When is it time to move on?

[Sexual Chocolate]

When do fellow PHers decide its time to move on to a new job? Trying to work out if I should stay in my current contract or if its time to move on.

[simonej]

I'm at the same point; do I move to something with less money but more prospects in the 20+ year long term, or stay and probably do better in the short term? I think the fact that I'm fed up doing what I'm doing and receiving no thanks for it is making the decision easier....

[rog007]

If you're ambitious and have a high risk threshold, move regularly. Good luck!

Edited by rog007 on Thursday 10th April 09:51

[RealSquirrels]

i find that its normally best to do to it before you know its definitely time to move on!

[Hoofy]

When I feel it's right. You just know, I guess. Lacking motivation or feeling you could be doing something better elsewhere seem like good reasons.

[okgo]

When I get to work and am bored, or can do the work without having to really think all that much about it, or I see other places paying loads more for what I do than I earn.

Most recently it was all 3.

[Condi]

Almost as soon as I get comfortable. Once I know I can do it I start looking for something else, and generally I know roughly what the next step is before taking it. If you feel ready for it, you've probably already waited too long.

It means lots of moving around, a few wrong turns, and pissing off a few employers, but that's life. Im not chasing the money, just chasing a challenge and most people respect that.

[Siscar]

It depends on your role and age, but there comes a point where we don't consider people who have had too many jobs. Getting through three or four by thirty is fine, particularly when you can see progression in them, but there comes a point where you know that if someone hasn't committed to longer in another job they won't for us. Replacing people is expensive so it's a big negative sign.

[bogie]

Siscar said:

It depends on your role and age, but there comes a point where we don't consider people who have had too many jobs. Getting through three or four by thirty is fine, particularly when you can see progression in them, but there comes a point where you know that if someone hasn't committed to longer in another job they won't for us. Replacing people is expensive so it's a big negative sign.

I would agree with that...ive been a hiring manager for 15 years now. In your 20's its almost normal to change every few years and advance. But later on when you are established, someone who changes every 2 years can turn out to be a good talker that never really delivers anything

....2 years is just long enough to get settled in, have a good run at delivering 12 months business and then if its not that good start looking for something else....someone with a 2 year itch still at 40 years old would probably be better going contracting for themselves

[ChasW]

There's no standard answer here. All other things being equal, ie good workplace with fair reward and fun colleagues, I was always happy while I was still learning, developing and feeling challenged. Once I got to "autopilot" mode then that was the signal to look for something new or different. To me the ideal next job is where 50% is new ground and 50% familiar. Hard to get these days as employers want very close fits.