As a fresh graduate, you’re probably wondering, “How long do I have to stay in a job before considering a switch? A year? Two?”

You may have the belief that you’ll be rewarded for your loyalty to an organisation. The sad truth is that most one-organisation employees looking to climb the corporate ladder are at a disadvantage – in general, they have slower career progression and lower pay increments.

The volatility of today’s global economy and the changes in workplace dynamics have also greatly diminished the negative stigma which previously dogged job-hoppers. On the contrary, job-hopping may now be perceived as the doorway to greater career opportunities.

While improved pay and prospects are key motivators, the most significant incentive to job-hop may be attributed to a shift in employers’ perceptions. Job-hoppers today are less frowned upon as being disloyal or unstable. Some organisations even desire job-hoppers for their potential to bring fresh ideas to the table.

With that said, here are some things to keep in mind when you’re about to job-hop.

Salary and Career Opportunities

This may sound blunt, but job-hopping usually nets you a greater increase in salary as compared to requesting (and waiting) for a raise, especially if it’s your first permanent position. A new position in a new company could also unlock career tracks which were previously unavailable to you, allowing you to reach new heights in your career.

In addition, job-hopping may also be useful for you if you haven’t found your true calling. Working in different environments will expose you to many challenges and resources, increasing your odds of discovering a job which suits you best. You’ll get to meet many people along the way and establish relations with them. Who knows – these contacts could prove to be invaluable in the future.

Develop New Skills

Job-hopping is also a good opportunity to hone your existing skills and develop new ones. Technical skills aside, you can also cultivate strategic qualities such as interpersonal and communicational skills, which are usually transferable between jobs and work assignments in different industries. These can aid you in marketing yourself as a multi-talented employee who is a worthy addition to any company.

Do note that job-hopping should be done carefully though, lest you be blacklisted as a fickle-minded wanderer who jumps ship at the slightest provocation. This may lead to…

Restricted Career Development

Although today’s employers are more liberal in their view of job-hopping, many are nevertheless still inclined to invest in a loyal employee. A long-time employee has a better rate of return in terms of valuable skills developed over time – an attribute essential for key posts within an organisation. Your employer may also become hesitant to entrust important tasks and projects to you if you show an inclination to jump ship, which would be detrimental to your overall career development.

Poor Job Security

Your reputation as a job-hopper may inevitably come back to haunt you, earning you the dubious honour of being at the top of the list to be laid off should the company decide to cut costs. If your reputation as a job-hopper has spread far and wide, you can also expect difficulty in finding employment.

All in all, there are no hard and fast rules for job-hopping. Its viability as a career strategy really depends on your personal circumstances and how well you can continue to reap maximum benefit from being a job-hopper.