In the past, people spent their entire lives doing one job. But nowadays, they change their jobs frequently. Please give the reasons and do you think it brings more advantages or disadvantages?
With the ever quickening pace of society, people tend to change their jobs more frequently than ever before. The improvements in insurance and social welfare system, technological breakthrough, and fierce competition contribute to this social phenomenon.
Firstly, the developments of insurance system and social welfare have rendered it easier for workers to hunt for jobs. Centuries ago when there was no well-functioning insurance and social welfare, people were reluctant to change their jobs for the simple reason that they didn’t want to take too risky a move. Because once it was too long to remain unemployed, they, along with their families, would suffer. But now, with the help of social welfare and insurance system, people can still make ends meet even in the worst case by living on social welfare. It is reported that people in Sweden will get 90% of their previous annual salary in the first year of unemployment.
The advancement of science and technology is another reason for the increase in the frequency of changing jobs. With the assistance of technology, information is becoming increasingly transparent and accessible, which means individuals can look and apply for their dream jobs more readily. The development of technology has also facilitated those who intend to find jobs geographically far from their homes. Without the invention of planes, working in a multinational company and attending meetings all around the world would be impossible.
Intense competition in modern society is another factor driving more people to shift their jobs more frequently. In the business jungle, it is only the fittest that will survive. Companies have to constantly lay off those unfit to keep their competitive edge.
Changing jobs, on the one hand, affords us opportunities to expand our horizons and enrich our experiences. Working in various positions in different companies allows workers to get an insight into different corporate management styles and company cultures. On the other, it may lead to loyalty issues. Those job hoppers are unlikely to be trusted by their employers, and thus doing nothing but some menial jobs.
To sum up, societal development, scientific and technological improvement as well as competition contribute to people’s changing their jobs more frequently. I think it is hard to say whether changing jobs bring more advantages or disadvantages. Individuals are advised to think twice before they take the leap.