1. Career Stability vs. Job Hopping in the UK [Real Data]

Career Stability vs. Job Hopping in the UK [Real Data]

LiveCareer UK Editorial Team
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The UK job market is fast-paced and ever-changing, with professionals facing a key decision: stick with one employer for the long haul or switch roles frequently for new opportunities. Both job hopping and career stability offer unique benefits, but the right choice often depends on individual goals and industry dynamics.

By exploring real data, we’ll uncover how these trends shape career paths across sectors. If you understand the trade-offs between stability and mobility, then you can make more informed and strategic decisions in today’s competitive job market.

Key observations:

  1. High mobility professions: Roles like visual artists, client advisors, and waiters tend to involve shorter job tenures and higher mobility, often driven by the nature of the industry or personal career exploration.
  2. Stable roles: Professions such as electricians, hairdressers, and production workers show lower turnover rates, often tied to technical expertise and localised job opportunities.
  3. Mixed patterns: Some roles, like architects, doctors, and teachers, combine moderate job changes with long careers, reflecting structured career ladders and the need to balance growth with stability.

How are career choices shaped in a dynamic UK job market?

The UK job market is shaped by a variety of external factors, including the aftermath of Brexit, the rise of remote work, and ongoing economic shifts. These influences have reshaped career pathways, impacting whether professionals choose to stay with one employer for the long term or switch jobs frequently in pursuit of new opportunities.

In this article, we analyse career stability and mobility across professions using data from our builder, collected between the 6th of January and the 6th of June 2024. Drawing insights from 369,846 CVs and 223,305 users, we reveal whether professionals in certain roles are more likely to stay in one position or frequently change jobs. By exploring these trends, you'll gain valuable insights into how your role and industry dynamics could shape your career decisions.

UK-based employees change jobs every 2.6 years

A national average work history based on our data for UK users illustrates the following trends: the overall average work experience is 98 months (approximately 8 years), with an average job count of 3. This means that, on average, UK professionals change jobs every 31.5 months (around 2.6 years) based on our combined data.

What might be the key factors influencing such changes?

  1. Low unemployment and an employee-driven market
    Low unemployment in the UK, holding steady at 4.3% in the three months leading up to October 2024, has created an employee-driven job market. This shift gives professionals more opportunities to switch roles for better pay, career growth, or increased flexibility.
  1. Generational trends and perceptions

While frequent job changes may appear disloyal to some, they are common among younger workers exploring career paths and building diverse skill sets. Data from the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that workers aged 16–24 are more likely to switch jobs compared to older age groups. For this demographic, job hopping is often seen as a strategic way to advance and adapt to a rapidly changing workforce.

  1. Changing perceptions of job hopping

Once seen as a lack of commitment, job changes are now widely accepted, particularly in industries where adaptability and skill diversity are key. Sectors such as technology, marketing, and creative fields often encourage professionals to acquire a broad range of experiences to stay competitive.

This trend is particularly notable among younger generations, such as Millennials and Gen Z, who are more likely to engage in job hopping. According to a Gallup report, 21% of Millennials say they have changed jobs within the past year, which is more than three times the rate of non-Millennials.

Turnover rates across industries

Understanding turnover rates across various industries gives insights into how job stability varies among professions. Below, we analyse industries with high, moderate, and low turnover rates based on user-provided data, highlighting the key factors driving these trends.

turnover trends across UK industries

High turnover professions

Food & Beverage (F&B) professions

Examples: Director of Food and Beverage, Executive Chef, Food & Beverage Manager, Executive Sous Chef.

Key drivers:

  • Seasonality: Demand fluctuates significantly during peak seasons, such as holidays and special events, contributing to temporary employment and burnout.
  • Intense work culture: Long hours, high stress, and demanding schedules often lead to quicker job transitions.

Creative professions

Examples: Artistic Director, Costume Designer, Design Lead.

Key drivers:

  • Project-based nature: Many creative roles are contract-based or tied to specific projects, resulting in frequent job changes.
  • Innovation-driven environment: Professionals often switch roles to gain exposure to diverse creative opportunities or advance their portfolios.

Strategic leadership and growth professions

Examples: Senior Category Manager, Business Coach, Head of Communications, Community Lead, Global Project Manager, Freelance Trainer.

Key drivers:

  • Dynamic job nature: These roles are typically tied to rapid organisational shifts or short-term strategic goals.
  • Ambitious career paths: High performers in leadership or growth roles frequently seek opportunities to climb the career ladder.

Moderately stable professions

In professions with moderate stability, turnover rates are lower, but professionals still transition between roles as they pursue growth or adapt to evolving industry demands.

Operational and management roles

Examples: Product Director, Director of Operations, Technical Operations Manager, Head of Projects, Vice President of Operations.

Key drivers:

  • Career growth: These roles offer structured growth paths, encouraging employees to stay longer before transitioning to higher positions.
  • Complex skill sets: Specialised expertise in operations and management can take time to develop, fostering longer tenure.

Architecture and construction professions

Examples: Lead Architect, Senior Construction Manager, Assistant Construction Manager, Construction Project Manager.

Key drivers:

  • Long-term projects: These professions often involve multi-year projects, naturally requiring extended commitment.
  • High skill demand: Skilled professionals face less pressure to change jobs frequently due to sustained demand.

Sales professions

Examples: Assistant Director of Sales, Director of Sales, Head of Supply Chain, Head of Customer Success, Commercial Director.

Key drivers:

  • Target-driven stability: Such professionals stay in their roles to achieve targets or develop client portfolios, leading to moderate stability.

Education professions

Examples: Education Specialist, Supply Teaching Assistant, Business English Trainer.

