Anupam Mittal Just Dropped the Best Career Advice for Gen Z

I've been thinking a lot about career advice lately. As the founder of Fueler, a portfolio platform that helps companies hire through assessments, I interact with thousands of young professionals every day. And honestly, the amount of guilt and shame Gen Z faces for switching jobs is heartbreaking.

Then I saw Anupam Mittal's post, and it completely changed how I think about early career strategy. The Shark Tank judge and founder of Shaadi.com just dropped some truth bombs that every 20-something needs to hear.

Stop Feeling Guilty About Job Hopping

Here's the thing. Too many "career gurus" shame 22-year-olds for switching jobs every year. But here's what Anupam said that hit different: isn't that exactly what young people should be doing?

Think about it. Early in your career, you're discovering your passion. You're "dating" industries, roles, and company cultures to find what actually vibes with you. If something doesn't feel right, you should move on. Don't feel bad about it. This is literally the time to explore.

The numbers back this up. According to Randstad's 2025 research, Gen Z's average job tenure in the first five years is just 1.1 years. That's significantly shorter than Millennials at 1.8 years, Gen X at 2.8 years, and Baby Boomers at 2.9 years. And you know what? That's perfectly fine for people in their early 20s.

The Reality Check: Entry-Level Jobs Are Disappearing

Before we go further, let's talk about what Gen Z is actually facing. Global job postings for roles requiring 0-2 years of experience have declined by 29% since January 2024. Junior tech roles? Down 35%. Finance positions? Down 24%.

Yet 31% of Gen Z employees are planning to switch jobs within the next six months, according to a TriNet study. This isn't happening because they're disloyal. It's happening because they're actively searching for growth opportunities in a tough market.

The Big But: When You Need to Stop Bouncing

Here's where Anupam's advice gets really interesting. He says there's a big "but" in this strategy.

Once you find your path, you have to stop bouncing and start sticking around.

When he's hiring for senior leadership or top-level roles, he's very clear. He almost always rejects resumes that don't have at least one 4-5 year stint. Why? Because you usually cannot see the consequences of your own decisions in just 12 months.

Let me break down what happens in those crucial years:

Year 1: You're learning. You're figuring out the systems, the people, the culture. You're building your foundation.

Year 2: You're executing. You're actually doing the work you were hired to do. You're starting to make an impact.

Year 3: You're dealing with the mess from Year 2 (yes, there will be mess) and scaling the wins. This is where the real growth happens.

This timeline isn't random. Research shows that staying at a company for 3-5 years has become the norm for a reason. It's the balance between professional growth and actually seeing the results of your work.

The Career Strategy That Actually Works

So what's the right strategy? Anupam breaks it down by age, and I think this is brilliant:

Age 21-24: Explore Aggressively

• Find what you love
• Switch jobs if you have to
• Date different industries and roles
• Don't worry about what people think
• Build your portfolio of experiences

Age 25+: Dig In

• Find a company worth your time
• Commit for at least 4 years
• Build deep industry knowledge
• See your projects through to completion
• Develop real expertise

Why the 4-Year Rule Matters

Here's something most career advice misses. If you want to be a founder or a CEO someday, you need to prove you can stay in the kitchen when it gets hot.

It takes 1 year to understand a job. But it takes 3-5 years to understand an industry. That's when you actually win.

Think about it from a hiring manager's perspective. When I'm looking at candidates on Fueler, I can see their complete work portfolio. Someone with five 1-year stints looks very different from someone with a 4-year stint followed by strategic moves.

The first person shows exploration. The second shows commitment AND strategic thinking.

The Truth About Job Hopping in 2025

Let's get real about the current job market. Job hopping used to guarantee bigger paychecks. According to Atlanta Fed data from early 2025, workers who stayed put got a 4.6% wage increase, while those who switched got only 4.8%. That's just a 0.2% difference. The smallest gap in 10 years.

The financial advantage of job hopping is disappearing. So if you're going to switch jobs, it better be for growth, learning, or alignment with your values. Not just for a marginally higher salary.

What Gen Z Is Actually Looking For

Here's what the data tells us. According to ResumeLab, 83% of Gen Zers consider themselves job hoppers. Their main reasons for switching?

1. Finding positions that better suit their interests or values
2. Opportunities to get new skills
3. Better compensation

Gen Z isn't switching jobs because they're flaky. They're switching because they're growth-hungry. They're switching jobs at a rate 134% higher than before the pandemic, according to LinkedIn data.

But here's the catch. Only 52% are actively looking for new roles because they're seeking better opportunities. Many feel underprepared and unsupported in their current roles.

Building a Portfolio That Tells Your Story

At Fueler, we see this challenge every day. Young professionals struggle to show the depth of their work when they've had multiple short stints.

