job-hopping

job-hopping — noun

1. the pattern of leaving one position after another at short intervals, rather tha

1.nounB2
Definition

the pattern of leaving one position after another at short intervals, rather than building a long career at a single company

Example

Marco's job-hopping raised questions at the interview for his fifth role.

possessive form: 'name's job-hopping'

Nora explained her job-hopping by saying she wanted to learn new skills.

collocation: explain + one's job-hopping

Common collocations
  • a history of job-hopping
  • a pattern of job-hopping
  • frequent job-hopping
  • a reputation for job-hopping
Synonyms
Antonyms

Usage Note

Typically used in workplace and career contexts. Can carry a negative tone when used by employers, but is increasingly neutral — especially among younger workers — as changing jobs frequently has become more common.

Common Mistakes

His job-hopping is impressive.
His varied work experience is impressive.
'job-hopping' can sound negative; use neutral terms when the context is positive.

Word family

  • job-hop
    verbB2
  • job-hopper
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Job-hopping and job-jumping both describe the practice of changing employers often, but job-jumping is more casual and slightly more disapproving — you might hear it in gossip about a colleague. Frequent job changes is the most neutral phrase and works well in formal writing or CVs where you want to avoid any negative spin. Career mobility is the most positive framing: it presents the same pattern as intentional professional growth. For example, a recruiter might ask about your history of job-hopping, but you would describe it as career mobility in a cover letter.

job-jumpingcareer mobilityfrequent job changes

Common collocations

Nouns

  • history of job-hopping
  • pattern of job-hopping

Adverbs

Phrases

  • a reputation for job-hopping

Etymology

English

Formed from job and hopping, where hop means to move quickly or lightly from one place to another. The term emerged in the mid-20th century as labour markets became more fluid and workers began changing employers more freely.

First known use

1945

1945, in the meaning defined above