Moving jobs every couple of years?

[girlfriend44]

Do you think moving around jobs every few years because you get bored is normal?
Sil does this?
I suppose it must be right for her. She has had lots of jobs says she gets bored? Do you do it, or do you think it's best to stay in a job for as long as you can?

I think moving jobs is fine, not necessarily organisation. Surely you want to get promoted etc?

Depends on the industry I guess, for development I've found payrises and moving up the ladder works best moving companies every couple of years, easier to get a higher grade job switching then to wait for an internal promotion

I've moved jobs 5 times in 10 years. I've also had 5 promotions, so not a coincidence! In my line of work you either stay for a long time to prove your loyalty (what I call the 'dead man's boots' model) or you move to get ahead. Sitting in one company waiting for how good I am to be noticed is really not for me

Perhaps she is just ambitious?

Either promotion or nee job every few years.
I’m driven and want to progress the nature of my role means it’s not one you’d do for years and years in the same place as you’d get skill fade

i think it depends on the job and the person but there is no right or wrong for anyone

My colleagues in the UK tell me that the only way to increase your income is by moving jobs, roughly every 18 months.

I mean, moving employer that often is a good way to make sure none of your mistakes or shortcomings ever catch up with you. Which is why some people do it, but I get that some people have other reasons.

Most people in my sector change jobs every couple of years, it's the fastest way to progress. In 15 years of working the longest job I've had is 3 years, most have been nearer to 2. Mostly for progression but tbh I do get bored pretty quickly too, theyre strategic moves though.

When I used to work for others I'd move on anywhere from 3 months to 2 years as I did project based work.
Quickest way to earn more money, get promotions, more experience.

I don't know why anyone would want to stay at one company for years and years these days.

Depends on the industry
I’ve worked at the same place for 23 years but have changed job role and responsibilities 8 times
I can’t get any higher so would have to move if I want to earn more

It depends on the industry - in PR for example most people don't stay at the same company for more than 12 months ime

In some industries it's expected. Anything longer than 2 years in tech without a significant promotion means you look stale and unambitious. People can job hop here after 6 months and it's considered normal. You move on to better, brighter projects and a big salary boost each time.

I think it’s pretty common - I’m leaving my job soon after 2 years 2 months. In charity sector it’s often the only way to progress

I’ve been in the same organisation 8 years. In that time I’ve done 5 jobs and had 3 promotions. Would definitely get bored doing the same thing year on year!

My career plan is structured around getting a promotion every 2.5 years, either internally or through moving to another organisation. It’s worked extremely well for me and has allowed me to climb the ladder considerably more quickly than I might have otherwise.

I’m not understanding why you feel staying in one job as long as possible is a good thing? There’s nothing wrong with it, if that’s what you want, but I’m certainly not seeing how it’s ‘best’. What for?

I move every few years for more money or a better job or if there’s no further progression in current company.
surely that’s Better than someone who had just been in same job for years and done nothing to progress.

That's how you progress and increase salary.

I've had some jobs a year, some 4, it averages at moving every two years. I think it's totally normal to get what I want from the workplace.

Agree: I’ve done a mix of short (6 months) & longer (8 years) stints over 20 years of FT permanent jobs: moving has always been the thing that increases salary

In terms of job hunting, internal progression/promotion always looks best but not everyone can get it. Moving companies is definitely a quicker way to move up … also companies change. After 5 years it might be quite different in culture, workload, people etc to the company you joined

I’m not understanding why you feel staying in one job as long as possible is a good thing? There’s nothing wrong with it, if that’s what you want, but I’m certainly not seeing how it’s ‘best’. What for?

The main advantage of staying somewhere for a long term is better job protection eg in most places full sick pay is only applicable after a year, or statutory redundancy after 2 years, last one in, first one out et.

I think this may really depend on the nature of your work/career, then. I’ve never worked anywhere where sick pay wasn’t available upon employment. And I don’t need job protection, as I can always get another job. I'd much rather have the career progression and substantial salary hike that comes with moving than any of the things you’ve listed.

So, different strokes for different folks, I suppose.

I think it depends on your sector. In the area I work in temporary contracts are pretty common due to funding so people move a lot. It also can look well on a cv because it allows me to gain loads of experience in different areas across my field. I think lots of sideways or 'backwards' moves can look bad depending on the sector but if they're better paid/ better hours/ more secure contract/ offers better training or experience then I don't think it would matter. Only time I've really thought about length of time in a post was when I was considering ttc and what my maternity would be.

Totally normal. You find a better job you Jack the one you’re in and go do the other one. I think my youngest brothers got a new job every few months

This is normal, many people move jobs regularly.

A former manager of mine does that. He talks a good game at interview (other people's achievements), but is useless, lazy, uninterested, and out of his depth when he gets a job.

At just over a year he will be expected to know what he's doing, but he never does. When he realises the "honeymoon period" of goodwill is wearing very thin he suddenly takes a few days "sick" here and there, then next thing you know he's resigned for a new job. He did it at our company, and another former colleague who was working somewhere he moved to said he did pretty much the same there. I look him up on LinkedIn occasionally, and there's a pattern. I imagine he only gets references because companies want to move the chocolate teapot on.