S/O: office turnover

[noodleoo]

The office turnover post got me thinking: If you have been with 1 company in the same position for a long time (say 10 years) and then decide to make a change, is the longevity with one company seen as a good quality or bad quality to HR? I guess I would normally think it is a good thing (showing loyalty, not a job hopper, etc) but it seems like people change jobs so frequently now, do people really see it as a lack of motivation or initiative? Do they question why you want to leave after being in one place for so long?

Asked by someone who has been with the same company for 10 years and is scared to start applying for new jobs.

[EmilieMadison]

Job-hopping is very rarely viewed "positively" or as having lots of motivation or initiative.
Job loyalty is a good thing.

[limey]

I think you are over thinking this. No one is going to assume that you are unmotivated unless you demonstrate that in an interview.

[pamela]

Yeah, would not be looked down upon by anyone I don't think.

[ejpint]

No, longevity with a company is generally a good thing. The only time I might question it is if you appeared to be underemployed for a long time, or there was no progressive movement in that 10 years. For example, you have a masters in xxx field, but have been an administrative assistant for a decade since with no increase in responsibility.

[winnied]

Nov 13, 2012 12:37:02 GMT -5 ejpint said:

No, longevity with a company is generally a good thing. The only time I might question it is if you appeared to be underemployed for a long time, or there was no progressive movement in that 10 years. For example, you have a masters in xxx field, but have been an administrative assistant for a decade since with no increase in responsibility.

Exactly. As long as you kept moving upward it's definitely a good thing.

[pamela]

Nov 13, 2012 12:42:45 GMT -5 @vicmo said:

If you've been with one company for 10 years, that's probably fine. If you've been in one role at a company for 10 years, then I can see new employers wondering about your skill development and whether you stagnated in that role.

That depends on the role though. Lots of time the job title doesn't change, but your expertise in that area does, as does how often people call on you for advice. May not be something that comes across on paper though.

[noodleoo]

Nov 13, 2012 12:44:00 GMT -5 pamela said:

Nov 13, 2012 12:42:45 GMT -5 @vicmo said:

If you've been with one company for 10 years, that's probably fine. If you've been in one role at a company for 10 years, then I can see new employers wondering about your skill development and whether you stagnated in that role.

That depends on the role though. Lots of time the job title doesn't change, but your expertise in that area does, as does how often people call on you for advice. May not be something that comes across on paper though.

This is me. I've had the same title the whole time, but it is a small company (was a startup) so what I've done has changed a lot in that time. They just don't care about titles and don't really promote that way. I'm definitely in a more senior role than I was when I started, but I don't have a title to show for it.

I should really move on, but it is scary as shit to think about starting from scratch somewhere new. But this does make me feel better that 10 years in one place is not a negative.

[Deleted]

Nov 13, 2012 12:48:54 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

Nov 13, 2012 12:44:00 GMT -5 pamela said:

That depends on the role though. Lots of time the job title doesn't change, but your expertise in that area does, as does how often people call on you for advice. May not be something that comes across on paper though.

This is me. I've had the same title the whole time, but it is a small company (was a startup) so what I've done has changed a lot in that time. They just don't care about titles and don't really promote that way. I'm definitely in a more senior role than I was when I started, but I don't have a title to show for it.

I should really move on, but it is scary as shit to think about starting from scratch somewhere new. But this does make me feel better that 10 years in one place is not a negative.

I worry about this with my company, too. I've been at the same level for 4 years and my job title hasn't changed, although my department has so I guess technically the title is slightly different since I'm the coordinator, current department instead of coordinator, old department. Still.

I talked to my boss about this recently - not about switching companies, but about my fear of stagnation. He told me that as long as I can explain my skill progression and how I've taken on more responsibility, learned, done different things, etc, there shouldn't be anything to worry about. I'm not completely convinced, but what he said did make sense, too.

[everam01]

I worry about this as well. My job title has remained the same for the 7+ years I have been here, but my duties have changed over time.

[ejpint]

Nov 13, 2012 13:03:17 GMT -5 everam01 said:

I worry about this as well. My job title has remained the same for the 7+ years I have been here, but my duties have changed over time.

I think as long as you have shown progressive/increased responsibility, you're fine. Like do you train or mentor new employees? Take on more complex projects? If not, maybe ask your manager for some stretch assignments. And as long as your title reflects your education, skills and career goals, I wouldn't worry.

I think it's more of an issue if you appear underemployed or have stayed in what is clearly an entry level position for many years. I might question why you haven't chosen to or been able to move on.