Serial job jumper or long-time employee? The pros and cons of each

Guides, Jobseeker, Jobseekers / 26 January 2022

What is your employment style? Do you regularly change job, hopping to a new company after short stints of employment? Or have you been in the same job for years (maybe even decades)? Both approaches can help your career progression, and equally both have their disadvantages too.

Serial job jumper

A serial job jumper will change their job and employers every one to two years. They might jump into self-employment, contracting, or temporary work, and then back into permanent employment in that timeframe too.

The second factor that denotes a serial job jumper is the intention to change jobs. A serial job jumper decides to make that change; they are not forced into seeking new employment by external influences such as company closure or redundancy.

Pros

Serial job jumpers become adept at applying for jobs and attending interviews, because they have more practice.
They are more likely to recognise when a job does not serve them, especially if their work environment is toxic, and in turn are more willing to seek employment elsewhere.
Moving to a new job is one of the easiest ways to increase salary.
Serial job jumpers develop good communication skills and find it easier to adapt, because they are faced with finding their fit in a range of company cultures.
Working in numerous roles offers the opportunity to build a diverse skillset, gather a wider range of work experience, and accumulate knowledge across more than one industry.
A serial job jumper can grow a wider professional network because they meet a greater number of people at work.
Finally, moving jobs on such a regular-basis guards against boredom and stagnation.

Cons

Serial job jumping, or hopping, is more readily accepted these days but depending on company culture, some employers may doubt loyalty and be reluctant to invest in an employee who is likely to leave within a year or two.
Serial job jumpers miss out on the opportunity to accumulate long-term employee benefits, such as pension, redundancy pay, or extra paid holidays.
They may lack in-depth knowledge in any one job or industry.
Working relationships must be formed afresh with each new job.

Long-time employee

In comparison to a serial job jumper, a long-time employee stays in one job or changes job but remains with the same employer for several consecutive years. A long-time employee may spend their entire working life with one company, but increasingly this is less likely.

Pros

Working for one company for several years increases the chance that a long-time employee will progress to more senior positions and move into leadership roles.
Remaining in one job or with one company generally provides more stability than regularly changing jobs. The long-time employee know what to expect and can therefore plan ahead.
A longer period of service with an employer allows the accumulation of employee benefits, for instance, contributions into a workplace pension, moving up a salary scale, an increase in redundancy pay and conditions, and additional paid holidays with each year worked.
Several years in one job allows for the development of an in-depth knowledge in that specific role.
It is easier to build good work relationships over a number of years.
Employers are likely to see a long-time employee as someone who is loyal to the company and they will therefore be happier to invest in them, for instance, training and professional development.
The longer an employee spends in one role, the easier it will generally become to do. Comparatively, the longer an employee works for one company, the more familiar they will become with its culture and how to operate well within that culture.

Cons

Over the years, a long-time employee may become complacent in their role and be less productive. Equally, they may become bored and even resentful.
Remaining in the same job or with the same employer, a long-time employee is restricted to a smaller network of professional contacts than the serial job jumper.
Their skillset and knowledge will be limited to one job or the areas covered by one employer.

Final Thoughts

The decision on whether to regularly change jobs or stay with the same employer for several years will depend on your career plan and your personal needs and motivations. Both employment styles have their upsides and downfalls, and therefore your choice must be made with a realistic and well-informed mindset.

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Serial job jumper or long-time employee? The pros and cons of each

Serial job jumper

Long-time employee

Final Thoughts

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