Should I Stay Or Should I Go – How Much Does Job Tenure Matter?

Except for the “return-to-the-office vs. work-from-home” tug of war, the labor market seems to have snapped back to its normal ebbs and flows. And with that comes self-reflection on your career, including the determination of how long to stay in a job before you jump to another one. A recent poll conducted by Jobera revealed that almost 20% of workers faced with a mandate to return to the office would quit their current job to work from home because they have their own bathroom – I’m not sure that’s the best reasoning to pass on an opportunity, but I guess there’s a reason why bathroom renovations add so much to a home’s resale value. 😉

Sorry, back to business – how long you should stay in a job is based on contradictory realities: potential employers will always be wary of applicants who they perceive as job hoppers and those same employers will dump you in a heartbeat if it’s good for their bottom line. For example, on a macro basis companies are raising wages but simultaneously accelerating layoffs. To walk this tightrope, you must simultaneously look out for #1 (that’s you) and approach your job with long-term strategic thinking.

Ideally, you have a consistent work history that shows a high level of commitment to the jobs you’ve accepted. Five years was once considered the minimum but that is an outdated expectation. One to two years offers ample time for personal and professional development and avoiding the dreaded perception that you are a job hopper. That said, there may be excellent reasons to jump ship sooner rather than later, including:

• Are you an up-and-comer? There is no single path to the top and if another company is willing to let you move up that is an opportunity you may want to consider regardless of how long you’ve been in your current position. If you have the skills to climb the ladder and you feel stuck sometimes it’s better to find a new ladder at another company.  

• Is your employer a sinking ship? When forces beyond your control become apparent, such as an impending bankruptcy, a buyout, or a merger where there is an uncertain future, you can jump ship without the baggage of being branded a job hopper.

• Internal strife that creates a hostile work environment is bad for your mental health. If waking up and going to work fills you with free-floating anxiety and dread, then it may be time to find a new job.

• If your company is engaged in illegal behavior and wants you to engage in morally and ethically tenuous activities, run like hell.

Nobody is going to blame you for leaving a job after just a short time if the circumstances are extreme like the ones mentioned above. With that said, there are benefits to being at a company for the long haul:

• When you put your time in, you may be more likely to advance. What happens when a student transfers from one college to another? They lose credits and it takes longer to graduate. The same can apply to your career; if you bounce around too much, you may lose ground and it will take longer to achieve your goals.

• Increases in compensation, vesting, and promotions are often awarded to those with the most experience, which is linked to the time you spend at a single company. Loyalty has rewards. Do you want that private bathroom? Put your time in.

• If you’re in the first phase of your career, your professional development is accelerated by mentors. The full benefits of being mentored cannot be achieved in a short time. Learning a little here and there will never be as effective as immersion. Think about learning a new language. If you use an app like Duolingo, you may be able to turn a phrase or two, but if you live in another country for a year, you may reach fluency.

• Stability. Yes, stability seems unadventurous and boring until you experience instability. But having a stable job and income can be a great thing.

• Two factors epitomize a successful professional life – 1) doing meaningful work; and 2) developing in-depth relationships with your co-workers. Both take time. The longer you are in the trenches with other people the more these elements can be nurtured.

Philip Roufail contributed to this article.

Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, career coaching services, and outplacement services. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.