Rate of Job Change
Rate of Job Change
(OP)
Hello everyone,
I'm curious what your thoughts are on job changes. I like the idea of changing companies and locations, but don't want to be seen as a job hopper. What rate (1 job per 2 years, 3 years, etc) would you first begin to question hiring me? Now I don't mean a change in industry... I would be performing similar tasks and job functions, just with different companies.
I ask because my longtime girlfriend is soon going to graduate school. I myself have been out of school and working with the same company for 2 years. So potentially, I will be moving jobs after 2 years of my first job and (depending on whether we decide to move after she graduates), 3-4 years of my second job.
Any advice you could give would be very helpful. Thanks!
I'm curious what your thoughts are on job changes. I like the idea of changing companies and locations, but don't want to be seen as a job hopper. What rate (1 job per 2 years, 3 years, etc) would you first begin to question hiring me? Now I don't mean a change in industry... I would be performing similar tasks and job functions, just with different companies.
I ask because my longtime girlfriend is soon going to graduate school. I myself have been out of school and working with the same company for 2 years. So potentially, I will be moving jobs after 2 years of my first job and (depending on whether we decide to move after she graduates), 3-4 years of my second job.
Any advice you could give would be very helpful. Thanks!





RE: Rate of Job Change
RE: Rate of Job Change
RE: Rate of Job Change
RE: Rate of Job Change
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Rate of Job Change
Anyway, back to the original issue, all I can say is good luck and lets hope the people you encounter during your interviews are more of your situation than mine.
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
http://www.siemens.com/plm
http://www.plmworld.org/museum/
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
RE: Rate of Job Change
Chris
SolidWorks 10 SP4.0
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion
RE: Rate of Job Change
i read in an article once that most people in USA (based on education cycle) want change once/4-years (i.e. grade school, middle school, high school, college, etc. - change once/4-years). i know of no standard or expectation for one to make a change in employment as that solely an individual decision - your choice!
i suggest reading the book the "Peter Principle". i suppose that if you continue to improve/challenge yourself professionally/personally, then perhaps you need a change once/x-years as long as you do not reach your level of incompetence.
do listen/observe your fellow co-workers and other professionals you interact with and make a sound decision that is acceptable to you.
i do know of an individual (high-energy fellow mech engineer) that changed jobs frequently (<4-yrs/job. however, this individual is very smart and possesses a lot of usable/knowledgeable skills that is easily transferable between employers. as long as he does not "burn bridges", then the change is acceptable - at least to him and his employers!
so, good luck!
-pmover
RE: Rate of Job Change
My main issue would be that anyone that flighty might be flighty on my job, which would put me in the position of having to go through the hiring process all over again in two years. Resumes that show only about a year per job, I don't even bother to read beyond the employment dates.
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RE: Rate of Job Change
2.5-NY, 4.5-MD, 4.5-AZ, 4.5-AZ, 12-PA, 3-TX, 1.5-TX, .5-TN and counting :)
(the 1.5 was a contract position)
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Ben Loosli
RE: Rate of Job Change
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RE: Rate of Job Change
RE: Rate of Job Change
I had an interview at a municipal water utility where they were obviously concerned I was flighty followed by one and a younger technology company where they thought I looked very stable.
-John
RE: Rate of Job Change
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Rate of Job Change
I recall such a resume, but we were desperate for warm bodies, but it turned out that was pretty much all there was to him; he showed up around 10 and left around 3, and typically had, during his short tenure, about a 3 hr lunch. Since there were only 3 people in the entire plant with similar job descriptions, he was easily found out and didn't get to quit on his own.
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RE: Rate of Job Change
RE: Rate of Job Change
That is my point.
I have moved a few times in a short period and the hiring manager asked me why. If he/she doesn't like the answer to why someone moved on, no hire. If you worked for a company for a year, then to another for another year, because you simply didn't like the company, it will likely show.
Chris
SolidWorks 10 SP4.0
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion
RE: Rate of Job Change
RE: Rate of Job Change
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Rate of Job Change
Will my resume be tossed aside, or will I be asked why I keep moving?
RE: Rate of Job Change
RE: Rate of Job Change
RE: Rate of Job Change
It's certainly not as bad as 1/2 dozen 18 month jobs in a row or similar.
