Mar-Apr 2006 

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Look Before You Hop

Janani Gopalakrishnan

Very often, I find myself listening to writers and recruiters animatedly discussing the demerits (and you will be surprised to know, merits too) of job hopping. Being a freelancer, I tend to view this situation with a dispassionate stance. I think technical writers really do not plan to be bees or butterflies, but the fact that there seem to be more of the latter certainly seems to be a bee in the recruiter's bonnet.

Technical writers cite a variety of reasons for job hopping: the profession still being in the formative stages, unattractive titles or designations, absence of any real challenge, not getting to write new documents, lack of recognition, measly pay, uncooperative or power crazy managers, lack of opportunities to climb up the corporate ladder, and more. On the other hand, recruiters complain about lack of skills, over expectations in terms of responsibilities and pay, and such.

Basically, it seems to be a concern with both employers and employees.

It makes me wonder about the missing piece in the jigsaw puzzle. Is it not important that a person should fit into a job? I am talking about suitability or compatibility here. The job may be very challenging, there may be recognition, a good remuneration, and all that, but I may not fit into the job, either because of lack of interest or skills, or simply because it just does not suit my temperament. And it is only I who can judge this.

For example, I chose to be a freelance writer because I would be a misfit in a 9 to 5 job. I am prepared to remain a Freelance Writer all my life and I willingly give up the prospect of becoming a Vice President (!), for flexible timings and independence.

Is it possible that the root cause of this job hopping syndrome is that people fail to do a sound preliminary analysis before joining or even applying for jobs? I am not talking about Technical Writers alone, but all professionals.

Before joining a college, we explore the various courses, the syllabi, the capability of the faculty, the infrastructure in the college, and so on. We even talk to senior students and obtain their opinions. This is because we know that once we join, we will have to stick on for another 2/3 years till we complete the course. Similarly, before getting married, people do extraordinary groundwork to assure themselves of compatibility, because they know it is a lifetime bond. Fine, I am not saying a job needs to be a lifetime, or even a long-term bond, but we need to find ourselves a job with the intention of staying on at least for a reasonable period of time. It is not right to join with the thought that we can always hop, skip, and jump anytime we do not feel up to it.

Most often, job hops are knee-jerk reactions to the first signs of discontent. If you pause at that juncture and carefully evaluate the next job instead of taking one up impulsively, you might be amazed by the clarity of your own decisions. (For all you know, you might even decide to stay on at the current job itself.)