What I Learned from Changing Jobs Three Times

I'm a developer in my mid-30s, and this is my fourth company. I spent 2 years at my first company, 1.5 years at my second, 2 years at my third, and I'm in my first year at my current one. This isn't meant to encourage job-hopping; I'm just writing down what I've experienced.

1. Your salary goes up when you change jobs, but expectations rise with it

When I changed jobs the first time, I was happy about a 20% raise, but as soon as I joined, the pressure to "prove I was worth it" came right along with it. Now, when I look at an offer, I care more about the team situation and onboarding process than the salary.

2. They ask about your reason for leaving no matter where you go

I once answered honestly with "because of the people," and the interview atmosphere went cold. Now I keep the facts but frame them around "the direction I want to move in."

3. References are so much easier if you build them up in advance

When I was preparing to change jobs in a hurry, reaching out to my old team lead was the most embarrassing and difficult part. Now there are two people I still check in with occasionally even after leaving.

4. What you did around your third year matters most

Rather than flashy projects from when I was a junior, I was asked far more often about what problems I took responsibility for through to the end in my third year.

Lastly, when a job change isn't working out, just finishing even one thing properly at your current company ended up being the fastest path. Good luck, everyone.