Not surprisingly, as more Millennials enter the labor force, attitudes about specific work issues are starting to shift. In addition to ushering in increasingly casual dress codes and emphasizing a blended (instead of balanced) work-life mix, they’re helping “job hopping” lose its stigma.

About four in 10 (42 percent) of interviewed U.S. workers believe that changing jobs every few years can benefit their careers, according to a recent Accountemps survey. However, the younger the respondents, the more they thought job hopping was a beneficial step professionally. Of those who responded positively to moving around, the top-cited reasons were:

• better salaries (31 percent)

• skills acquisition (30 percent)

• experiencing a different corporate culture (18 percent). 

Are you among the growing number of workers who think job hopping is a boon to your career? Before you draft that letter of resignation or sign on with another firm, make sure you take a good look at your own situation. Here are five factors to consider when deciding whether to change jobs.

Factor #1: Salary 

Your job is invigorating, you love your co-workers and respect your boss, and you can see yourself growing with the company. The only complaint is your salary. If that’s the case, it’s time to ask for a raise. Employers are well aware of the time and energy it takes to recruit, hire, and train new employees, and many will give productive workers a bump in pay to keep them happy.

If there’s no room in the budget for a raise now, ask your boss whether one would be forthcoming in the next budget cycle. There’s also the option of negotiating other compensation, such as a one-time bonus, remote work, flextime, more paid time off, or a sabbatical leave. 

However, if a higher salary is central to your job satisfaction and a raise is nowhere in sight, job hopping could be a good career move. 

**Factor #**2: Skills Development 

There’s nothing wrong with considering a different job because you feel your current one no longer holds any potential for enhancing your skill set. But before you start scouring job boards, talk to your manager about professional development options, such as cross-training, mentoring or being mentored, pursuing a professional designation, or getting tuition reimbursement for a relevant degree. 

**Factor #**3: Change of Scenery 

Of the survey respondents who thought job hopping could help their careers, 18 percent said the greatest benefit was to experience a new company or corporate culture. This is a valid reason, especially if you’re just starting out or you’ve been with one employer for a long time. However, keep in mind that just because another culture is different does not necessarily mean that it is better. Research other companies carefully before making the leap. 

**Factor #**4. Climbing the Corporate Ladder 

A main cause of professional dissatisfaction is being stuck in a dead-end job. An Accountemps survey finds that for 85 percent of interviewed workers, knowing a potential career path exists at their company is important to their overall job satisfaction. 

If promotions are hard to come by in your organization, changing jobs is a good way to get ahead faster. However, be sure to explore all internal options first and share your concerns with your supervisor. Perhaps you can grow your career by taking on more responsibilities or getting involved in leadership initiatives. To keep you on, your boss might be willing to upgrade your job title and give you a raise.

**Factor #**5: Resume Improvement 

The greatest benefit of job hopping, cited by 7 percent of survey respondents, is that it looks better to have several employers on their resumes. This perspective is one reason managers have to decide whether job hopping candidates are “renaissance” or “dilettantes” — a dichotomy framed by University of California at Berkeley professor Ming Leung. The former are versatile, adaptable, and change jobs frequently to further their skills and keep learning. The latter are less desirable because they give the impression they can’t do anything well. 

When prospective employers look at your resume, which category will they put you in? To find out, look at your work history. If you keep advancing with each job, they’ll tend to see your resume positively. But if you make a series of short lateral moves, you give the impression you can’t hold on to a job.

Bottom Line

What do these findings mean for current and would-be job hoppers? The take-home message is that while frequently changing jobs is slowly shedding its negative reputation, doing so may not always be the wisest career move—especially for professionals in more conservative fields like finance and law. So take a good look before you leap to another company within two years of being hired. You might be able to improve your career trajectory by staying right where you are.