By 21st June, it would have been my 11th year in the workforce. Time flies and I am at my sixth job now. This converts the average number of years that I have been on a job, to less than two years. This is very low in Millennial / Boomer standard.

In recent interviews, I have been questioned on the reasons for those short stints. Outside employment, friends and relatives pass remarks like "job hopper", "changing jobs like changing clothes".

I get defensive when I hear these comments. I am not a job hopper. I have my reasons...

Before I could speak up for myself and reason, I reflected. Perhaps, I am a job hopper afterall.

Well, CASE's reason was legit. CASE was a small organisation. 4 years plus into the job and I thought it was time to grow and develop elsewhere. Without much experience and idea of what I wanted to do, l accepted National Gallery's offer after sending tons of resumes but to no avail. It was an impulsive decision (or one that a layman would call "anyhow").

National Gallery's departure was understandable too. The "anyhow" decision landed me in the arts scene which I knew nothing about and had no interest at all. The lack in motivation was made even more apparent when colleagues were passionate art lovers. Though "catch no ball" in arts, their passion inspired me to work in a sector which drives me too. I managed to join NCSS and was seconded to YMCA.

Good job fit, nice colleagues, understanding bosses. I was given more than ever growth and learning opportunities. I did so well that I had much profiling at various sectoral platforms. Bright future, but I was blinded by another enticing opportunity which TF offered. Departing NCSS for TF, was a choice which everyone envied. "Nobody would say no", my ex-colleague described.

Unfortunately, TF was a nightmare, which I was desperate to wake up from. SLEC was an escape before I was the last man standing in the team at TF. It being "the way out" was a wrong foot to begin with. I knew it would be a "spare tyre" as I continue to pursue my true career interest. It did not help when fellow ex-colleagues and ex-bosses found out about my long travelling hours, that they started recommending job opportunities way before my one-year mark. "Grab when the opportunity comes", they encouraged, and I did accordingly.

All reasons sounded legit (or maybe because I wanted them to sound like they are), and here I am at my sixth job. Everything seems fine now, except that I have nothing to do. Or maybe because I have nothing to do, that's why things are fine now. Not at the best state yet, because sometimes I do feel "useless". But I trust things will get better. They should get better.

I mean I have no choice right? Before I continue to decrease the average tenure in a job. "Why do you have no choice? You can always choose to leave!" a gen-z cousin encouraged. I hope! Maybe one day no one would judge someone's employability based on the number of jobs they have had!

Till then, I hope I don’t (need to) job hop anymore.