Key drivers:

  • Predictable work environment: Education roles offer structured routines and a clear sense of purpose, which reduce turnover.

Finance professions

Examples: Finance Director, Senior Finance Assistant, Finance Business Partner.

Key drivers:

  • Career progression: Stability in finance is driven by opportunities to advance within a firm or organisation over time.

Highly stable professions

Certain fields stand out for their exceptionally low turnover rates, with professionals typically staying in one role for a couple of years.

Skilled trades and technical roles

Examples: Automobile Mechanic Assistant, Two-Wheeler Mechanic, Aviation Maintenance Technician, Metro Driver, Robotics Engineer, Java Programmer.

Key drivers:

  • Regulated pathways: These roles often require certifications or specialised training, fostering long-term commitments.
  • Job security: High demand for skilled professionals creates stable employment opportunities.

Criminal justice and legal professions

Examples: Criminal Investigator, Criminologist, Senior Advocate, Court Assistant.

Key drivers:

  • Institutional framework:Many legal and justice roles are part of larger institutions with structured career paths.
  • Job purpose: The nature of work often provides intrinsic motivation, leading to long tenures.

Nursing and medical professions

Examples:State Enrolled Nurse, Dental Assistant, Nursery Helper, Hair Stylist Assistant.

Key drivers:

  • Long-term benefits: Medical roles frequently offer pensions, job security, and opportunities for upskilling.
  • Job fulfillment: The personal satisfaction of caregiving often results in extended commitment.

Retail and food industry roles

Examples: Grocery Shop Manager, Mobile Phone Shop Manager, Fruit Market Vendor, Clothes Shop Manager.

Key drivers:

  • Local stability: Retail jobs often cater to community needs, making employees less likely to relocate or change jobs.
  • Predictable work: Familiarity with routine operations fosters long-term retention.

Visual artists, client advisors, and chefs change jobs most frequently

Who tends to stay longer in their roles, and who is more likely to move frequently? Below is a breakdown of specific professions, highlighting the average number of jobs held and the length of experience.

Highly stable professionals (fewer job changes)

Electricians

  • Average jobs: 2
  • Experience: 9 years

Hairdressers and beauty professionals

  • Average jobs: 2
  • Experience: 7 years

Production workers

  • Average jobs: 2
  • Experience: 6 years

Programmers

  • Average jobs: 2
  • Experience: 6 years

Agriculture workers

  • Average jobs: 2
  • Experience: 6 years

Sales Assistants

  • Average jobs: 2
  • Experience: 6 years

Stable movers (moderate job changes)

Architects

  • Average jobs: 3
  • Experience: 8 years

Doctors

  • Average jobs: 3
  • Experience: 8 years

Teachers and tutors

  • Average jobs: 3
  • Experience: 8 years

Nurses

  • Average jobs: 3
  • Experience: 8 years

Lawyers

  • Average jobs: 3
  • Experience: 10 years

Drivers

  • Average jobs: 3
  • Experience: 10 years

Veterinarians

  • Average jobs: 3
  • Experience: 8 years

Frequent movers (higher job changes)

Visual artists

  • Average jobs: 4
  • Experience: 9 years

Client advisors

  • Average jobs: 4
  • Experience: 6 years

Waiters/bartenders

  • Average jobs: 3
  • Experience: 4 years

Chefs

  • Average jobs: 3
  • Experience: 6 years

Marketing and promotion specialists

  • Average jobs: 3
  • Experience: 7 years

What can employees learn from these trends?

Deciding whether to pursue career stability or change jobs depends on your professional goals, industry, and personal preferences. Certain circumstances can make one approach more beneficial than the other.

When does career stability make sense?

Stability is often advantageous in fields such as law, education, medicine, and other roles where trust, expertise, and long-term relationships are highly valued. Suitable professions include law, education, and medicine, where stability leads to deeper expertise and long-term financial security. To succeed, focus on roles that offer growth opportunities aligned with your long-term goals and ambitions. Building strong professional relationships and refining your expertise will also enhance job satisfaction and career resilience.

When is job hopping the right choice?

Industries like tech, creative roles, and other dynamic sectors thrive on innovation and adaptability. Frequent job changes can help professionals stay competitive, broaden their skill sets, and access exciting opportunities. You should prioritise roles that offer unique learning experiences, exposure to cutting-edge projects, or career advancement. Maintaining a clear and structured career path is key to demonstrating adaptability without seeming inconsistent.

As we mentioned earlier, the UK job market is influenced by factors such as Brexit, the rise of remote work, and evolving industry trends. Evaluate how these factors impact your field; research hiring trends, salaries, and opportunities for growth. Stay flexible and open to reskilling or transitioning into high-demand fields to identify more profitable opportunities while fostering your professional growth.

Summary

The UK job market opens up opportunities for both career stability and job hopping, each offering distinct advantages depending on individual goals and industry dynamics.

  • Career stability is beneficial in fields like law, healthcare, education, and skilled trades, where long-term expertise, trust, and relationship-building are highly valued. These roles often provide structured growth, job security, and financial stability.
  • Job hopping thrives in fast-paced, innovation-driven sectors such as technology, creative industries, and marketing. Switching roles frequently enables professionals to stay competitive, acquire diverse skills, and seize new opportunities.

How we review the content at LiveCareer

Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.

Sources

About the author

LiveCareer UK Editorial Team
LiveCareer UK Editorial Team

Since 2013, the LiveCareer UK team has shared the best advice to help you advance your career. Experts from our UK editorial team have written more than one hundred guides on how to write the perfect CV or cover letter.

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