The Danger of Staying in a Role Too Long

As recruitment consultants, we meet people every day, who have experienced various work situations. Sometimes we meet with people who have been in a job for 1 month and want to leave, and some who have been with the same company for 15 years.

Now, all employers value longevity in their employees’ careers but is there such a thing as too long?

So, why do people stay with the same employer for long periods of time? Well, some of the top reasons include:

After a person has worked with the same employer for what might be considered an ‘extended period of time’ can be very difficult. Many people who switch employers after 10 or so years, may find themselves leaving their new role after just a couple of months. This could be due to false expectations about how big a challenge it can be to start a new job. The reality is, you are moving into a new environment and you do have to prove yourself all over again. You have to earn the trust and respect of others and the effort involved should not be underestimated.

If you have been with your employer for a long period of time with regular salary increases, you may have to prepare yourself for a slight salary drop in your next role. This is exactly where some individuals can get caught. I meet many job seekers who realise they are being paid ahead of the current market average and decide to stay with their current employer.

While this may seem like a good idea at the time; in the long term, people who stay in positions for too long are paid much less over the course of their career, than those who move jobs on a semi to regular basis.

If you have moved on and you find yourself in a situation where you feel as though you are not doing well in your new role, you are not alone.

My advice is to embrace the changes and culture of your new company and employer. Do not go in with unattainable expectations, but instead with an open mind.

On a side note, keep in mind that moving jobs too often is also damaging to your career. Moving on every 6-12 months does not look great on a CV. Of course, we understand that there are certain circumstances where this is unavoidable and in these situations, it is great to have a recruitment consultant who can speak to hiring managers on your behalf, to explain your situation.

Please get in touch with a recruiter at people2people today!