How having 5 jobs in 10 years can harm your career

Changing job is a vital part of climbing the promotion ladder but taking on a new position too often could see you being labelled a “job hopper” – a tag which could harm your career.

Almost 90pc of bosses said they were likely to drop an applicant from consideration for a position if they thought the person had moved around too much during their working life, according to a new study.

Employers said that a professional who has had five or more jobs over a 10-year period – an average of two years in each role – has chopped and changed enough to earn the label, according to a study of finance bosses by recruiter Robert Half UK.

The company interviewed 200 chief financial officers from companies across the UK about how many positions they considered acceptable before they began to suspect a potential recruit might lack staying power.

Some 36pc of the executives interviewed said they were “very likely” to look badly on an applicant they considered a job hopper, and 53pc were “somewhat likely”, with the remainder not concerned by the amount of jobs a person had had.

“The job market has rebounded in recent years, and employers understand that job candidates may have had short stints in some positions,” said Phil Sheridan, senior managing director at Robert Half UK.

“However, businesses look for people who will be committed to the organisation, can contribute to the company, and help it reach its short and long-term goals.

“Too much voluntary job hopping can be a red flag.”

Previous research by the company identified the ideal stay in a job as six years, but this was from a worker’s point of view, not a potential employer.

Mr Sheridan added: “While there is no optimal time to stay in a job, the secret is to show progression. You need to demonstrate on your CV that you have mastered the role, providing value to your employer and earning recognition for your efforts. This can come in the form of promotion and/or additional work responsibility and often takes four or more years to attain, on average.”

Jonathan Mills, managing director at Personal Career Management, agreed that five jobs in 10 years is the limit before potential employers begin to ask questions, though added that the sector you work in and what stage of your career you are at has a big effect on the number.

“A new job every two years is a number I would not massively disagree with,” he said. “But in depends where you are working. If you work in marketing that’s acceptable – a lot of people in marketing would say that if you don’t move after that long you’re a bit staid.

“Also people early in their careers would be expected to move around more often.”

He added since the financial crisis companies have become more careful about making sure they take on the right person.

“Since 2007 companies have become amazingly risk-averse,” Mr Mills said. “they are looking out for red flags.”

Here’s his top tips to avoiding being seen as lacking commitment if you have moved jobs frequently:

* Show consistency - make sure if you can explain the moves

* Have an explanation - if you have move around often make sure you can explain the moves

* Show progression - if you are getting constantly promoted it’s nothing something to be too concerned about

* Have a theme - jumping between very different roles or sectors raises eyebrows among potential employers