With unemployment at a 26-year high as the grinding downturn wears on, many people are being forced into job changes─if they're lucky enough to find new jobs. But for those still employed and managing their careers, there's a perennial¹ question: How often should you change jobs?

During the recent boom, it was common to hear advice that frequent jobs changes were the way to take advantage of the fast-moving economy, maximize personal opportunities and use leverage³ to get pay raises. Long over were the days of professional loyalty⁴ employees to employers, and vice² versa when people clocked life-long careers at the same company. The career adviser⁵ and blogger Penelope Trunk, for example, counseled her readers in 2007 that 'staying in one job forever is today's recipe for career suicide.'

'At the beginning of one's career, it is nearly impossible to find something right without trying a bunch of options,' Ms. Trunk wrote. 'After that, you will experience more personal growth from changing jobs frequently than staying in one job for extended periods of time. And if you change jobs frequently you build an adaptable⁶ skill set and a wide network which are the keys to being able to find a job whenever you need to.'

All of that advice might well remain apt today, but the recession has changed the calculus⁷ for many workers. Alison Green, a staffing manager at a nonprofit, wrote earlier this year in a guest post on a U.S. News & World Report blog that a clear-eyed assessment⁸ of the possible downsides is crucial in changing jobs in this environment.

'Obviously, it would be silly to say people should never change jobs in a bad economy,' Ms. Green wrote. 'Maybe you can find your dream job, or a way out of a career sinkhole, or a financial windfall. But if there was ever a time to proceed with some extra caution and not leap rashly, it's now.'

Indeed, in more recent advice on her blog, Penelope Trunk answers the question 'How can I change careers without taking a pay cut?' this way: 'You cannot change careers without taking a pay cut. It is childish to ask this question. So stop asking it. Instead, live below your means so you are not a slave to your career choice.'

Ultimately, as with so many aspects of the juggle⁹, it's all about determining what works best for you. For my part, I've worked here at the Journal for about nine years, albeit¹⁰ in three different positions. In that time, my wife has had five stints¹¹ at four organizations. While no situation is perfect, we're both fulfilled and growing professionally.

What's your take on the right pace of job or career changes? Have your views changed with the downturn? How often have you switched positions, either within the same company or at different employers?

难挨的经济低迷仍在继续，失业率达到26年高点，在这种情况下，许多人被迫换工作──如果他们够幸运能找到新工作的话。但对于仍然在职、规划自己职业生涯的人来说，有一个问题历久弥新：多久该换工作？

不久前经济繁荣的时候，常常会听到这样的建议，认为频繁跳槽可以从快速发展的经济中得到好处，实现个人机会最大化，并借以实现加薪。员工对雇主忠心耿耿、一辈子待在同一家公司的时代早已过去，反过来也是一样。举例来说，就业咨询师兼博客作者特伦克(Penelope Trunk)在2007年就给读者提出了忠告：一辈子只干一个工作如今就等于断送自己的职业生涯。

特伦克写道，一个人开始职业生涯时，如果不尝试多种选择，几乎不可能找到适合自己的工作。在那之后，比起长时间干同一个工作，你在频繁跳槽之中会实现更多的个人成长。而如果频繁跳槽，你就能培养适应能力，建立广泛的社会关系，无论你什么时候需要找工作，这些都是最重要的。

上述建议现在可能依然适用，但衰退改变了许多人的小算盘。在一家非营利机构任招聘经理的格林(Alison Green)今年早些时候在《美国新闻与世界报导》(U.S. News & World Report)杂志的一篇客座博客文章中写道，在当前形势下跳槽，对可能的不利方面进行清晰的评估至关重要。

格林写道，显然，如果说人们在经济形势不佳的时候绝对不该换工作，这就太愚蠢了。或许，你可以找到自己的梦想工作，找到一条摆脱职业困境的出路，或是在薪酬上有意外的收获。不过现在正是最应该格外小心行事，而不是冒进的时候。

实际上，特伦克最近在博客中提出建议，她回答了这样一个问题：我如何才能在不减薪的情况下跳槽？她的回答是：你无法既跳槽又不减薪。问这样的问题太幼稚了。所以，别再问这样的问题了。相反，量入为出，这样你就不会成为自己职业选择的奴隶。

总之，跟忙里忙外的很多方面一样，最关键的是要确定对你自己最适合的。对我来说，我已经在《华尔街日报》工作了九年左右，不过是在三个不同的岗位。期间，我太太在四个机构担任过五个职位。尽管任何事都不是完美的，但我们两个都感到很有成就感，在职业上也有进步。

你认为跳槽的合理频率是多少呢？你的看法有没有随着经济低迷而改变？你变换岗位的频率有多高，包括在同一家公司和不同的公司？