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Women more likely to frequently change jobs than men

Job stability isn’t an easy thing to come by in the current labour market, so for most people, holding onto that job becomes a top priority.

But take a closer look at trends in employment and it becomes clear that isn’t true for everyone.

LinkedIn released data earlier this week confirming theories that Millennials were job-hopping much more than previous generations. While it's common for people to jump from one job to another within five years of graduating, recent young graduates have a notably higher job-hopping rate, based on LinkedIn’s study of its membership data.

Graduates between 1986 and 1990 worked at an average of one company within the first five years of graduation. However graduates from 2006 to 2010 are averaging three companies within their first five years post-graduation, some have even worked at five different companies in that time.

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This U.S. data shows trends similar to what we’re seeing here in Canada. In February, payroll administrator ADP Canada found in its sentiment survey that a much higher percentage of millennials (55 per cent) were looking to change jobs this year versus all workers (only 30 per cent of which were looking for a job switch).

ALSO READ: Half of Millennials are looking to change careers this year

The one group, however, who seems to show the greatest proclivity for job-hopping, is women. According to LinkedIn’s data, women are slightly more likely to job-hop than men, and that’s true regardless of the year they graduated. The gap between men and women isn’t “statistically significant” according to LinkedIn blogger Brendan Browne, but the gap is widest in the most recent graduating cohort.

Why Millennial women in particular are electing to change jobs more frequently isn’t exactly clear (although LinkedIn told Fast Company that they’re “looking into it” and are hoping to follow this trend further), but there are a few theories which could explain it:

Desire for better pay: It’s no secret that women have traditionally made less money than men in the workplace, and for many women, the only way to get a raise may be to switch companies and find employment elsewhere. A fresh start can not only help give you an opportunity to negotiate a better salary but also allow for new skill-building opportunities — which can, in turn, result in better pay down the road.

Seeking a schedule that works for them: Traditional roles for men and women in the home are shifting  there are more men who prioritize time with the family and more women who prioritize time spent on their career. But many women still value having a work schedule that can accommodate time to care for their family as well as earn an income. A StatsCan survey in 2014 found a four per cent increase in the number of heterosexual parent couples where the husband worked full-time, and the mother worked part-time.

Increased stability: While it sounds counter-intuitive, switching jobs can actually lead to a more stable career. As jobs change, especially as technology evolves, workers need to keep their skills up-to-date and need to keep themselves on the cutting edge of their field. The days of working for the same company your whole life are long gone, and if you want to make sure you’re ready for the next job, it’s up to you to find a situation where you’re building the skills you need to stay competitive.