Avoid Becoming Part of the Furniture
17 December 2013
Read by 2185 persons
Why you should never stay in the same job for more than four years.
Today’s job market is nothing like your father’s. The days of workers spending their entire lives with the same company are long gone. We are in the age of multiple jobs, where frequent job changes are not only tolerated but encouraged. This is a relatively recent phenomenon, arguably starting with the proliferation of dot-com companies in the late 1990s. Whatever the reasons for this shift, the current work environment is built on increased mobility and flexibility of personnel. You will notice that fewer and fewer people stay in their jobs for more than 3 or 4 years. Here’s why you should follow this new trend.
Rapid Skill Evolution
It’s human nature to seek comfort and settle into predictable routines. If you are doing your job competently, you may not feel particularly motivated to constantly refine or update your skills. If this sounds like you, don’t worry, you are not alone. But it’s probably worth taking a look at the job market. The way companies operate and fill positions changes on a daily basis. Skills that are useful today may not be tomorrow, and vice versa. If you have been in your current job for several years, take a look at Monster’s “Job Search” section and find similar currently offered positions. Check the job requirements and see how they match up to yours. You might be surprised to see what employers are currently looking for.
Technological Advancements
As technology evolves, so do many industries. If you are in a technical role, take the pulse of your industry. Your current employer may not be adopting new platforms or technologies, but their competitor might be. Let’s say you are a Windows Systems Administrator and have been in that role with your company for several years, chances are there are entire suites of software and equipment completely unknown to you. If you haven’t been keeping up with these changes over the years, the next step in your career path might be difficult to take. Avoid becoming a dinosaur in your industry by staying in a position too long!
Perception
Imagine you are on a date and you learn that your date is fresh out of a twelve-year relationship. Think about how you would perceive that person and their relationship with you. Whether justified or not, you will make assumptions based on the length of their previous relationship. You would have a similar reaction to a hiring manager reviewing the resume of a candidate who has spent the last twelve years at another company. Will this person be easy to train? Will they adapt effectively to a new environment? What prompted them to leave their job after all these years? Are their skills up-to-date? Are they motivated? The questions are numerous and may be enough to deter a potential employer.
Career Path
While you can stay with a company for many years, staying in the same position for more than four years can be problematic. If you are ambitious and want to climb the corporate ladder, do it within two years of your hiring. If you’ve been in the same job for four years, you should probably consider other options. For example, if you are happy with your employer but stuck in a position with no advancement opportunities, try to move to other departments within the company. Also, many companies offer continuing education benefits; check if you are eligible for subsidized courses that will allow you to enhance your skills. Of course, if that is your intention, you should consult your superior, as they are often well-placed to assist you. The key here is to always be progressing, always staying ahead of the competition by always looking forward.
Remember also that hopping around too frequently from job to job can be damaging and rarely perceived positively. It can make you appear unreliable. Not to mention that your seniority takes a hit and you will always feel like you're taking a step backward each time you join a new team.
Like everything else in life, think carefully before making career decisions and take time to follow the changes that occur in your industry in order to determine how it could benefit your career. Above all, avoid stagnation in the same position! Explore different options to keep your professional dynamism and motivation high.
Joe Issid.
Monster.ca
Posted December 17, 2013.
Today’s job market is nothing like your father’s. The days of workers spending their entire lives with the same company are long gone. We are in the age of multiple jobs, where frequent job changes are not only tolerated but encouraged. This is a relatively recent phenomenon, arguably starting with the proliferation of dot-com companies in the late 1990s. Whatever the reasons for this shift, the current work environment is built on increased mobility and flexibility of personnel. You will notice that fewer and fewer people stay in their jobs for more than 3 or 4 years. Here’s why you should follow this new trend.
Rapid Skill Evolution
It’s human nature to seek comfort and settle into predictable routines. If you are doing your job competently, you may not feel particularly motivated to constantly refine or update your skills. If this sounds like you, don’t worry, you are not alone. But it’s probably worth taking a look at the job market. The way companies operate and fill positions changes on a daily basis. Skills that are useful today may not be tomorrow, and vice versa. If you have been in your current job for several years, take a look at Monster’s “Job Search” section and find similar currently offered positions. Check the job requirements and see how they match up to yours. You might be surprised to see what employers are currently looking for.
Technological Advancements
As technology evolves, so do many industries. If you are in a technical role, take the pulse of your industry. Your current employer may not be adopting new platforms or technologies, but their competitor might be. Let’s say you are a Windows Systems Administrator and have been in that role with your company for several years, chances are there are entire suites of software and equipment completely unknown to you. If you haven’t been keeping up with these changes over the years, the next step in your career path might be difficult to take. Avoid becoming a dinosaur in your industry by staying in a position too long!
Perception
Imagine you are on a date and you learn that your date is fresh out of a twelve-year relationship. Think about how you would perceive that person and their relationship with you. Whether justified or not, you will make assumptions based on the length of their previous relationship. You would have a similar reaction to a hiring manager reviewing the resume of a candidate who has spent the last twelve years at another company. Will this person be easy to train? Will they adapt effectively to a new environment? What prompted them to leave their job after all these years? Are their skills up-to-date? Are they motivated? The questions are numerous and may be enough to deter a potential employer.
Career Path
While you can stay with a company for many years, staying in the same position for more than four years can be problematic. If you are ambitious and want to climb the corporate ladder, do it within two years of your hiring. If you’ve been in the same job for four years, you should probably consider other options. For example, if you are happy with your employer but stuck in a position with no advancement opportunities, try to move to other departments within the company. Also, many companies offer continuing education benefits; check if you are eligible for subsidized courses that will allow you to enhance your skills. Of course, if that is your intention, you should consult your superior, as they are often well-placed to assist you. The key here is to always be progressing, always staying ahead of the competition by always looking forward.
Remember also that hopping around too frequently from job to job can be damaging and rarely perceived positively. It can make you appear unreliable. Not to mention that your seniority takes a hit and you will always feel like you're taking a step backward each time you join a new team.
Like everything else in life, think carefully before making career decisions and take time to follow the changes that occur in your industry in order to determine how it could benefit your career. Above all, avoid stagnation in the same position! Explore different options to keep your professional dynamism and motivation high.
Joe Issid.
Monster.ca
Posted December 17, 2013.
