‘Office frogging’ upends offices as Gen Z workers rethink career goals

Gen Z’s making it hip to hop. 

Much like their attention spans, a 20-something’s time spent at one job is often short-lived, according to employment insiders of the rising “office frogging” trend. 

“Office frogs refer to employees who don’t stay in the same job for too long,” Peter Duris, co-founder of AI-based career app, Kickresume, told Forbes. “These ‘office frogs’ are usually Gen Z and aren’t afraid of taking a leap (or hop) of faith.”

And like those little green amphibians, jumping from lily pad to lily pad, overtaxed and underpaid Zoomers — employees under age 27 — are jumping ship. 

They’re frequently bouncing from one role to another, hoping to land new gigs that offer stability, trustworthy leadership, minimal stress and anxiety — and more money, of course. 

Office frogging is a hopping moment, which, like the “revenge quitting” craze, is being led by disgruntled Gen Zers who’d rather return to the fickle, unpredictable job market than move up the corporate ladder at their current companies. 

In fact, a recent Glassdoor poll of 1,000 professionals across the US revealed that 68% of working youngsters would not pursue a management role unless it came with a bigger budget and a more prestigious title. 

If not, office frog’s gotta hop. 

Duris applauds the noncommittal craze, saying, “Often employees may find they aren’t learning anymore or are growing bored with their current roles.”

“Sometimes workers may need a chance to learn new skills and boost their salary,” he continued, “something that may only be possible with a new opportunity.”

Still, the expert warns flighty fledglings that too much job-jumping could make them less attractive candidates to prospective employers in the future. 

Here are Duris’ top tips on office frogging do’s and don’t’s. 

Do be mindful of how job hopping will impact your résumé

“One way to counteract this is to turn your job hopping into a strength, and explain why you chose to leave your previous roles,” he said. “This gives you a chance to talk about the skills you’ve picked up and any achievements you’ve accomplished.”

Do make sure each role is worth the move

Jumping from job to job may not pay off if you don’t move for the right reasons. Duris cautions, “If your current role still offers learning opportunities, or if a potential new role doesn’t provide many new skills, it may be worth staying where you are.”

Don’t speak badly of your old employers.

During interviews, Duris recommends focusing on the positives of your previous roles and what you learned and achieved, rather than on the places your ex-employer fell short. 

He advises against speaking poorly about any aspect of his former position, as it could deter potential employers.