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Original poster

How long do you tend to stay in a job for?

110 replies

Rainydays55 · 19/01/2022 18:45

People seem to change job more often nowadays, it’s no longer that you stay in a job for years, how often do you tend to stay in a job? Do you think it’s good to change/ keep it fresh?

OP posts:
draramallama · 19/01/2022 20:11

Work in a sector where it takes a year to get up to speed as a newbie, two years to start achieving things.

When we see CVs for people who've jumped ship every 2-3 years we assume it's because they're not very good and moving on every time they get found out. Whereas in other sectors I know the perception of that work history would be very different.

Generally though I think there's value to staying put for longer and building up organisation knowledge & relationships and also value to moving around for new challenges. It just depends on the individual and what's right for their life and personality.

BobBobbity · 19/01/2022 20:14

3 years average per role earlier in my career. 9 years in my current role but that covers 2 x maternity leaves and I wanted more stability. I’m on the hunt for a new role now children are at school!

mogsrus · 19/01/2022 20:14

Longest job 20yrs I’m in my final job now, a t m I t it’s been 10yrs. First job after school 3yrs but I’ve loved every one of them

Badhairday101 · 19/01/2022 20:17

At the beginning of my career it was every 3 years, I’d start to feel bored and ready for a new challenge.
I’ve been my current job for 6 years and still love it so no plans to move. There have been lots of opportunities for progression and it’s actively encouraged so that has really helped me to feel fulfilled.

ItsCoachBombay · 19/01/2022 20:20

Building up to where I am now every 2ish years I would change.

My new Job that I started latter part of 2021 however I'd now like to stay here and on this management position or work my way up.

I'm 32 now so this is my pension building job as the pay is above the average in my area, it's flexible, rewarding and the organisation has a really nice feel and vibe, very pro women, very understanding of challenges women face through all parts of their life from young children to caring for elderly relatives and everything in-between. The CEO is a wonderful person and cares for the staff and that ethos is everywhere.

I could stay here for the next 20ish years, and finally feel like I've found my career and found my employer.

DontKeepTheFaith · 19/01/2022 20:21

When I was young, I moved jobs all the time. Was just part time, agency work and nursing homes so moved regularly as most were awful.

I’m NHS now, seems to be the norm to move after a couple of years but not for me.
I worked at the last hospital for 17 years, did move wards but with the same team which obviously evolved. Did get a bit stuck because of children, childcare and anxiety about interviews. Did eventually progress to Band 6.

Current job, have been in for 4 years as a charge nurse and have just got Ward Managers job to start soon on same ward. I will probably stay until I step back and reduce my hours, do bank or something. Maybe in about 10 years.

I don’t like change and don't feel for me there is much to gain by keep moving jobs.

blahblahx · 19/01/2022 20:23

I always try and stay as long as I can, however, since the pandemic started in 2020 I've been temping so I've stayed in roles for a max of 8 months to a minimum of 1 month depending on where I'm placed. It's helped build up my CV and I've gained different skills because of this.

After my SMP leave I would like to go back into perm work though.

MolkosAshtrayHeart · 19/01/2022 20:26

I’m a teacher, I’ve been in my current school 6 years, no plans to leave yet but feel I might be past the halfway mark. Before this I taught at my last school for 2 years and that was my first teaching job out of uni. I left because I wanted to move house out of area otherwise I probably would have stayed longer.

tokyo1 · 19/01/2022 20:31

My last job (and first) I was there 9 years. Now I'm at my current place and have been here a few years and have no plan to change. Even though I've thought about it recently. I'm quite comfortable where I am though. Whereas my sibling changes job almost yearly.

RuthW · 19/01/2022 20:34

I've had three jobs.

First one 3 years.

Second one 3 years

Third one 31 years so far.

Original poster
Rainydays55 · 19/01/2022 20:41

It’s interesting to see a mix of answers! What have been the factors behind deciding when it’s time for a change?

OP posts:
vickyc90 · 19/01/2022 20:48

Before and during uni (service sector jobs) - 6 months ish
1st job out of uni - 9 months
2nd job out of uni - been there 8 nearly 9 years had two roles (1st promotion 3 years after starting).
My next move will be a very long term role that might even see me to retirement (37 years away). Depending what comes up it might be in the same company.

Oblomov22 · 19/01/2022 21:10

I normally stay 10+ years in most jobs.

macshoto · 19/01/2022 21:10

Different roles, countries etc. but 28 years with one umbrella employer. Ever since I was a graduate.

Icequeen01 · 19/01/2022 23:42

I am 60 and have only had 4 jobs and I've worked full time since I was 18. My first job was for 6 years, my second job was 26 years, my third was 9 months (hated that job) and I've been in my current role for 8 years. I hate change!

Enzbear · 19/01/2022 23:48

9 years is the longest I left to start a small business which I've been doing for 8 1/2 years.
I'll be retiring after this.

VonHaus · 19/01/2022 23:48

Current job for the four years. Last job also for four years, and the one before that was - four years. I’m starting to see a pattern! Smile

Motheranddaughtertotwo · 19/01/2022 23:55

Usually until I hate working there. Usually between 3 and 10 years.

Reallycantbesarsed · 20/01/2022 00:03

My husband retires very soon…same job after45 years…has been of sick once !

Oblomov22 · 20/01/2022 05:51

This thread has mostly people who have been in jobs a long time.

The pp whi says she reviews CV's : "Equally, a decade in one role would make me ask questions too! ", wouldn't like this, would she?

TinyW · 20/01/2022 05:58

Longest 14 years which I’m glad I did as it had a final salary pension which will give me around £14k in retirement.

Shortest 3 years.

Current one - 9 years. I’m beginning to get itchy feet a bit though and was thinking of one last big pay day before I retire. This one takes me for granted a bit.

popples19 · 20/01/2022 06:06

At the moment around 2-3 years. Usually boredom with no progression. Hoping to settle into a nice 10 plus year job soon.

justustwoandmoo · 20/01/2022 06:22

I stayed in my first organisation for 17 years. Moved around a bit in that time though. It was the type of place that you could get v comfortable in and fear making any sort of moves to leave. I got totally stuck there.

Then I was in a meeting where I once again just totally disagreed with what the Head of Department was saying around the direction the organisation was going. Decided there and then to hand in my notice. Lol! I freelanced for a year and then got a permanent role. Stayed with them for the last 2.5 years and now start a new job on Monday.

I think it's important to do what is best for you but for me breaking out of my comfort zone was the best thing I ever did x

AnxiousPixie · 20/01/2022 06:31

Was with my last company for 13 years but did four jobs within it in that time. New company for four years, second job so far. The company I'm in now is massive and it's perfectly normal to move every three years or so. I think moving companies every few years can look a bit bad on the CV but it depends why you are moving. I don't think it's really thing anymore to stay with the same one for so long.

Haybo26 · 20/01/2022 06:32

Currently on 22 years in Civil Service.