‘Stop shaming Gen Z for job-hopping’: Anupam Mittal’s advice to young professionals divides opinion on LinkedIn

Anupam Mittal has stirred a lively conversation online after pushing back against the growing criticism aimed at Gen Z professionals for switching jobs early in their careers. In a widely shared LinkedIn post, the entrepreneur and Shark Tank India judge argued that job-hopping, when done at the right stage, is less about disloyalty and more about self-awareness.

Mittal, who founded Shaadi.com and leads the People Group, challenged what he described as “lazy career shaming” by senior professionals and so-called gurus. He pointed out that expecting clarity and long-term commitment from workers in their early twenties ignores the reality of how careers actually evolve today. According to him, the first few working years are meant for experimentation, not premature settling.




He likened the process to dating rather than marriage, suggesting that young professionals are still figuring out which industries, roles and workplace cultures suit them best. If a role feels wrong, he said, leaving should not be treated as a failure. Instead, it should be recognised as part of learning what does and does not work.





Mittal argued that frequent switches early on often help individuals identify their strengths faster. Exposure to different environments builds perspective, sharpens judgement and reduces the risk of staying stuck in roles chosen out of fear rather than fit. He stressed that guilt has no place in this exploratory phase, especially when expectations and ambitions are still forming.

However, his advice came with a clear caveat. While exploration is healthy at the start, it cannot become a permanent strategy. Mittal warned that endless movement eventually raises red flags, particularly when professionals begin aiming for leadership roles.



Drawing from his own hiring experience, he revealed that CVs without at least one sustained four to five year stint rarely make it through for senior positions. Depth, he explained, is built by staying long enough to see the consequences of decisions, not just the excitement of starting something new.

Mittal also shared a practical timeline for young professionals. He suggested exploring aggressively between the ages of 21 and 24, followed by committing to a role or organisation for a minimum of four years after 25. This balance, he believes, allows curiosity without sacrificing credibility.



In the latter part of his post, Mittal emphasised that leadership demands resilience. Staying through difficult phases, cleaning up earlier mistakes and scaling what works are experiences that cannot be gained in short bursts. Understanding a job may take a year, he noted, but understanding an industry takes much longer.

The post resonated strongly with LinkedIn users, many of whom shared personal stories echoing his views. Several praised the nuance of acknowledging both exploration and commitment, while others added that side projects and parallel learning can also accelerate clarity.



As career paths become less linear and workplace expectations continue to shift, Mittal’s message struck a chord for its balance. Rather than glorifying job-hopping or condemning it outright, he reframed it as a phase to be used wisely. His closing message was simple but pointed: explore freely when you are young, but once you find your fit, stay long enough to truly grow.