Job hopping. How bad is it?

[ZenWave]

My career started around 6 years ago. Public sector. Path so far:

1. Spent 2 years in my first junior post.
2. Moved on promotion, left after under a year (no work to do, toxic environment).
3. Job after that, same level, around 2 years before transferring at the same level to broaden my experience.
4. Been here just over a year and I like the job, but there are elements of it that I’m less well suited to. Feel committed to my employer and getting good experience.

Each job has brought me a step closer to what I want to be doing, and some parts of this job are pretty close to that. However I have now stumbled upon a job in a different but related organisation, which is my dream role and exactly what I want to be doing. I have the experience it’s looking for and it would be a higher salary. However, it feels way too soon, nothing here is broken, and I’m not job-hunting.

Based on the above, would you go for it? I’m aware it’s job hopping, which doesn’t sit well with me, however jobs like this almost never come up here, hence considering it. However I’m also considering the impact on my current employer, how it would appear to the prospective employer, and the impact on my CV. There is every chance I wouldn’t get it anyway, but if I apply it is possible that my current employer will find out, so I don’t want to do this unless I’m certain I would accept if offered.

Of course go for it. Public sector recruitment processes are usually quite strict to ensure the best candidate gets the job so personal recruiter preferences/ideas about how long someone should stay per role shouldn't really come into it. TBH your career history doesn't meet my personal definition of 'job hopping' or even come close, but even if it did would you rather you don't get your dream job because they don't like job hoppers or don't get your dream job because you ruled yourself out without even trying?

@maxelly thank you, that’s reassuring and a good way of putting it. I guess I’m also nervous as we’ve got a tight culture and people tend to stick around for several years, so I feel like a snake in the grass for considering it. But I guess it is just a job, not a friendship group, at the end of the day.

Another question if anyone sees this and has an opinion. Assuming I apply, would you talk to your current boss about it, either before applying, or between application and interview if you got one? There is a culture of this sort of openness in the area I work but I’ve never been comfortable with it. For example my boss in my last (2 year) role was upset with me for not discussing it with him first. I just think, if I don’t get it then it makes things awkward, especially if I wouldn’t be searching for other jobs if it didn’t come off. But keeping my cards to my chest just adds to that snake in the grass feeling!

I’m also public sector and I don’t think that’s job hopping either (but also I don’t necessarily think job hopping is a bad thing! It can show ambition). I would discuss it with your current manager though. Are there contact details for the hiring manager? I’d ring them for a chat.

As the recruiting manager your CV wouldn't concern me I would just be looking to see if you met the essential criteria. Anything over a year in a job doesn't look odd, moving every few months does. If I was your current manager I would want to support you in applying for a dream role. I would discuss with them but say you weren't looking for a move its just something you want to explore and ask they keep it confidential.

No brainer. This is your dream job. How often does it come up? If you don't go for it, regret may eat you up. Current employer will know you're on a path and not there forever. Put yourself first. Good luck!

I don't think that's bad. My current job, I had 2 jobs in the last three years and she did ask me but I was honest and said that before Covid I had stayed too long in a job that didn't have potential and as part of the way I was changing my life I had promised not to do this anymore to ensure my progress.

As a manager I like to know if people are applying for other roles for a range of reasons:

1. Are they applying because of something I’m doing? Can it be changed?
2. Is it something we could arrange for them to do in house…if so, I can see if that’s possible/desirable
3. Is it just time for a change. In which case I’ve historically put out feelers/reviewed CVs/done interview practice.

I like my team and I want the best for them. I hope they trust me to be professional if they move on. I would be marginally sad if they didn’t tell me they were applying because it would reflect a lack of trust.

Agree. Discuss with your manager. Your reasons for moving are really healthy. A really good manager would see that you have very clear development goals and are ambitious and they would try and support you in this, whether in your current role or in securing a new one. Good luck

I changed jobs a lot in my early career. Now I’m in a senior position I find it’s given me a range of experience of organisations, people and roles that is hugely valuable