The Danger of Staying in a Role Too Long
Samantha Eydt • October 18, 2017
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:
- The money
- They are comfortable and unsure if they should try something new
- They get on well with the people they work with
- They simply love their job
- They live in a high unemployment area
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!
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In business since 2002 in Australia, NZ, and the United Kingdom, people2people is an award-winning recruitment agency with people at our heart. With over 12 offices, we specialise in accounting and finance, business support, education, executive, government, HR, legal, marketing and digital, property, sales, supply chain, and technology sectors. As the proud recipients of the 2024 Outstanding Large Agency and Excellence in Candidate Care Awards, we are dedicated to helping businesses achieve success through a people-first approach.