That's why we built a platform where you can showcase actual work through assignments, not just job titles. Because here's the truth: your portfolio tells a better story than your resume ever will.

When you're in your exploration phase (ages 21-24), use every role to build diverse skills. Document your projects. Show your growth. Build proof of your capabilities.

When you're in your consolidation phase (age 25+), use those 4-5 years to develop deep expertise. Create substantial projects. Become known for something specific.

The Skills Gap Is Real

Let's talk about something important. In 2025, only 39% of Gen Z workers feel equipped to succeed in their roles. That's down from 59% in 2024. That's a massive 20-point drop in just one year.

This isn't about Gen Z being less capable. It's about companies failing to provide proper training and support. The confidence gap is real, and it's getting worse.

That's why the 4-year commitment becomes even more valuable. When you stay long enough, you move past that initial learning curve. You become the expert. You become the person others ask for help.

My Take as a Founder

Building Fueler has taught me something powerful about hiring.

The best candidates aren't the ones with perfect, linear career paths. They're the ones who explored fearlessly in their early 20s, found what set their soul on fire, and then went all in.

I've reviewed thousands of portfolios. Here's what I've noticed:

Some candidates have seven different jobs in seven years. When I ask them what they learned, they give me generic answers. "I improved my communication skills." "I learned teamwork." Nothing specific. Nothing memorable. Nothing that shows growth.

Then there are candidates with just three strategic moves. When they talk about their journey, their eyes light up. They tell me exactly how the startup taught them to move fast, how the corporate role taught them to think at scale, and how their current position lets them combine both. Each experience built on the last one. Each move was deliberate.

What separates these two types of candidates?

One word: Intentionality.

Job hopping without purpose is just running away. Job switching with intention is building a foundation.

The question isn't how many companies you've worked for. The question is: can you connect the dots? Can you show me how each experience shaped who you are today?

That's what great portfolios do. That's what great careers are built on.

Making It Work: Practical Steps

If you're in your early 20s right now, here's what you should do:

1. Give each role at least 1 year. Anything less looks like you quit when things got hard.
2. Document everything you learn. Build your Fueler portfolio. Show your growth.
3. Be honest about why you're moving. "I want to learn X" is better than "I got bored."
4. Look for growth, not just money. The best investment is in yourself.
5. Around age 25, get serious. Find a company doing something you believe in. Commit for 4 years minimum. Build something real.

The Bottom Line

Anupam Mittal is right. We need to stop shaming Gen Z for job hopping in their early 20s. That exploration phase is valuable. It's necessary.

But we also need to be honest about when it's time to stop bouncing and start building. That 4-5 year commitment isn't old-fashioned thinking. It's the difference between sampling careers and actually building one.

Your early 20s are for exploration. Your late 20s are for consolidation. Know which phase you're in, and act accordingly.

Because at the end of the day, companies don't hire job hoppers. They hire people who can commit when it matters. They hire people who stay in the kitchen when it gets hot.

The question isn't whether you should switch jobs. The question is: have you found something worth staying for?

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I stay at my first job out of college?

You should aim for at least 1-2 years at your first job. This gives you enough time to learn the basics, complete full project cycles, and build credible experience. However, if you're in a toxic environment or not learning anything valuable, it's okay to leave earlier. The key is being intentional about your reasons for staying or leaving.

Is job hopping bad for your career in 2025?

Job hopping in your early 20s (ages 21-24) is actually beneficial for career exploration and skill development. However, after age 25, you should aim for at least one 4-5 year stint to show commitment and deep industry knowledge. The key is strategic job changes focused on growth, not frequent moves without clear purpose.

How do I explain multiple short job stints in an interview?

Frame your job changes as intentional exploration and learning. Focus on what unique skills you gained from each role and how they build toward your current career goals. For example: "I spent time in marketing, sales, and product management to understand the full customer journey, which prepared me for this role." Show growth and intentionality, not randomness.

What's the ideal number of jobs to have before age 30?

There's no perfect number, but a good pattern is 2-4 exploratory roles (1-2 years each) between ages 21-24, followed by one significant commitment (4-5 years) from age 25-30. This shows both breadth of experience and depth of expertise. Quality matters more than quantity.

How can I build my portfolio while job hopping?

Document every project you work on, even small ones. Use platforms like Fueler to showcase your actual work through assignments and case studies. Focus on demonstrating growth, skills learned, and impact made at each role. Your portfolio should tell a story of intentional skill-building and increasing responsibility, not just a list of job titles.

What is Fueler Portfolio?

Fueler is a career portfolio platform that helps companies find the best talent for their organization based on their proof of work. You can create your portfolio on Fueler. Thousands of freelancers around the world use Fueler to create their professional-looking portfolios and become financially independent. Discover inspiration for your portfolio

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