Job hopping becoming more acceptable, research finds

UK professionals believe job hopping is becoming more acceptable as flexible and freelance working increase in popularity, according to research from CV-Library.

The research surveyed 1,200 professionals and found almost half believe that it is acceptable to change jobs after a year, with this figure rising to 65 per cent for workers aged 16 to 24 and 87 per cent for those aged under 18.

Experience  

The survey explored the views of professionals when it comes to changing jobs and revealed the main reasons for job hopping, with 35 per cent believing workers should do this if a better opportunity comes along.

Other reasons included a change in circumstances (26 per cent), the job not being right (17.9 per cent), a rise in popularity in freelance working (7.9 per cent), and getting a wider range of experience (7.5 per cent).

The survey also found that most professionals expect to have more than ten jobs in their lifetime, with one in five respondents believing it is unrealistic for companies to expect their employees to stay with them for more than a couple of years.

The majority of respondents left their previous job because they were offered a better opportunity, while 16.3 per cent said their current role doesn’t offer opportunities for career progression and 8.1 per cent want to work in an entirely different job.

Opportunities

Commenting on the research, CV-Library Founder Lee Biggins said it is obvious from the survey that workers are always looking for the best opportunities and wish to further their career, even if this means having to change jobs frequently.

He added employers have to be certain they are offering the chance for career progression, training and fair packages, otherwise they may risk talented employees leaving.