How long should you stay in a position or company? Do you think there is a standard time?

10 Comments

1. LauraJuly 8,2025 at 12:01PM UTC

   There is no right answer just the answer that is best for you. I worked in HR for most of my career and stayed in positions from 6 months to 10 years and everywhere in between. While I don't think there is ever going to be a "perfect" job, if there are truly factors that make it unbearable then get out regardless of the timeline (hence my 6 month stint!). If you're asking what looks best on a resume that also varies since it depends on your experience as a whole not just one job along with how you own your story. Not sure of your circumstances but think about the totality of your work experience rather than simply one job. Good luck!

2. AnonymousJuly 8,2025 at 12:30PM UTC

   Well from a personal standpoint I don't think there is,one. Some people like the comfort and safety of staying 5 to 10 years. Others choose momentum in a career to make top dollar and increase their titles. You can move to the VP level faster. So they would stay on average 3 or 4 years, make their mark and get recruited by the next company.

   As long as there is satisfaction and promotions every couple of years I wouldn't worry. But as soon as things slow down, I would start looking if it's a career. If it's just a job and you love it, hang on for dear life for as long as possible.

3. AnonymousJuly 8,2025 at 1:49PM UTC

   Popular mindset is that if you want to continue to earn more, you need to be moving companies every few years. On the flip side - right or wrong - companies don't always like to see that sort of job history. As far as staying in one position at the same company...that's going to depend on many factors - what you want, your performance, company structure, what opportunities are available there, etc. but if you want to be promoted and you've expressed the desire to be promoted and aren't being promoted, then consider digging into why and consider looking elsewhere.

4. AnonymousJuly 8,2025 at 4:22PM UTC

   The average term is usually under 5 years with at least one promotion. 3 years without promotion. Now, as pointed out below, some people just need security and don't care about improving or rising in their career.

   I personally refuse to wait around for someone to promote me. I make my ambition know quickly and often. I wanted to earn $ and accolades. So I have spent my entire career job hopping every few years following the money. I generally make 2-3x more than my counterparts for this very reason.

5. AnonymousJuly 8,2025 at 10:16PM UTC

   In a position 2 years, in a company maybe 5 years if they treat you well with raises and promotions.

6. AnonymousJuly 8,2025 at 11:46PM UTC

   It all depends on your career goals and how well the company treats you. I have worked anywhere from four months to two years at interim/placeholder jobs. I have also worked 8-20+ years in career positions. The company I worked at for 20+ years put me on a fast track to and through management all the way to a VP position, so if that is where you want to be, and they compensate you fairly, then it serves no reason or upside to jumping out. These days, however, companies have no loyalty to their employees but expect 100 percent loyalty from them, so tenures are getting much shorter.

7. Paulla Fetzek, MSEdJuly 9,2025 at 1:24PM UTC

   I'm Gen X - on the older side of it too. I was brought up believing that your job was your career. To that end, I'm 58 and have only had 3 jobs. The first for 9 years (company closed), the second for 4 (company got bought out and there were massive layoffs), and my current job - which I've been at for over 23.

   Not everyone cares about moving up the ladder, and man are content with "behind the scenes" positions providing the work is still engaging, the company has decent benefits, and the employee feels heard.

   I have all 3 of these with my current job which is why I've stayed so long. Also - to be brutally honest - I'll be 58 this year. The chances of my finding another job at this point are not favorable. Meaning I want to make the best of this job, as it's likely the one I'll have until I retire.

8. Robyn WickJuly 9,2025 at 2:29PM UTC

   I'm similar. I've been with the same employer for the bulk of my career, but I've had a lot of great opportunities for advancement and learning. I'm in higher ed, so our leadership changes fairly regularly at both the university and college levels, so org changes and restructuring are the norm. I've been here around 25 years and only had two bosses in that entire time. I would leave if I weren't feeling challenged, but I've been able to take new roles, take on new responsibilities, and stay challenged.

9. Paulla Fetzek, MSEdJuly 10,2025 at 1:01PM UTC

   Higher Ed has been my dream my whole life. I just completed my Masters in Higher Ed/Adult Ed last September and will start my Doctorate this October. I've been trying for a second job teaching PT since I graduated, with no luck. One day!

10. AnonymousJuly 10,2025 at 5:33PM UTC

    It depends on many factors. One, are you 22-32? In your lifetime you will change jobs and companies about 5-10 times. It's a range, but I've worked for many companies and I'm 60. There is no magic number. There is no perfect company as leadership, policies, procedures, the market can change on a dime. I was in a career and in that career I worked for 5 different companies in a span of 12 years as I contracted and also left crappy firms. Then returned to my roots in higher ed which I worked prior to the career. Always look forward in your job, at your company and if you are not moving up, you will never go anywhere. Dreaming about being a CEO is great, will you get there, maybe. But know this, go with the market in your field. If the market sucks and you have a job, stay. If the market is moving and it's going well, MOVE with it. I did this and did very well but when the market tanked, I left the industry. But I'm still in a job that works around the same type of industry so I'm golden. I figured out what I was good at and was successful beginning at the young age of 32. You will grow in your lifetime, learn skills, and will be able to share them and maybe be a subject matter expert, but to get there, you have to earn it.