checking out’ psychologically can affect your performance and how you’re perceived as a professional. Continue to be faithful and trustworthy in your work.

When you leave without a responsible handover: Give your employer notice and ensure that the tasks you’re responsible for are taken care of. Never leave the company and your clients in the lurch.