job hopping as a strategy for career advancement

You probably know someone—a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or older cousin—who has worked at the same job or company for decades. These days, though, sticking with one job for too long can feel like you’re not moving forward. The concept of "company loyalty" isn’t as strong as it used to be. Companies aren’t always loyal to their employees, so why should you feel obligated to be loyal to them?

It’s crucial to start strong in any job, but be aware that you could be laid off, replaced, or have your pay cut unexpectedly. It’s not right, and it’s not ideal, but it highlights the importance of not showing unwavering loyalty to an employer that may not return it.

Thankfully, more employees are recognizing this reality. Sometimes, to get where you want to be—or even just to earn a living wage—you need to switch jobs. Let’s break down how making these strategic moves can be more beneficial than sticking to the traditional method of climbing the corporate ladder in one place.

​While job hopping might seem like a bold move, it's important to remember that work occupies a big part of our lives and influences how we spend our free time. Prioritizing your own well-being doesn’t mean you’re harming others—it's just about making sure you're taking care of yourself.

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find the right jobs

​First, you need to find a job that aligns with your wants and needs—and remember, you also need to be a good fit for the employer. Many job platforms aren’t particularly helpful. They require you to use vague search terms and sift through a lot of buzzwords to find essential information like salary. Often, companies are intentionally vague about such details.

Fortunately, not all platforms are like this. Some AI job-hunting platforms are designed to find the perfect match for you without the annoying buzzwords and offer transparency about pay because you deserve to know your worth. The key to job hunting is to aim for a higher salary and be prepared to negotiate without appearing desperate. Speaking of negotiating...

master the art of negotiating

​One of the best perks of job hopping? Each move is a fresh chance to negotiate. When you switch companies, you're not limited by internal pay scales or raise caps. You can leverage your new skills and competing offers to secure a much higher salary than you would get from incremental raises.

However, it’s not just about the money (though it often is). Strategic job hoppers also negotiate for perks like remote work, flexible hours, and professional development opportunities. Each job move allows you to shape your role to better fit your life and career goals.

Looking for resources to improve your negotiation skills?

My favorite book is Never Split the Difference* by Chris Voss.

​I read it prior to my last job search and felt more comfortable when it came to salary and other benefit negotiations.

broaden your network

​Job hopping isn’t just about climbing the pay scale; it’s a great way to build a diverse skill set. Working in different environments exposes you to new challenges, systems, and company cultures, all of which can be valuable. It’s also easier to land a job when your resume reflects this variety of experiences. You'll find in this day and age, people circulate through similar companies, and you will likely encounter the same people again.

This diverse experience makes your resume more impressive and positions you as a top-tier candidate for future roles. Additionally, you’ll build a broad network of professional contacts across various industries, which can be invaluable as you advance in your career.

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