Are you a 'job hopper'?

At any given time, up to 75% of Canadian workers are on the quiet lookout for a new job.

And, they'll jump ship for the right opportunity -- a raise, a promotion, better working conditions, better work culture, more holidays, more flexibility and more recognition.

That's a lot of potential for job hopping.

And a lot of potential for very little loyalty in the workplace.

By the way, a job hopper is considered anyong that's been with their current employer for less than a year.

So with that in mind, let's plunge into the data uncovered and analyzed by online financial problem-solving site GIGAcalculator and online job-search site JobLeads.

One of the big reasons people job hop is for more money.

A job hopper can receive twice as many raises -- 35% -- compared to a tenured employee at 18%.

The most job hoppers work in hospitality and food services with 34% of workers in that industry in their current job for a year or less.

Hospitality and food workers average about two years with their current employer.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that hospitality and food workers will change jobs at the drop of a hat.

The average annual income for workers in that industry is $36,050 -- the lowest of all the 19 sectors studied.

The low pay, combined with the demanding nature of jobs in hospitality and food and irregular hours that are common makes workers quit to seek out other opportunities.

Workers in arts and entertainment, retail and media also tend to be job hoppers because wages are relatively low and working conditions can be challenging.

At the other end of the spectrum, legal services has the lowest percentage of job hoppers at 17.5%.

Workers in that sector stick to a job an average of 3.5 years because they can make a higher wage -- an average of $81,516 a year.

In between, there are many other job categories (see the chart below) that ranges from the longest tenure of 5.7 years for mining and oil and gas workers making $70,000 a year to 5.2 year tenure for science, IT and tech worker who make the most with an average $161,000 annually.

It's not just sector that impacts job hopping, so does age.

70% of 16-to-19 year olds have been with their current employer for less than a year.

Makes sense, because they may be part-time jobs while going to school, which get dumped as soon as they go to post-secondary school or find a better career-oriented job.

Workers age 55 to 64 are the most loyal with only 9.6% in their current job for under a year.

See those figures here:

JobLeads co-founder Martin Schmidt is all for job hopping as a savvy strategy to fast-track your career and boost your pay.

However, he does have a list of five dos and don'ts to make sure job hopping works in your favour.

Do have a clear goal in mind.

Make sure any new job aligns with your strategy.

Do be transparent, but tactful, about why you left your last job after a short time.

Rather than say because management was terrible, say you want a position that encourages professional growth.

Don't burn bridges or badmouth your previous employer.

Leave on good terms and express gratitude for the opportunities you had there.

Don't be a serial job hopper.

Strategic changes to bolster your career are good, change for the sake of change isn't.

You should aim to have jobs that you can stay in beneficially for two or more years.

Don't lie about your work history.

Be upfront about short stints at jobs and why and always highlight your skills and accomplishments as a way to get that great new job.

Check out: https://www.gigacalculator.com/calculators/finance/ and https://www.jobleads.com/

_{Thumbnail photo credits: Jud Mackrill and Campaign Creators on Unsplash}