What are peoples thoughts on leap-frogging across companies to move up the ladder. I have moved between different companies (including the same one twice) several times spending on average <24 months at each. The reason for this is that pay rises were easier and certainly quicker to acheive by going externally than having to do all the hard graft of getting promoted internally.If rapid promotion is not available internally then why not move on to another firm that will pay what you feel you are worth?My argument is keep on leap-frogging until you get caught out. I consider my best strength to be how I present myself in interviews and as such feel confident that I could sell the work/moves I&apos;ve made and thus why not keep doing it.Interested to hear what people think though.

I&apos;ve indulged in similar tactics and reaped considerable salary hikes. Main drawback is getting termed a serial hopper and employers getting suspicious of your lack of committment and staying power. You need to strike a good balance and try not to establish an obvious pattern of job hopping.

In a sluggish market / a buyers&apos; market I would caution that being seen as a serial job-changer is perceived very negatively by employers. In a market where firms are struggling to make the hires they need (which is today&apos;s market in certain practice areas) then this is likely to be glossed over.I&apos;ve written elsewhere that changing jobs is certainly the most likely route to securing a remuneration rise in the current climate, so the above is just a cautionary note. I would also say that when it comes time for you to want to move out of consulting into industry, this job-hopping trait may also not be well regarded - so probably best to find a more long term home in consulting in the years leading up to you making that switch...Tony RestellTop-Consultant.com

Will consulting employers show you loyalty if demand suddenly slumps in your practice area, or will that be your employment brought to an abrupt halt?? Almost certainly the latter - so you should feel no angst about moving on either