Ask a Career Advisor: What Is Job Hugging?

Goodbye, job hopping. Hello, job hugging.

Yes, you read that right – the latest career buzzword to hit headlines might sound cute and a little silly, but it’s a real phenomenon happening right now in the cooling job market with a quits rate that remains low.

So, what is job hugging, and is it good or bad for your career?

We asked Lori Cole, Certified Career Coach and Advisor at iHire, for her thoughts on this latest buzzword.

Job Hugging Definition

“Job hugging has been defined as clinging tightly to the job you have right now, even if it’s not the job you really want,” Cole said. “It’s like taking ‘The Great Stay’ to a new level with more fear and desperation.”

People may be job hugging because they don’t think they’ll easily find another opportunity, or even if they are able to change jobs, fear the unknown too greatly to take the risk.

“When things are so uncertain, it’s perfectly understandable to want to hold on to a steady paycheck and the work norms you’re familiar with,” Cole continued.

Is Job Hugging a Bad Thing?

Job hugging sounds like a safe choice in this market, but could it harm your career?

“If you enjoy your job, hug away! Contributing to and growing with a company over the long term will always look good on your resume,” continued Cole. “Even if you’re just moderately satisfied with your job, it could be the right move to stay put for now. But, as with any major life decision, it’s important to carefully weigh the pros and cons.”

Job hugging could hinder your career growth if there’s not a clear path for advancement with your current employer. You also may miss out on opportunities to learn new skills, diversify your experience, broaden your professional network, and stay ahead of market shifts.

And if you’re truly unhappy, feelings of resentment can creep in and negatively impact your performance and work relationships.

“Ideally, your work should be something that brings you purpose and fulfillment, on top of a paycheck and benefits,” Cole added.

However, waiting to quit – or holding on to that hug – until you have a new opportunity lined up is wise if you can do so.

“The way I see it, you can be a job hugger and still search and apply for new opportunities, even if cautiously,” Cole said. “It’s almost always better to search for a job while you already have one, and you can use your current job as a point of comparison when you get an offer. Stay subscribed to those job alerts!”

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