Is switching jobs really that bad?

If you ask anyone who has been working for more than 20 years, they will suggest you work at least 3-4 years in an organization before switching. That’s how it used to be. But now? My brother switched before he completed one year. One of my friends has been working with the same organization for two years.

And the exciting thing about this is the manager’s reactions. My brother’s manager was happy for him because he got the role he was looking for. This shows the healthy relationship between the team and the leader.

My friend talked about switching to her manager and he supported her decision and asked her the reasons for switching - she got new challenging projects and she decided to stay.

That’s what I have been seeing. Nowadays, employers are more open about switching and short-term working experience in job applications.

Switching jobs for the right reasons can never be bad. Let’s see what the right reasons for switching jobs could be.

Right reasons for switching jobs

Coming out of your comfort zone -

• Once you get comfortable in a job, that’s the queue to get some challenging tasks or move on. A few jobs require the same kind of work and if that’s what your job is, then yes, move on.
• Growth is out of your comfort zone - be it skill-related or career-related.
• Don’t be a victim of it. Make the change.

Figuring out what you are passionate about -

• Finding what specific role you want to work in the same domain is a challenge.
• Switching jobs help in understanding the different roles.
• You explore, learn and unlearn, move to different roles, and find what’s that one thing that excites you - your passion.

Switching from corporate to a startup -

• The experience of both working cultures is different.
• Learn why you should work in a startup at least once.
• Corporate is usually slow-paced in comparison to a startup - fast mistakes, fast learnings.
• Jobs search has gotten easy for you all - the professional networking Peerlist has covered it for you.

Work-life balance -

• Late working hours often become the reason for switching.
• Bad work culture is not negotiable.
• It doesn’t only affect the employees’ personal lives but also their work efficiency.

Salary delays -

• This represents the wrong impression of the company’s ethics.
• No employee can work with the constant salary delays without no prior mention.
• Most employers try to take a gap of two days between the paid and payment day to keep up with their reputation.
• And if someone fails to provide it, then it leads to switching.

Getting better increment -

• The company is failing to provide the right growth opportunity to their employees - both money and skill focus.
• Promotion that comes with incentives and salary hikes is always appreciated.
• Lack of it means switching is obvious.
• Conversation involving the switch of jobs because of money can open dialogue in your organization - resulting in a hike.

Loyalty towards work, not the company -

• If you don’t get ownership of your work, then yes, switching is the right option.
• Corporate companies usually do not appreciate loyalty, in any case, you get almost nothing in return.
• But if you have ownership of your work, then you can think of staying, since, your work is recognized by your name.

An employer doesn’t appreciate you -

• Most time goes into impressing your manager with the work but even after putting in all the effort it feels like all goes in vain - maybe the problem is with the manager and moving is the right option.
• Your credits are always due.
• It feels good to be wanted and if that is missing, then yes, switching is the right option.

Better brand name -

• A lot of people won’t agree with this but I do think having a brand name in the job application accelerates the overall growth.
• You get connected with people that you might never meet if you stay.
• You learn a different leadership style.

Everyone looks for your assistance -

• It means that you are involved in the tasks that don’t require you.
• Your colleagues are taking advantage.
• You have basically turned into your manager’s right arm but with absolutely no effect on the outcome - time to move on.

Your skills do not match your interests -

• You have learned that your skill doesn’t match your interest.
• Taking the step in the direction where your interest lies is the right option for overall growth.
• Switching job is no longer a taboo - people in the IT sector does switch jobs and it’s a new normal.

A few points to keep in mind while switching

How is the current market?

• The last hired is the first fired.
• Make sure to add value every day.

Under promise and over deliver

• The probation period is all about proving why you are the right choice.
• After the probation period, it’s all about maintaining quality.
• Always over-deliver.

Be open to learning

• Understand and find the real culture and how things work.
• Network with colleagues.
• Make 1:1 discussions with your manager - try to understand their leadership style.

Advance your skills

• Don’t stop learning. Keep the growth mindset.
• That’s the way you keep yourself relevant with the work you do.

There are a few reasons why employers don’t like the switching era -

• The hiring cost of the company is affected by the high replacement of employees which affects the productive system.
• While hiring most recruiters try to hunt for the best talent and the cost to the company gets higher too for the same reason - not the money lost but the time lost can make a company bitter.
• It usually happens when an employee comes forward with the request of switching after 4-5 months. You are allowed, yes. But it’s not cost and time-effective for an organization.