In today’s job market, it’s rare to find an employee that worked in the same position and same company for 25 or 35 years. The days of finding a job and staying there for your entire career are long gone. According to one article, we are better off for it.
On Monster.ca, a Canadian career website, an article by Joel Issid explains why staying in the same job for more than four years can actually be detrimental to your career. The article explains that when it comes to your job, you should aim to move on within three to four years. Below are his reasons for constant forward motion.
Rapidly evolving skill sets
It is human nature to get comfortable and settle into a predictable routine. If you are able to perform your job competently, there may be little motivation to consistently be improving or updating your skill sets. If this describes you, don’t worry – you are not alone. But you may want to check out what’s happening on the job market. Companies are evolving daily how they do business and how they staff their positions. What is a necessary skill set today may not be required tomorrow. And vice versa.
Technological advancements
As technology evolves, so does the face of entire industries. If you are working a technical job, keep your finger on the pulse of what is happening in your industry. While your current employer may not be adopting new platforms or technologies, their competitor’s might. If you haven’t been keeping up with these changes over the years, you may have a hard time taking the next step in your career. You don’t want to become a dinosaur in your industry by staying at a job for too long.
Perception
Imagine you are on a date and discover that your companion has just come out of a 12-year relationship. Think about how you would perceive that person and how they may relate to you. Unfair or not, you will make assumptions based on the longevity of their previous relationship. Your reaction would not be unlike that of a hiring manager when evaluating the resume of a candidate who spent the preceding 12 years working for another company. Will this person be easy to train? Will he/she adapt well to a new environment? What made this person leave after so many years? Are their skill sets up to date? Are they motivated? The questions are endless and can be enough to put off a potential employer.
Career Advancement
While you can remain in the employ of a company for many years, holding onto the same position for more than 4 years can be problematic. If you have aspirations to evolve within your company, you should be looking to do so within 2 years of joining. If you have been in the same seat for 4 years, you may want to consider other options.
For example, if you are happy with your employer but stuck in a position with no growth, you can try branching out to other departments within the same company. Additionally, many companies also offer continuing education benefits so inquire as to whether you can qualify for some subsidised courses to help grow your skills. As always, you should consult with your manager if you are feeling this way as they are in a great position to be able to advise you.
Issids’s key point is to keep moving to stay relevant and highly motivated. He does warn that you don’t want to move around too much, as you may seem unreliable or indecisive. Any move should be considered carefully.
What do you think? Would changing your job every four years help or hinder your career goals?
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