Unable to stick to a job more than 5 years

[Busymindfull]

I have been working for 30 years and have changed jobs around 3 to 4.5 years.

Current job I said I would stay until retirement ad it is a big company( but now getting a bit bored. What is wrong with me? I look at people that have stayed in same job or at least company for a long time and admire them.

I don’t regret leaving any of my previous roles though, each one has been an improvement to the previous one.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.