A couple generations ago, employees were pretty much expected to stay with the same company for the duration of their career. It was largely unheard of for someone to switch jobs every couple of years – let alone change industries. Or, it was looked at negatively. 

But times are changing. Nowadays, job hopping is far less frowned upon. In fact, doing so could be a smart career move that comes with a long list of benefits. If you are feeling restless in your current position, consider the following. 

Benefit #1: Advance Faster in Your Career

Generally speaking, accepting a new position will help you climb the corporate ladder much more quickly than if you were to stay with the same company. Many organizations require that employees keep a certain job title for a period of time before they can be considered for a promotion or pay raise. Essentially, hopping between positions offers a loophole. 

Benefit #2: Infinitely Grow Your Network

This is pretty much a no-brainer. The more companies and teams you work with, the more industry contacts you are exposed to. It cannot be overstated just how important your professional network can be. These connections can often be the source for new job opportunities, and can also offer other invaluable resources– such as exposure to mentors, industry events, and referrals.   

Benefit #3: Expand Your Skills and Expertise

Many people who have been in the same position for a while start to feel as though they are in a rut. When you do the same tasks day in and day out, you stop feeling challenged and can start feeling restless. This can quickly lead to burnout. New positions offer new opportunities to learn new skills, which can be great for your resume – and your job satisfaction. Exposing yourself to new challenges also helps you discern talents and interests that you might not otherwise have been aware of. 

Just Make Sure You Are Hopping for the Right Reasons

As you can see, there are a lot of compelling reasons to look toward outside opportunities when planning the next step in your career. But that does not mean that every potential move is worth taking.  

Be discerning and calculated when it comes to your professional moves. Make sure that the new position offers unique opportunities that can help you grow your resume and skillset in a way that you are interested in. Otherwise you will end up facing a series of dead ends that could limit your future options as opposed to opening new doors.  

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