How Changing Jobs Has Evolved
In today’s job market, staying in the same role for more than a decade is becoming increasingly uncommon. Instead, a growing trend called “lily padding” has emerged, particularly among young professionals. The term describes the act of moving between jobs every few years to gain new skills, broaden experience and accelerate career progression, rather than remaining with a single employer. The rise in job hopping among tech professionals is largely fuelled by the fast-moving nature of the industry, where continuous learning and adaptation are essential to remain competitive and advance professionally.
How Job Hopping Can Work in Your Favour in the Tech Industry
When done for the right reasons, job-hopping can be beneficial for tech professionals. One of the main advantages is faster career progression. Rather than waiting years for internal promotions, moving to a new company can open the door to more senior roles and increased responsibility. New employers are more likely to assess candidates based on the skills, experience, and value they can bring to the role, rather than how long they have spent with a particular company.
Changing jobs can provide valuable exposure to new technologies, helping professionals expand and diversify their tech stack. Working across different companies and industries also broadens experience, allowing individuals to develop a wider range of skills and expertise. As new technologies continue to emerge, having a diverse tech stack can make candidates more attractive to employers and help them stand out from others in the market.
It also helps you build a wider professional network. Every role introduces you to new colleagues, managers and clients. In the tech sector, these connections can be invaluable, leading to future job opportunities, collaborations, mentorship and recommendations. As your network grows, so does your visibility within the industry, making it easier to discover new opportunities throughout your career.
Many tech professionals also choose to change roles to increase their earning potential. In a competitive market, moving to a new employer can often result in a more significant salary increase rather than waiting for an annual pay review or promotion. If a role better matches your skills, experience and career goals, making the move can be a strategic financial decision.
How Job Hopping Can Raise Questions
While job hopping can offer many benefits, changing roles too frequently without a clear reason can raise concerns for employers. If your CV shows several short-term positions, hiring managers may question your commitment and whether you'll stay with the company long enough to make a lasting impact. If you've moved roles regularly, be prepared to explain how each move has supported your career growth and development.
Employers also want to see a pattern of progression rather than frequent moves without purpose. Moving roles to gain new skills, take on more responsibility, or work with new technologies can demonstrate ambition and career development. However, if changes appear to be driven only by short-term gains, it may leave employers questioning your long-term goals.
This does not mean job hopping is viewed negatively! It simply means it is important to remember you need to be prepared to explain your decision honestly to future employers about why you left your previous roles if asked.
Is Contracting Your Best Career Move?
Contracting can be an excellent option for tech professionals who enjoy variety and are always looking for their next challenge. Rather than changing permanent roles every couple of years, contract work allows you to gain experience across different projects and organisations without the expectation of staying long-term. It's an ideal choice for those who want to continuously develop their skills, work with new technologies, and enjoy greater flexibility in their career.
Another advantage of contracting is the potential to earn a competitive day rate. Businesses frequently require skilled tech professionals to join projects quickly, replace key team members, or provide specialist expertise, meaning contractors are often in high demand.
Contracting is also a great way to build a broad portfolio of experience. Working across different projects and organisations shows employers that you can quickly adapt to new environments and deliver results. If you decide to move into a permanent role in the future, you’ll have built a diverse skill set and tech stack that can make you stand out to future employers.
Overall…
At Reperio, we work with candidates across both permanent and contract IT roles. If you enjoy working on diverse projects and value flexibility, contracting could be an excellent option to explore. Whatever path you choose, don't stay in a role simply because you think you should, and don't change jobs just for the sake of it. Instead, make career decisions based on opportunities to learn, progress, enjoy your work and achieve your long-term goals. Whether you're looking for your next permanent position or your next contract opportunity, Reperio's specialist tech recruitment team is here to help you find a role that supports your career ambitions.
Written by Amy Goodwin