Stop shaming Gen Z’: Anupam Mittal shares the ‘right strategy’ on job switching

Young professionals today are changing jobs more often than previous generations. Many people call it “job hopping” and criticize it. But Anupam Mittal, founder and CEO of People Group and Shaadi(dot)com, says it’s time to rethink this view. He believes that switching jobs early in a career is normal and actually helps young people figure out what suits them best.Mittal pointed out that moving between jobs in one's early 20s is not a sign of disloyalty. It is a way to explore and learn about oneself."Let's stop shaming Gen Z for switching jobs. I see a lot of 'career gurus' shaming 22-year-olds for switching jobs every year," he wrote on LinkedIn. "But isn't that exactly what the youth should be doing?"According to him, this phase is about understanding what works and what doesn’t.Mittal compared early career choices to dating rather than marriage. Young professionals are testing different roles, companies, and work cultures to see what fits."Early in our careers, we're discovering our passion. We're 'dating' industries, roles & cultures to find what vibes. If you're not feeling it, move. Don't feel bad about it. This is the time to explore, BUT (and that's a big but), once you find that path, you have to stop bouncing & start consolidating," he said.This means it’s okay to switch jobs early, but once you find what suits you, it’s important to stay and grow.While exploring early is important, Mittal says there comes a time to focus and stay longer in one place."...I believe the right strategy in early 20s—ages 21-24—is to explore aggressively. Find what you. Switch if you have to. Age 25+ - Dig in! Find a company worth your time and commit for 4 years," he said.This helps young professionals try different things first and then build stability and experience later.Mittal also explained why longer stints matter when hiring for senior roles."When I'm hiring for Sr. leadership or 'Level 1' roles, I am clear; I almost always reject a resume that doesn't have at least one 4-5 year stint."He says real growth comes from staying in a role long enough to see the results of your decisions, not just enjoying the excitement of starting something new.Many people online agreed with Mittal. One said, "This is so true. Early 20s are meant for exploring, not settling. How will someone know what they truly like without trying different roles?"Another wrote, "I resigned today for this exact reason. I realized I never gave myself enough time to truly explore what kind of role, environment, or position works best for me, and building my own thing felt like the right way to do that. Thanks for sharing!"A third summed it up perfectly: "This nails the nuance most career advice misses: movement early is learning, but staying long enough to see outcomes is where real growth and leadership are forged."Thumb image: X/Anupam Mittal