I changed jobs 10 times in 10 years to find the job I wanted

Nicola Grant, chief people officer at UK insurer Hiscox, says she has noticed a wider shift in the way people think about their work.

Increasingly, individuals—especially early in their careers—want to build a wide range of experience quickly rather than follow a single, linear path. You are building a portfolio of skills.

She also found that there is a strong desire to move among younger workers if they feel their advancement is slowing down or their options are limited.

“Expectations have changed; people want to build diversity, speed and relevant capabilities,” she says, “It’s about growth.”

“This ultimately benefits both the individual and the organization,” she added.

Lucy Kemp, strategic brand and communications lead and employee experience specialist at IT company La Fosse, agrees.

To her, lily-padding is a career opportunity, not just a trend, as people who adopt the strategy try to reach more senior roles and higher salaries.

“Young people see that loyalty doesn’t pay off,” says Kemp. “They want to shape their own careers based on the skills they provide.

“There’s a different sense of accomplishment compared to previous generations, a completely different work experience,” she says.

Kemp also points out that peer-to-peer learning isn’t happening as much in the office since the pandemic, with people working from home and AI taking over basic tasks.

Instead, people look at skills that will be useful in five years. And you’ll find them by moving to another project on a different team, to another sector, or to a job at another company, says Kemp. “People want to learn new things and have a purpose.”

That’s how Harris-Nelson feels. “I see my work as an ongoing journey, not a destination,” she says. “I’m always learning and growing.”