HRegatta Edition-5,issue-1, 2014 | Page 19

YOUNG MANAGERS ON A CONSTANT JOB HUNT Don’t expect blind loyalty. If their current firm does not provide them with these opportunities, they will not think twice to move elsewhere A resume that shows 3 job switches in a span of 6 years would have been tossed into the bin about 20 years ago, viewed as an unreliable job hopper, but not anymore. The 1990s have completely changed the rules for how long employees stay at their jobs - and how long employers expect them to. Today, more employees view themselves as “free agents” who must actively manage their own careers. They know their economic survival depends on maintaining cuttingedge skills. They realize their companies may lay them off at any moment if there’s a business slump or merger. And so they don’t feel the guilt when jumping ship if another job offers a bigger pay check or more growth opportunity. Recruiters now scrutinize when positions are held for too long: ‘Why was that person happy in a company for all this time? Challenged by a lot of different roles? Too comfortable to leave?’” Factors that may contribute to a job hunters’ decision: • Job-hopping allows you to widen your choice of jobs, improve skills • Careers are no longer linear, to piece together positions and opportunities 19 • Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org