If you belong to Gen Z and are starting your career, chances are someone—maybe your dad, maybe your boss, or even a well-meaning aunt—has told you: “Don’t jump around so much. It won’t look good on your resume.” That advice probably came from someone who has built their career in a very different world.
Back then, the goal was simple: Join a company, stay loyal, and steadily climb the ladder. You’ll collect promotions (and maybe a farewell gift) and retire in the same chair you started in. For Baby Boomers, this made sense because job security, clear progression, and long-term benefits rewarded loyalty.
But for many Gen Z workers today, staying in the same role too long doesn’t feel like loyalty—it feels like being stuck. With industries shifting, technology advancing, and job roles constantly being reinvented, staying put can sometimes mean falling behind.
A 2024 survey by global recruitment agency Randstad found that 33% of workers in Singapore changed roles because they weren’t learning or growing. So maybe job-hopping isn’t about disloyalty—it’s just smart career maintenance.
Different generations, different career rules
Not long ago, the career game was more predictable. You could build a long-term stable career in a single company or even a single role. That approach offered security and a sense of clarity about the future.
Today? Not so much. The working world moves fast—really fast. Technology is reshaping entire industries, and the skills that got you hired five years ago might already be outdated. Gone are the days when one degree or a specific set of skills could carry you through your entire working life.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023, nearly 23% of jobs globally are expected to change by 2027, and almost half the workforce will need to reskill just to stay relevant. New roles, like AI ethicist, sustainability analyst, or machine learning ops engineer, are always popping up.
In this new reality, staying career-healthy means staying curious, adaptable, and ready to evolve with market trends and demands.
Looking for a new role? Explore over 100,000 jobs available on MyCareersFuture now!
A stable career journey isn’t always a straight line up
That’s why, for many Gen Z workers, job-hopping isn’t about chasing shiny titles; it’s about staying ready, relevant, and resilient in their careers. A 2023 study by consultancy firm FDM Group found that 66% of Gen Z would switch jobs for better learning opportunities, even if the salary stayed the same. That’s not job-hopping for fun; it’s strategic planning for career growth.
At the same time, traditional job security has become less reliable. With the rise of contract roles, flatter hierarchies, and frequent restructuring, staying put no longer guarantees stability. Sometimes, moving on is less about being restless and more about survival in a fast-moving world.
And here’s the big myth to debunk: Job-hopping doesn’t mean that Gen Z lacks loyalty. It just means loyalty looks different now. A survey by global professional services firm, Deloitte, found that 86% of Gen Zs say purpose-driven work is key to having job satisfaction. They’re loyal to growth and values, as well as making an impact. So they’ll stay—but only if the role grows with them.
Singapore’s career landscape: What’s shifting locally
These global trends are visible in the workplace in Singapore and are shaping what younger workers expect from their employers.
- Hybrid is the new default: 88% of Gen Z workers in Singapore prefer hybrid work arrangements, with most saying two to three days in the office strikes the right balance for productivity and well-being.
- Flexibility isn’t just a perk—it’s a dealbreaker: Over 70% say flexible work arrangements influence whether they apply, accept, or stay in a role.
- Purpose over perks: 89% of Gen Zs say having a sense of purpose at work is essential. Many are willing to turn down company offers that don’t align with their values.
- Sustainability matters: 24% have switched jobs or industries over environmental concerns. How a company treats the planet matters just as much to them as how it treats its people.
Career health is the new job security
This mindset shift isn’t about switching jobs for the sake of it. It’s what career health means. It’s about empowering yourself to chart a sustainable, long-term pathway by staying updated on growth industries, investing in your job skills, and seeking out support like career coaching when needed. Gen Zs are choosing to move with intention, not out of fear or habit.
And employers today are also starting to get the message. The most forward-thinking companies aren’t just offering trendy perks, they’re learning to invest in their people. That means real development opportunities, support for upskilling, clear progression paths, and access to career planning tools. Because in today’s working world, helping employees grow isn’t simply “nice to have”, it’s a necessity.
So, should you stay or go?
If you’re still wondering whether job-hopping is “bad,” here’s the short answer: It depends. If you’re changing jobs every few months without an apparent reason, it will probably raise questions and may affect your chances of getting a job. But if you’re switching roles to learn, grow, or work somewhere that better aligns with your career goals, that’s not flaky. That’s thoughtful, strategic career planning.
The world of work has changed. Climbing the ladder at one spot might still work for some. But for others, it’s about building a jungle gym—taking lateral moves, gaining new experiences, learning fresh skills. Whether you stay or go, the most important thing is to be intentional and make moves that show you care for your career health.
You’ve got this.
