Is it good to be employed by the same company for twenty years?
The following contribution is from the Allen Recruitment portal, which defines itself as follows: “We are a team of expert recruitment consultants with offices in Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Sweden, Belgium and Poland, providing recruitment solutions and career opportunities across Europe. We offer temporary, permanent, contract and contingent positions across a variety of industries, including IT, technology, finance, telecommunications, e-commerce, engineering and more.”
How long is too long in one job? After a certain amount of time, you may start to wonder if staying in your current job is working for you or hurting you. Is it time for a change? Is it good or bad to stay in the same job for a long time?
While job loyalty can be a valuable trait, there comes a time when staying in the same job for too long can hinder your professional growth and limit your opportunities.
Changing jobs is not a good idea, but there is a difference between that and strategically advancing your career
Gone are the days when employees stayed in the same company in the same position for decades. The culture of the time has changed, and you better be prepared to change along with it.
So, how long is too long in the same job?
The answer depends on several factors, including your personal and professional goals.
If you find yourself in the same job, doing the same routine for an extended period, you are at risk. Due to the extensive use of technology, changes happen frequently and quickly in the business world. If you don’t keep up with the latest, you’ll soon feel outdated and irrelevant.
The truth is, after you’ve been in the same job for a while, you lose your «fresh» factor. Even though you may be performing at your best, new faces may get you more attention and promotions from your managers.
Whether you feel stuck in your current position or are just curious about the benefits of changing jobs, let’s look at some factors that could help you move forward.
Most people agree that five years is the longest you want to stay in the same job at your company
Of course, this answer changes depending on your pre-established career arc and promotions within your company. For example, accountants or lawyers may have a very clear path within an organization, but others, such as creative jobs, need to show more variety in their career path.
When Should You Change Jobs? Ask yourself these questions to assess whether you need to start moving up:
– Are you learning as much as you would in a new job?
– Has your salary stagnated? Could you improve significantly?
– Are you moving up in the company, changing your responsibilities and roles enough to challenge you and demonstrate your adaptability?
– Are you unhappy but scared of change?
One of the top reasons to change jobs is if you feel like you’re no longer growing and developing in your current position.
If you’re not being challenged or given new opportunities to learn, you may start to feel stuck in your career. This can lead to a lack of motivation and job satisfaction, and ultimately hinder your career progress.
At the same time, if you feel like you’re not being compensated fairly for your work, it’s time to take a closer look at your current job. While money shouldn’t be the only factor in your decision to change jobs, it is an important consideration. In short, if you feel like you’ve hit a wall in your current position or you’re being underpaid and not getting the benefits you deserve, it may be time to explore other opportunities.
As mentioned, losing relevance or becoming obsolete in a job is very dangerous
There are always new ways of doing things and new technologies to consider. If you don’t keep up with them, you’ll quickly fall behind.
This also affects how others think of you. If you stay in a job for too long without a promotion, your employer may falsely believe that you’re happy with the job you have.
A common reason for staying with a company is money. The possibility of a raise or bonus can be an incentive. However, when compared to the ability to negotiate your salary and the possibility of continuing to advance at another company, this is not a good reason to stay.
Finally, staying with one company too long can kill your career advancement
If you want to continue advancing in your career and your company isn’t offering it, then you need to move on. Don’t lose sight of your goals. If your goals change, that’s okay. But if you still feel that urge to move on, then you’ll need to start looking.
The years go by
Have you decided to make a change?
Knowing when to leave your current job requires careful strategy, planning, and thought. You don’t want to leave too soon, but you don’t want to leave too late either. Keep an eye on what you want to do next and reach out to recruiting agencies and headhunters to discuss your options. On top of this, you’ll want to be aware of your company’s ability to move you up, so keep the conversation flowing with your managers.
Re-entering the job market after leaving a job can seem daunting, but it’s essential to stay positive.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
Update your resume: Make sure your resume is up-to-date and accurately reflects your skills, experience, and accomplishments. This is your first chance to make a good impression on potential employers, so take the time to craft a clear, compelling resume that highlights your strengths.
Network: Reach out to your professional contacts and let them know you’re in the job market. Attend industry events, join professional associations, reach out to recruiting agencies, and connect with people on social media to expand your network. You never know when a connection might lead to a job opportunity.
Research companies: Take the time to research companies you’re interested in and learn as much as you can about their culture, values, and mission. This will help you identify companies that are a good fit for your skills and experience and can help you tailor your application and interview responses accordingly.
Practice your interview skills: If you haven’t been to an interview in a while, it can be helpful to practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. This can help you feel more confident and comfortable in the interview environment and help you identify areas where you might need to improve.
Once you’ve moved on to the next step and started the interview process, addressing tenure can be a sensitive topic
When talking about your previous experience, don’t go on too long about it. Make sure to show the value of your experience and highlight the skills and knowledge you gained during your time at your previous job.
Emphasize how you can use your experience to add value to the new role and the company, as well as your enthusiasm for the new opportunity and how you can contribute to the team.
Would these benefits keep you at a company for 20 years?
The following contribution is from the WORK180 portal, which defines its recent history as follows: “Gemma Lloyd spent the first decade of her career in the tech sector dealing with routine sexism and discrimination. Meanwhile, Valeria Ignatieva struggled to find a workplace that offered her the flexibility she needed as a single mother of a disabled son.”
“They knew they weren’t the only ones who felt unwelcome in the working world, but they also knew there were employers who would value and foster their talents – they just needed a way to find them! And so, in 2015, they created WORK180 (formerly Diverse City Careers).”
