In a full-blown labour shortage, companies don’t hesitate to offer salaries that defy the competition to attract new employees. Changing jobs frequently is therefore an effective strategy to increase your personal income. Before you take the plunge, here are some tips.
Job hopping, i.e., the frequent and deliberate changing of jobs, has had some success, especially with millennials. And they are probably right to do so. A 2019 analysis by ADP, a payroll services and human resources administration company, indicates that employees who take a new job at another company receive more money than their colleagues who stay.
According the latest data from ADP, wage growth for those who remain held steady at 7.3% in January 2023. The worst sector was IT, where wage growth slowed from 7% to 6.6%. Conversely, those who decided to leave saw their income increase by an average of 15.4%. So to attract top talent, companies are beginning to recognize that they have to pay bonuses or accept requests for raises.
Professionalism above all
Attractive figures, but don’t let them stop you from being cautious when making the decision to leave or stay. First of all, it is recommended that you find another job before quitting, especially if you change companies frequently. A job hopper profile could deter some recruitment services, who will note an inconsistency in the career path. Depending on the sector, there’s no guarantee that you’ll find a position in the blink of an eye.
Once the decision is made, the professionalism and the way in which a person resigned is what will stick in people’s memories, according to Caroline Boyce, lecturer at HEC Montreal. She suggests always announcing the news orally, rather than in writing, giving sufficient notice and being honest about your reasons for leaving. The company might try to get you to stay by offering new working conditions, a job change, or even a raise.
Finally, when leaving a company, it is important not to try to drag your colleagues with you and to work to the best of your ability until the last day of the contract. The general idea is to keep good relationships with people who could be called on to recommend (or not) a profile. All this advice is valid, of course, if the company treats the people it employs correctly.