Also, if it's an obvious relocation then it may be less negatively viewed.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Rate of Job Change
Three jobs in a 5 year period later in one's career, while often explainable and justified, is a bit more of a concern. This is just one person's opinion and potential employers may feel differently. That said, if I were you I wouldn't sweat it.
RE: Rate of Job Change
I have held short term contracts for as short as 2 weeks, and as long as 4 years. It depends on the project, your role, the industry, the market.
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
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RE: Rate of Job Change
After 5-6 months being unemployed I accepted a job that I normally would not have taken had I been employed already. Since then I've moved on to another job, but again the job is not perfect, although it is better.
I needed a job so I took the first one, what choice did I have? I like to consider myself a good engineer, and I think anyone who passes over people simply b/c they were at a job or two for a short time, is potentially overlooking a great hire.
I'd look more at whether they were consecutive jobs or if they were being fired from their positions. I.e. did they leave one and have a gap before the next one, etc.
RE: Rate of Job Change
The absence of any job lasting more than a few years in a 20 year career IS an issue to prospective employers, for good reason.
If you want a career as a contractor, apply for contract positions and nobody will fault you for it.
RE: Rate of Job Change
10 years, 8 months, 1 year, 5 years, 1 year, and I'm currently looking for something else. (There were a couple gaps in there also, since work is hard to find when you won't relocate, which were easily explained)
Every interview I've had a chance to explain the situations.
Bankruptsies, Downsizing, re-organizing, etc. have all contributed to my work history. I'm not willing to relocate my family, so have taken a couple jobs just to be working while looking for something better.
I encourage potential employers to call my previous supervisors for reassurance that nothing was because of my work performance.
David
RE: Rate of Job Change
You have employers call your previous supervisors? What if you are still employed while you are searching for a job? Would you still have them call employers?
I've never searched for another job, so I could be wrong... but it seems that may cause some ill feelings while you are still employed
RE: Rate of Job Change
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Rate of Job Change
RE: Rate of Job Change
I list my current company on my resume as confidential so that doesn't happen. I am also very careful about my online profile so they can't discover where I am working.
I don't look down on anybody's resume if they have minimum of 2 year stints at places. The guys I worry about are the one's that have new jobs every 6 months to a year. You know something is wrong there.
I have been averaging 5 years at my companies. Pushing 6 now at my current. It is about that time where the learning curve has leveled out and my growth has been stunted. My experience has shown about 4-5 years is when you stop learning.
This may not be a big deal for some, but it is a big deal for me.
Zuccus
RE: Rate of Job Change
I have had ten jobs in 14 years and never had a problem getting as new one!
RE: Rate of Job Change
If you are in a project orientated discipline ( civil construction) then changing jobs at the end of a project will not be seen as a necessarily bad thing, especially if you can show that you have returned to the same company for a subsequent project.
If you are in a process industry, i.e. manufacturing engineering then job change should be showing some progressive advancement and more professional and or managerial responsibility.
As a rule of thumb a series of changes early is not necessarily a bad thing but should be balanced by longer stints with a company later in the career.
Rick Kitson MBA P.Eng
Construction Project Management
From conception to completion
www.kitsonengineering.com
RE: Rate of Job Change
Back in college we were told to expect to be in 10-12 companies throughout our career, that's ~40 years indication of the 3-4 year year change. My jobs have been
1 year, half year, 3/4 year, 1.5 years, 7 years, 5 years. At the start I was emigrating to the US and trying to find something that I liked. Now I am in sales and looking to at least 5 years before sniffing the weather again.
high speed image capture, that's me..
RE: Rate of Job Change
rubber molding
www.meererubbermolding.com
RE: Rate of Job Change
Earlier, I misinterpreted davidinindy to say that he had prospective employers call current employers. In my case, this is my first job, so I have no previous employers. There are a few people at the office however who I would trust to provide me a reference without gossiping. How do I indicate to potential employers NOT to call the office, but to call only cell phones of associates?
Or, should I not even bother suggesting a reference unless asked?
RE: Rate of Job Change
Maybe only provide cell #?
(Doesn't entirely stop them looking up the company website etc. but hints it.)
I've been led to believe it's best to wait to be asked for references but could be wrong.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?