What is the maximum number of jobs lawyers should have in their career?

Q: What is the maximum number of jobs lawyers should have in their career? I have changed jobs 4 times and wonder if potential employers will begin to see me as a “job hopper”?

A: If you are five years or fewer out of law school, it may well be something you’re asked about in an interviewer; just explain the reason for each move calmly (e.g., for more responsibility, more money, broader experience). In your cover letter, you may even refer to those reasons, then identify what draws you about the next role. If you are more senior, people won’t question it as much, unless one or more of the jobs only lasted a number of months. Otherwise, it’s commonly said that people will have seven or more jobs over the course of their career, and not only is there no hard and fast maximum, if there were you would be well under it. Even if some people in interviews ask why you’re a “job hopper,” take the question in stride, discuss your career, and hopefully, they will be convinced about your value and glad you are on the market, so they can make you an offer.