29/04/2025
Why Changing Jobs Doesn’t Always Lead to Long-Term Happiness (And What Does)
Ever heard of the hedonic treadmill?
It’s a psychological concept that explains how humans quickly return to a relatively stable level of happiness despite major positive or negative life changes. You land your dream job, get a raise, move to a bigger house… and after a short burst of excitement, you're back to baseline.
This hedonic adaptation shows up everywhere—including recruitment.
Every week, I speak to professionals chasing something new: more money, better culture, work-life balance, recognition. But here’s the catch—many of them aren’t unhappy with their current jobs because of the job itself. They're just no longer getting that hit of happiness they once did. They've adapted.
As recruiters, we need to look beyond the surface-level motivations. The key isn't just finding people a new job—it’s helping them find sustainable satisfaction. That might mean a role that offers growth, autonomy, or alignment with their deeper values—not just more cash or a new job title.
And if you’re thinking of changing jobs right now, ask yourself: Am I running towards something truly better—or just trying to outrun adaptation?
