Are you a job-hopper or a long-termer? In the past, floating from job to job used to be a black mark on your CV, as employers often saw it as a sign of ‘disloyalty’.
Things have changed over the years, with younger workers and professionals job-hopping more frequently than previous generations. The modern employment landscape has shifted dramatically, with career mobility now often seen as a strategic move for skill development and salary advancement.
But while it is common these days, keep in mind that switching jobs too often may impact your ability to achieve certain financial goals … Like getting a mortgage.
Are Kiwi’s ‘job-hoppers’?
The New Zealand employment landscape in 2025 presents an interesting paradox. While the unemployment rate sits at 5.1%, the highest level since 2020, the job market has become intensely competitive. Job applications have surged by 49% compared to the previous year, while job creation has declined by 17% in 2024. This creates a challenging environment where career moves require more careful consideration than ever before.
Despite these challenges, skilled professionals continue to move between roles, particularly in high-demand sectors such as information technology, engineering, healthcare, and construction. However, the frequency and circumstances of these moves can have significant implications for your mortgage prospects.
Your job history matters
When assessing your home loan application, your job history is one of the elements that lenders take into account, particularly the stability of your employment. Lenders view your steady income as a plus – proof that you’re able to keep up with payments – whereas frequent job changes may indicate that you’re a ‘riskier applicant’ and reduce your chances of getting over the line.
Lenders will assess the context of the job-hopping and some career moves are viewed more favourably than others:
- Career progression within the same industry – Moving to a higher position or better opportunity within your field typically demonstrates ambition and increasing earning potential.
- Unavoidable circumstances – Redundancy, company closure, or restructuring are understood as beyond your control.
- Contract or seasonal work – If you work in industries with contract-based employment, lenders may assess your history differently, looking at your overall work pattern rather than individual role durations.
- Strategic career development – Moving for significant salary increases or skill development can be viewed positively, especially if you can demonstrate stability in your new role.
Job-hopping can affect your mortgage application but as Mortgage Advisers, we can help you foresee any extra hoops you may have to jump through in order to create a strong application. Here are some examples:
- Verifying your income may be more complex – Lenders want to see consistent income streams. If you’ve recently changed jobs, you may need to provide additional documentation, such as a letter from your employer confirming your position, salary, and job security.
- Probationary periods pose challenges – Many New Zealand employers have 90-day trial periods or longer probationary periods. Banks may be hesitant to approve mortgages if you’re still within this timeframe, as your employment isn’t yet fully secure.
- Self-employment transitions – Moving from employment to self-employment (or vice versa) typically requires you to demonstrate at least one to two years of financial history in your new situation before lenders will feel confident in your application.
How a Mortgage Adviser can help
In today’s competitive and complex lending environment, working with a Mortgage Adviser can be particularly beneficial. They can:
- Assess your specific situation and employment history
- Identify which lenders are most likely to approve your application
- Help you understand what additional documentation you might need
- Provide strategies to strengthen your application if your employment history is varied.
Banks have different criteria and risk appetites, and these can change based on broader economic conditions. Our Mortgage Advisers stay up-to-date with these shifts and can advocate on your behalf, presenting your application in the strongest possible light.
In a nutshell, when making the decision to change careers frequently, it’s important to balance the pros and cons. Obviously, job-hopping can be the key to improving your skills and getting a salary boost, and there’s nothing wrong with that. As long as you’re clear about your priorities and what you’re hoping to gain, the long-term benefits can be considerable. Having an appropriate level of planning will help you make sure you’re not getting caught in the ‘job-hopping cycle’.
Come and talk to us
If you’re wondering how your employment history might affect your mortgage prospects, come and talk to one of our Mortgage Advisers. They can help provide clarity, review your specific circumstances, help you understand where you stand with different lenders, and guide you on the best path forward.
