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Rate of Job Change

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!

RE: Rate of Job Change

(OP)
I'd like to make a slight change on my numbers.  It will be about 2.5 years with the first company, and 2.5 - 3.5 years of the second.   

RE: Rate of Job Change

My history has, oddly enough, been an average of about 5 years...even when I've had my own businesses....I want to sell them or get out at about 5-yr intervals.  Even with a company that I worked for 18 yrs, I needed a significant change about every 5 years.....anectdotal... don't put too much stock in it!!

RE: Rate of Job Change

It may vary by industry, but I start to wonder when I see a long string of jobs at about 2 years each.  Generally, I don't count it against anyone if they make an isolated geographical relocation.  But if you move around the country every few years, I'll wonder what you're running from.


 

RE: Rate of Job Change

I'm afraid that I couldn't give you a fair review in a situation like that since in my case I've only held two professional positions, 14+ years with one company and currently just over 30 years with my present company.  I'll be the first to admit that this is probably very unusual in this day and age, but when I was starting my career those 40 some years ago, that was the hope of many people, finding a place where you COULD spend a lifetime in a good solid job that you liked to do, and I have to admit that in both my jobs I was very satisfied both professionaly and personally, and the only reason I even made the change that I did 30 years ago, which required me to sell my house and move my family from Michigan to SoCal was because I got caught in a paradigm shift, in my case it was the introduction of CAD into our engineering office and that after 3 years I had the opportunity to move into what was the ground floor of a new technology and it has been a great ride so far winky smile

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

for what it is worth . . .

 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

I would put the threshold at 2 yrs, at which time I would look much more carefully at the job history and whatever information there is to be had.  I would typically like to see at least one job that's much longer, saym 5 years to balance the mix out.

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.

TTFN

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Chinese prisoner wins Nobel Peace Prize

RE: Rate of Job Change

When I was laid-off as the result of the company losing a contract bid, they put us through outplacement trainig for 3 days to brush up on our resume writting and interview skills. The person conducting the class said the average person will change jobs every 5 years.

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)

 

"Wildfires are dangerous, hard to control, and economically catastrophic."

Ben Loosli

RE: Rate of Job Change

do it now while you have the opportunity. Once you get married, buy a house, have kids it gets much harder. By the time kids are in middle school you should be prepared to stay somewhere until they all graduate HS unless you really enjoy listening to the whining and crying...

RE: Rate of Job Change

I think the perception varies widely by industry.  My length of time with employers goes 5 years, 3 years, 2 years, 3 years, with two of those changes being due to companies going under and one being due to a move.  

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

Then again, there are the ones that actually are job hoppers, because they either get bored or are afraid of getting found out for the low-lifes they actually are.  

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.

TTFN

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Chinese prisoner wins Nobel Peace Prize

RE: Rate of Job Change

Never stay anywhere longer than 2-3 yrs in a 20 year career and I'm going to wonder why.  In fact, I'm probably NOT going to wonder why, because I already see you as the reason.  Instead, I'm probably going to chuck your resume and move on to someone who is more dependable.

RE: Rate of Job Change

moltenmetal,
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

There's always a reason, or perhaps it might be better referred to as an excuse.  When it happens four or five times in a row, the more likely reason is already evident.

RE: Rate of Job Change

(OP)
I think we're  jumping a bit ahead.  I don't mean I intend to be a serial job hopper... But for the next few years, it's a good possibility.

Will my resume be tossed aside, or will I be asked why I keep moving?

RE: Rate of Job Change

(OP)
So, worst case scenario, I will be searching fir my 3rd job in 5 years, at which point I will stay for a longer time.  I'd this harmful to me, considering my age and circumstance?  (or will an employer care about my age and circumstance?)

RE: Rate of Job Change

I try to keep the hire-to-quit ratio at or above 1:1.

RE: Rate of Job Change

It's maybe slightly negative, but there are so many other factors that may make it barely relevant.

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.

Posting guidelines FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm? (probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?

RE: Rate of Job Change

To me, 3 jobs in a 5 year period isn't incredibly off-putting if the 5 year period is the first 5 years of someone's career.  Early on, most people are trying to figure out their career path and not many hit the lottery with a career job as their first.

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

It really depends on your industry and location.

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

I think that the situation has to be considered.  We just got through (getting through?) a large recession where a lot of people were laid off.  Including myself.

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

A job or two or three in a short period is NOT the issue, macmet.  In the early part of an engineer's career, it's not at all unusual.  

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

My career started in 1993
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

(OP)
davidinindy,

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

(OP)
Ah yes, my mistake.  I must pay more attention to my tense

RE: Rate of Job Change

Texaspwreng,

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

There have been similar threads before.

I have had ten jobs in 14 years and never had a problem getting as new one!  

RE: Rate of Job Change

This will vary with industry and discipline.

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

A lot of it can be economy related.  I mean, if you are taking a job for job's sake in a down economy the hiring manager should understand why you are looking for work six months later.

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

I've always questioned the same thing but I think 2 years is a pretty good standard for a minimum. It should your ability to keep a job and be loyal.

 

rubber molding
www.meererubbermolding.com  

RE: Rate of Job Change

(OP)
Thank you all for your replies.

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

"How do I indicate to potential employers NOT to call the office, but to call only cell phones of associates?  "

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.

Posting guidelines FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm? (probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?

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