Anupam Mittal Champions Gen Z's Right to Explore Careers Through Job Switching
In a thought-provoking LinkedIn post that has sparked widespread discussion, Shark Tank India judge and Shaadi.com founder Anupam Mittal has called for an end to the shaming of Generation Z professionals who switch jobs frequently during their early career years. Mittal, a respected entrepreneur and investor, argues that this period should be viewed as essential exploration rather than a sign of instability.
Early Career Exploration vs. Long-Term Commitment
Mittal directly challenged what he called "career gurus" who criticize 22-year-olds for changing jobs annually. "I see a lot of career gurus shaming 22-year-olds for switching jobs every year. But isn't that exactly what the youth should be doing?" he wrote in his viral post. He described young professionals as essentially "dating industries, roles and cultures to find what vibes" with their personal and professional aspirations.
The entrepreneur emphasized that the early twenties represent a crucial discovery phase where individuals should feel empowered to explore different opportunities without guilt or judgment. "If you're not feeling it, move. Don't feel bad about it. This is the time to explore," Mittal advised young professionals navigating their career paths.
A Structured Career Growth Strategy
Beyond defending job switching, Mittal proposed a clear, two-phase strategy for sustainable career development:
- Ages 21-24: Explore aggressively, switch jobs if necessary, and discover genuine passions
- Age 25+: Commit to a company for at least four years to build depth and resilience
Mittal explained that this structured approach allows professionals to first identify their true calling before developing the expertise and experience necessary for long-term success. "Once you find that path, you have to stop bouncing and start consolidating," he noted, highlighting the importance of transitioning from exploration to commitment.
The Importance of Long-Term Stints for Leadership Roles
The entrepreneur revealed his personal hiring philosophy, stating that when recruiting for senior leadership positions, he "almost always rejects a resume that doesn't have at least one 4-5 year stint." This preference stems from his belief that shorter tenures prevent professionals from experiencing the complete cycle of responsibility and consequences.
"Year 1 you're learning, Year 2 you're executing, Year 3 you're dealing with the mess in Year 2 and scaling the wins," Mittal elaborated, describing the natural progression of professional growth within an organization. He argued that this multi-year journey provides invaluable insights that cannot be gained through brief employment periods.
Founder and CEO Aspirations Require Proven Resilience
Mittal particularly emphasized the importance of sustained commitment for those aspiring to leadership positions. "If you want to be a Founder or a CEO, you need to prove you can stay in the kitchen when it gets hot," he stated, using a powerful metaphor to describe the challenges of leadership roles.
The entrepreneur further distinguished between understanding a specific job versus comprehending an entire industry. "It takes a year to understand a job, but 3-5 years to truly understand an industry—that's when you win," Mittal concluded, highlighting the deeper knowledge and perspective gained through extended industry immersion.
Mittal's perspective offers a nuanced approach to career development that validates Gen Z's exploratory tendencies while providing clear guidance for transitioning to more stable, committed career phases as professionals mature.
