How not to become a Job Hopper!

Maybe it's our natural "fight or flight" instinct, or maybe it's impatience being fueled by our "I want it now" society. Frequent decisions to change jobs - changes that don't illustrate growth, advancement or progression - can truly damage your career. Rather than just jumping to the next thing that comes along, or even feeling repelled by your current employer, think and plan before you make your move. I mean really take some time to be honest with yourself about the kind of strengths you offer and the things that are truly important to you in that next better fit opportunity. Too often people will stop planning when they believe they have found the right job, but how are they defining the right job. Well, they got the title they wanted, or the salary they wanted, or the office they wanted, or the company car...or maybe all of these were part of the package. But did they do their homework, research the organization and ask some tough questions during their interviews? Did they learn all they can about the other elements that may make this job the right opportunity?

The other elements of the right opportunity will likely include: the type of tasks and responsibilities you would enjoy, the skills you want to acquire or develop further, the size of the organization, the company's structure and management style, the hours and work schedule, whether you will be working alone or as part of a team, the level of flexibility and autonomy you will have, the opportunities for advancement-travel-tuition reimbursement-professional development, etc., etc., etc. These are the issues that should be addressed during interviews, but too many people forget to ask the questions. If you try your very best to define the elements of that better fit or best fit opportunity in advance - you have a much better chance of truly finding it during your search. And maybe then you won't find yourself job hopping - maybe you'll find yourself progressing into roles that are satisfying, challenging and in sync with where you want to be on your career path.

Finding the right opportunity will take time, effort, self assessment and even patience - but the payoff may be a career position that you enjoy for many years. And employers define commitment in terms of years, not months.