How many jobs is "too many jobs" ?
Discussion
We were have a conversation at work today about how often people tend to change jobs. I've been working for 8 years now since graduating and have had 4 jobs in that time (one was for just a few months before they made everyone redundant)
I remember at uni, one lecturer saying that it is perfectly acceptable to change jobs every 2 years until you're 30 but then you need to start looking around for that "job for life". However I'm aware that academic types dont live in the real world at times so his advice could be nothing but useless twaddle.
At each place I have worked there have been men in their 40's and 50's who complain about not getting anywhere in their career yet they sit there being comfortable with what they've got.
It seems there are pros and cons either way and it seems to me that some companies simply wont offer the career progression that is required if one is to have a Lamborghini before I'm 40 !
Then of course there is what my grandad always says "you never get rich by working for someone else" - thats from someone who started off sweeping floors in a company and ended up as a director in the same firm.
So what is the PH take on all this? Is changing jobs every 2 years or so really such a bad thing?
I remember at uni, one lecturer saying that it is perfectly acceptable to change jobs every 2 years until you're 30 but then you need to start looking around for that "job for life". However I'm aware that academic types dont live in the real world at times so his advice could be nothing but useless twaddle.
At each place I have worked there have been men in their 40's and 50's who complain about not getting anywhere in their career yet they sit there being comfortable with what they've got.
It seems there are pros and cons either way and it seems to me that some companies simply wont offer the career progression that is required if one is to have a Lamborghini before I'm 40 !
Then of course there is what my grandad always says "you never get rich by working for someone else" - thats from someone who started off sweeping floors in a company and ended up as a director in the same firm.
So what is the PH take on all this? Is changing jobs every 2 years or so really such a bad thing?
My experience, and I changed jobs every 15 to 18 months after I qualified, is its not when that matters, but why, if you are getting abetter job each time then the next employere accepts it, if its because your attention span is zero then its a problem.
I eventully found a company that promoted me every 18 months for the 5 years (with a change of country) I was there, they liked the fact i wasn't stuck in one job,
I eventully found a company that promoted me every 18 months for the 5 years (with a change of country) I was there, they liked the fact i wasn't stuck in one job,
This may not apply in the industry you work in but I would say changing jobs every two years would put me off employing you as I would be thinking I will need to find a replacement for you in only two years time.
In the current job market with more applicants than jobs this might not be as much of negative as it would have been a year ago.
I work in quite a dynamic industry and have had jobs for, 5.5yrs, 4yrs, 6.5yrs and I would say the varied experience I have had to date was a big factor in getting me my current job.
In the current job market with more applicants than jobs this might not be as much of negative as it would have been a year ago.
I work in quite a dynamic industry and have had jobs for, 5.5yrs, 4yrs, 6.5yrs and I would say the varied experience I have had to date was a big factor in getting me my current job.
Edited by marine boy on Tuesday 21st July 23:40
First line of work I was in, I changed jobs quite a lot, but then short contracts (6mo - 1 year) are common for junior/entry level staff.
When I changed career, I pointed out that this meant that I was a good risk for a temporary post because I was already used to having to live like that (e.g. financial penalties imposed by mortgage lenders, how to job hunt to minimise time out of work, knowing how to fit in at a new workplace or even city and to hit the ground running). I got the post and it got my foot in the door.
When I changed career, I pointed out that this meant that I was a good risk for a temporary post because I was already used to having to live like that (e.g. financial penalties imposed by mortgage lenders, how to job hunt to minimise time out of work, knowing how to fit in at a new workplace or even city and to hit the ground running). I got the post and it got my foot in the door.
Edited by oldbanger on Tuesday 21st July 23:16
In terms of proper decent paid jobs (ie none of the temp rubbish) since University in 2001, I've had 4 and now on my 5th. Only on one of those occasions though did I leave by choice. Twice I've been sacked on completely trumped up charges (usually because they needed to make someone redundant) and on the other occasion the company and I agreed to part our ways amicably. I threatened to sue their arses if they didn't go along with that as they were also trying to get rid of me on trumped charges and I'd only been there a month! I had seen it coming after they gave me a hard time for being employed on a permanent contract rather than as a temp like my colleagues they employed at the same time. I got my current job less than a week later.
I've been in my current role for 3 years. Unfortunately I really enjoy what I do, so I can't see me being bothered to move onto any other roles outside of this company or its parent company and doing something completely new. Also the job and responsibilities have changed so it keeps it interesting.
A wise MD once advised me that he always told his sales staff to move onto to something new after they had been with him 5 years, so that they faced new challenges and didn't get too stuck in a rut. I'm probably not going to go along with that just yet. We'll see.
I've been in my current role for 3 years. Unfortunately I really enjoy what I do, so I can't see me being bothered to move onto any other roles outside of this company or its parent company and doing something completely new. Also the job and responsibilities have changed so it keeps it interesting.
A wise MD once advised me that he always told his sales staff to move onto to something new after they had been with him 5 years, so that they faced new challenges and didn't get too stuck in a rut. I'm probably not going to go along with that just yet. We'll see.
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