“Today, WORK180 is trusted by millions of women around the world. Our endorsement stands for employers committed to diversity, equity and inclusion – and we hold them accountable. We’ve caught the attention of media outlets such as Vogue, ABC and the Financial Times. We are also backed by investors such as Startmate, Skip Capital, Ashpeak Investments, Investible, Giant Leap and Blackbird VC.”
“Our global team is growing and big brands are joining us, but our mission will always be the same: to raise organisational standards so that all women can choose workplaces where they can thrive.”
What does it say about a company when an employee stays there not just for several years, but for two decades?
That’s how long Natalie Rowe has been at Pitcher Partners Melbourne, and it says a lot about the company.
But the fact that she’s stayed there for so long isn’t the most interesting part of her story. Nor is the fact that she’s now a senior manager in the division she started in twenty years ago.
Instead, what’s most remarkable is why she stayed (and kept staying)
Nat’s career path is the perfect example of a company doing the right things to keep employees engaged and satisfied with their jobs. And it’s a prime example of how true employee satisfaction often goes beyond metrics and formulas. Choosing Pitcher Partners
Nat started at Pitcher Partners over twenty years ago, joining the firm’s Business Advisory and Assurance (BAA) division in 2003 as a graduate.
She didn’t know that two decades later, she would be helping to lead the next generation in the same department.
But even back then, Nat already had high hopes for the firm.
“Pitcher Partners was well-respected within the industry and provided excellent service to its clients. I believed that working there would give me valuable experience, exposure to a wide range of clients and opportunities for career growth.”
And her belief paid off.
Not only did the firm meet and exceed her expectations, it also provided her with the comprehensive support she desired to further advance her career.
“Pitcher Partners has supported my development through ongoing training programs, including my CA (Certified Public Accountant) certifications. They foster a culture of continuous learning and keep us up to date with industry trends and regulations.”
The Culture of Continuous Improvement
This culture of continuous improvement kept Nat motivated to keep reaching higher and dream bigger, which propelled her to greater professional heights over the years.
Today, she is one of BAA’s top leaders and a trusted advisor with decades of experience and expertise on her resume.
And more importantly, thanks to Pitcher Partners, decades spent doing work that was challenging yet rewarding.
Staying for the Long Haul
When we asked Nat if she remembered the exact moment she knew Pitcher Partners was the right firm for her, she replied,
“I can’t remember a key moment, but I found myself in a friendly and supportive work environment where the work was interesting and challenging. I realized then that it was the right decision.”
As a well-known entrepreneur and achiever, Nat naturally appreciated this sense of challenge.
The opportunity to work with different companies and tackle projects of all types and sizes has also been too good to pass up.
“We work with a wide range of clients across different industries, which exposes me to various business operations, accounting practices, and industry-specific regulations. “This has greatly broadened my knowledge and skills.”
She sums up her thoughts:
“The most rewarding parts of my job are the combination of professional growth, exposure to diversity, and the opportunity to train and develop junior staff.”
This opportunity to mentor the next generation, in particular, has been a recent but undeniable source of satisfaction for Nat, especially in her team.
“I believe my role as a manager in our division has an impact on the development and careers of our younger talents.”
She says:
“Being part of a team allows me to contribute to the development of junior staff members. Watching them learn and progress brings a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.”
By harnessing her desire to succeed and connecting her to the future of the firm, Pitcher Partners gave Nat the drive to continue growing with the firm.
A welcoming place for women
Even with the best intentions, it’s difficult for any company to retain its best employees without the right support and benefits.
Fortunately for Nat, Pitcher Partners provided her with much more than she needed to thrive.
She shares some of the standout benefits for her and other women at the firm.
First, there’s the variety of jobs available and the lasting impact of their efforts.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with many different clients, building relationships and gaining a deep understanding of their businesses. It goes beyond numbers and calculations – we can have a real impact on companies.”
Pitcher Partners’ flexible work arrangements have also been a huge benefit.
“Pitcher Partners offers flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options or flexible hours. This allows us to better manage our personal commitments while fulfilling our professional responsibilities.”
She adds:
“This flexibility allows us to pursue ongoing professional development opportunities without sacrificing work-life balance.”
Nat also highlights the company’s commitment to continually investing in its people
“Pitcher Partners’ ongoing training programs and various industry events help us improve our skills, stay up to date with industry trends, and expand our professional network. This ongoing professional development allows us to grow our experience, explore new roles or specializations, and take on greater responsibilities in our career paths.”
Additionally, for Nat, the icing on the cake is the company’s team-based culture and unique ways of working.
“BAA has a collaborative environment where you can work closely with other team members, exchange knowledge, and tackle challenges together.”
And it’s not just Nat who loves this about the company; other members of her team kindly shared it with us, too.
Kathy Hu, manager at BAA, tells us:
Loyalty to the company
“What I love most about working at BAA is the relationships I’ve built over the years, not just with clients, but also with my teams. As our work is largely based on teamwork, being able to work together to achieve common goals and outcomes for our clients is very rewarding.”
Tahlia Corbo, Assistant Manager, also shares:
“What I like most about working at BAA is the relationships we build, whether it’s with the teams or the clients we work with. Also, the wide range of work and skills we’re exposed to.”
Nat agrees:
“Working as a team helps us solve problems and come up with new ideas. It’s a great way to learn from each other and get better at what we do.”
Should you stay or go?
Are you happy where you are? Do you see yourself working somewhere else? What would make you stay or go?
These are questions only you can answer.
But if you’re like Nat and already have what you’re looking for, the answer is much, much easier.
