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Original poster

What's the longest you've stayed in a job?

103 replies

Blackcat555 · 05/02/2025 18:21

I'm in my mid 30s, and apart from a 5-year job prior to and during uni, I've never stayed in a job for more than 2.5 years, average is 18 months. I have mostly moved for valid reasons, which were relocation, fixed term role, left to do my PGCE, left on promotion/higher wage etc.

Once or twice I've left as I was being bullied at the organisation and wasn't possible to move teams/organisation was very cliquey and I didn't fit in.

I'm at a point now where I just want to get established in something and stay in for at least a few years and work my way up.

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gingercat02 · 05/02/2025 22:13

3678194b · 05/02/2025 21:54

21 years in the same post, 25 years same organisation, NHS though and it's not uncommon for people to stay in the same post for decades!

Not about you, as I have no idea, but that is THE biggest issue in the NHS!

maddening · 05/02/2025 22:12

11.5 years with first employer out of uni, next employer was 5 years and current employer coming up to 7 years.

Not in same role - for each employer have had role changes and promotions

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 05/02/2025 22:01

20 years with the same employer.
6 jobs
Shortest for 9 months
Longest for 10 years

Itsjustnotthevibe · 05/02/2025 22:01

17 years at my current place! I have been promoted in that time though. I have never not enjoyed working there, if that was to change I would definitely leave.

3678194b · 05/02/2025 21:54

21 years in the same post, 25 years same organisation, NHS though and it's not uncommon for people to stay in the same post for decades!

SwordToFlamethrower · 05/02/2025 21:48

4 years. I was hounded out by misogynists after I had a baby.

Typically I lasted between 4 months and 2 years.

Late diagnosed autism and adhd.

Marylou2 · 05/02/2025 21:46

23 years with my current company. Surrounded, at 56, by 20 somethings. So miserable, disillusioned and terrified to look for another job even though I have good skills and experience. You're still young and have time to find a job that suits you.

Justmemyselfandi999 · 05/02/2025 21:41

28 years so far

KaylaLS · 05/02/2025 21:41

35 years!

Although I have had various roles my contract is unbroken from being a newly qualified teacher.

Shubbypubby · 05/02/2025 21:38

Mid 40s, been with my employer (civil service dept) for over 20 years but at different sites and in different depts.

Lulu1919 · 05/02/2025 21:31

I'm in the 20th year of my job

AcquadiP · 05/02/2025 21:16

9 years but the company then went into liquidation. I've been with my current company for 5 years and have no plans to change jobs. I enjoy being 'part of the furniture!'

TheyCallMeMrsBug · 05/02/2025 21:15

21 years in the same company, slowly worked my way up to a decent position.

Toddlerteaplease · 05/02/2025 21:13

21 years. 19 on the same ward. Love it!

Smellz714 · 05/02/2025 21:06

I'm 40, same job 22 years this year. In hospitality, want to start something else in a new industry but feel trapped for various reasons. I'll probably always regret not fulfilling my potential career wise.

MarchInHappiness · 05/02/2025 20:51

13 years but left recently because the company was about to go under. It was a stable and easy job for a long time and I was a single mum so stayed put but it got quite mundane. In a new job, loving the new challenge.

Papyrophile · 05/02/2025 20:44

Self-employment is the only route after creative/agency/consultancy work. My project-based work only lasted 4 months at a time, but I worked for the same people in different companies for three or four year cycles.

MagentaRocks · 05/02/2025 20:42

35 years in the same organisation. 1st job there 4.5 years, next job 20 years, moved dept and was promoted there within 18 months

BumpandBounce · 05/02/2025 20:38

12 years at Aviva from age 23 to 35.
Then retrained in law.
Been at my current firm since 2013. Handed my resignation last week to move to a new firm.

TerroristToddler · 05/02/2025 20:36

Current role 13 years. Lawyer

Joined junior and unqualified fresh out of law school. Several promotions and have qualified in that time too and whilst still in the same team I have had various roles.

I do worry sometimes that I should have moved employers more and it might look bad that I "settled" too much or shows I'm not up for new challenges (even though I've done different roles within the same employer so I know I'm adaptable)

MissAmbrosia · 05/02/2025 20:36

Feckedupbundle · 05/02/2025 20:29

25 years,so far,as a self employed person. Previously when I was employed,about 10 years.
I've had loads of jobs,as started work at 16 and only have one week out of work in 40 years.

In my near 37 years of work, I was unemployed (as in signed on) for 2 weeks, had 6 months maternity leave, then was technically not working for about 6 weeks when we first moved abroad and i found a job. In Belgium I can retire at 63 as I will have done the requisite 42 years! Obviously can't get the british part of my pension then though.

PissedOffNeighbour22 · 05/02/2025 20:36

Worked for current employer 21 years. Enjoy it less and less each year.

DuvetsCovered · 05/02/2025 20:35

I'm always surprised by how short some stints are on CVs and LinkedIn.

I've had fairly long stretches but after 2 years in any job I always get bored, although it can then take me several years to find the right next move.

WearyAuldWumman · 05/02/2025 20:35

I was a teacher. Was in my first school 3 years; my second for 13 - got a promotion along the way. Was PT/HoD and then Faculty Head in my last school for a total of 18 years.

namechangeGOT · 05/02/2025 20:35

I'm 41.

First job - 2 years
Second Job - 12 years
Current Job - 9 years