Unable to stick to a job more than 5 years

This is my 4th year in current role and I'm 50. It's the longest I've ever worked anywhere. After three years I'm usually looking to move on.

Doesn't seem wrong to me.

It's failed directors and CEOs moving about that concerns me. Adam Crozier failed at the FA, then at the Royal Mail/Post Office, then was not much at ITV (notice he is not mentioned much in Mr Bates v the Post Office), for example.

I'd say 3-5 years is about the right amount of time to stay with a company. Long enough not to be a job hopper but not so long as to stagnate.

I get bored after 2 years. If there are no progression opportunities or the work environment is toxic or bad for my mental health, I will move on. Nothing wrong with sidestepping in your career and I think the variety is good for you. It’s not healthy to stay at the same place year in year out unless you are developing or progressing into new positions which can keep things fresh and challenging.

You sound fine to me OP, doing several years then making a constructive move. That isn't flitting around, it's normal and sensible. Obviously nobody needs to know on your applications that being a bit bored was part of the motivation but that's totally normal too! I was public sector before retraining but only did a few years' stints then promotion or strategic move.

Why not see how this one goes and if you start getting itchy feet again look at what's available then rather than worrying about whether you need to this being 'it' now or not? You don't.

You're in a good position. Enjoy and see how it pans out. If the company are talking about long term there may be opportunities to explore internally so that may be something to look out for, extra training, projects etc.

I think this is quite normal nowadays. In my line of work it's about 18 months average turnover - I've been in my role over double that and am literally one of the last ones standing as the entire team has changed around me! Moving sideways often means better renumeration and renewed appreciation. If you stay stagnant at anything less than a really good employer you can end up just being taken for granted and seen as part of the furniture, whilst new hires in parallel roles are being hired with much better conditions and renumeration.

I’m with you, longest I managed was six years but the rest were all less than four. As it’s a large company is there any scope to move internally to keep the continuous service and any pension / share bonuses if there are any? I managed a pretty sharp internal move in my last place which kept me at the same company for almost eight years

What's your AIBU? Isn't this normal, it's not like you're moving every 5 months. A lot of young people would think 5 years is ages to be in the same job

Like others, I feel like that's a very normal length of time, especially if we're talking about staying in exactly the same job and not just the same organisation. I've been with my employer for nearly 6 years, my current job for about 3 and I'm definitely starting to feel that I need something new.

I’m a bit like that. Did stay at my last place for about ten years because it was quite flexible whilst my daughter was little. Done four years at my current place and it’s time to go. Late 50s now though, so not sure who’ll want me!!

I’d don’t think staying somewhere for 30 years is very impressive.

Completely normal!

The longest I have been in a job is 4.5 years.

Usually I leave a job to get a promotion/a better salary. Or when the atmosphere is toxic.

I am 2.5 years in my current job and I will be looking for something else after the summer because this is not a job I could see myself doing into retirement. I don't trust the company or my manager to have my best interest at heart...

Employers show little loyalty to staff these days so ultimately you have to put. your own interest first.

YABU What's wrong with that? Is that not not completely normal/ average?

Try feeling like that after 6 months! (Thanks adhd)

Really you're fine

This is a non issue.

Yeah sure our grandparents always banged on about how it looked better on our “personal file” to be somewhere for 10,000 years+ - but not anymore.

In my industry people would probably question someone in the same role for 6 years or more. By all means move around the same business in different roles but don’t sit there and stagnate in the exact same role for years and years ☺️

I personally benefit from changing role every 3 years.

I'm the same, I just get bored! It's also good to change so you learn new skills each time. I couldn't imagine being in the same job fo 20 years. Ugh.

There's nothing wrong with you. 5 years is plenty.

Nothing is wrong with you. The working world has changed and it's increasingly rare to stay in a job for long stretches- many would already count five years as long. Switching every 2-3 years is common in many private sector industries. Besides anything else, it's generally the only way to get an above-inflation pay rise.

Well I guess this shows you are
good at interviews! Maybe you just get bored easily.

Totally agree, 2-3 years I start getting itchy feet and bored. But I also have a history of contracting so am used to getting there, getting stuck in and moving on. I am 3 years at my current job and going for promotion at the moment, if I don't get it I will see the year out for bonus and an exciting event we have coming, then start making efforts to move on.