Ideally, you should aim to work in each position for at least two years. Finding the ideal applicant costs businesses time and money, especially when you take into account the investment they make in your onboarding and training.
The other major problem is that if you have more short-term jobs than long-term ones, recruiters and hiring managers might question your employability.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the typical tenure of salaried workers with their current employers has declined significantly from 4.2 years in January 2018 to 4.1 years in January 2020.
However, if you spend every workday feeling underpaid, unloved, or unhappy, four years may seem like an eternity. As a result, you shouldn't feel as though you have to stay for that long.
So what happens if you now have a bad employer, a lot of stress at work, or just change your mind about the kind of work you want to do? When you feel you made the wrong choice after accepting a job, there's no harm in plotting your exit.
So what happens if you now have a bad employer, a lot of stress at work, or just change your mind about the kind of work you want to do? When you feel you made the wrong choice after accepting a job, there's no harm in plotting your exit.
Reflect on your long-term career goals, journal, and think about what you truly want. Ask yourself some tough questions, like the ones below. Your answers will help clarify what you should do next. Here are 10 questions to ask yourself about finding a new job:
1. Does your job history reflect you as a job hopper? 2. Is there any way you can improve your current job? 3. Are there many job opportunities in your industry right now?
4. Do I need to update my skill sets before I start applying? 5. Will switching jobs help my career development or make it harder for me? 6. Am I leaving for the right reasons?
If you end up with a couple of short-term gigs in your work history, it doesn't necessarily mean your job hunt is doomed. Just be prepared to adjust your resume and then talk your way through it.