How long have you been working at your current job?

@deejean06 (1952)
United States
March 23, 2009 10:10am CST
I've been working at my current job for 6 1/2 years. But it took me a full year of searching before I found it. And thankfully it was just in time...my previous employer was downsizing and I was the one who was chosen for cut. I found this job soon after the cut went into effect. I am grateful every day that I do have a job and make a decent salary in order to help with the family expenses. We don't live luxuriously by any means but we are comfortable in our home. I was recently told that generally speaking people switch jobs at least 3 times in their lives. Do you think this is true? How long do you usually stay with a company? Have you switched jobs recently or taken completely different career paths? I'm wondering if this is really true?...
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21 responses
@Elixiress (3878)
29 Apr 09
I think people switching jobs 3 times in there lives is an understatement and expected it to me a lot higher. I am only 18 and so far in my life I have had the following jobs - Paper round, which I started when I was 13 and it lasted about 3 years. - Babysitting, I did this alongside a paper round for about 6 months. - Data Input, this was a part time job while I was at college and it lasted about 6 months too as it was only temporary. - Retail Assistant, which I am currently doing and I have had this job for about 1 year. And I am not planning on sticking in my current job much longer since I am moving half way down the country and before I do that I am planning on getting another job to help me save money for moving out. So in the next 6 months I can see myself having another 2 jobs.
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@Elixiress (3878)
9 Jun 09
It all depends on what you are willing to do on how easy it is to find job and how much you are willing to do that job for. Althought there is the credit crunch, there is a still a lot of jobs in undesirable sectors.
@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
8 Jun 09
HI Elixiress and thanks for the response! Good luck with the job search and your move around the country. I admire you that you can switch jobs so easily. It has not been that easy for me to find jobs - good for you!
@cndn420 (2062)
• Canada
23 Mar 09
i have 2 jobs and one of my jobs ive been there for almost 3 years now and my 2nd job i started 3 days ago....its only temporary though. i normally keep my jobs for minimum 2 years..looks better on the resume that way
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@cndn420 (2062)
• Canada
23 Mar 09
no no i didn't say the minimum for jobs in general was 2 years, personally i like to keep a job for more than 1 year for myself .. i don't like switching jobs too many times
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@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
23 Mar 09
Hello cndn - I didn't know that the minimum for jobs was two years. Thankfully I'm well beyond that and I think I've been beyond that for most of my jobs. Thanks for the tip and the response.
• United States
23 Mar 09
Well I have been at my current job for two years next month. It took me 2 years to find this one after college. I think that it is true that most people switch jobs at least 3 times in there lives. For example my mother worked for a Doctors office for a very long time, Then she switched to the hositpal and she was there for a long time and now she is a school nurse. My dad worked at a refinery, then he did insurance and now he is back and a refinery and has been there for a long time. My aunt on the other hand has changed jobs wayyyyyyyyy more than three times, either because the company was getting smaller, she didnt like the job, she was let go..etc. I like what I am doing but I dont really like my surroundings at work. I think I will stay her for at least 2 more years so I can get more exiperence and then start looking for another job.
@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
23 Mar 09
Hi rene... It's good to stay at a job for the sake of experience. I was very grateful for the first company that hired me because I gained valuable experience those first few years. I too know people who have changed jobs way more than three times...Do you think this makes them less attractive in the marketplace because employers see a constant change and don't want to invest in someone who may potentially leave quickly?
• United States
23 Mar 09
I dont know. I think it all depends on why the person has switched jobs so much. If it is because of their behavior on the job and they keep getting fired that is one think and I dont think that makes them desirable, but if the person has changed jobs because they moved or the company went bust, the company was going down a path that the person was not comfortable with... etc, I don't think that should be looked down upon. That is one of the reason why my aunt has had so many jobs, she just keeps picking companies that don't last long or the downsize only her department. It's all a gamble, you either have to much, to little or not the right kind of expirence for certain jobs. It sucks when you are looking.
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• China
24 Mar 09
I have been working at my current job for nearly two years. I quit my first job serveral years ago. Then I found this job. It is a foreign company and I am acting as the editor. My current task is to edit all kinds of materials. Although it is full of joy and it pays well, I still want to switch. However, the economic environment is bad now. So I am reluctant to move right now.Maybe I will change my job one year later.
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@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
24 Mar 09
Hello! You sound like you're happy in your current position - why would you want to leave... If you're happy and it pays well I would stay where I am. But you have to do what's right for you. Good luck in whatever you do! Thanks for the response.
• Philippines
24 Mar 09
I've been 5 years on my first job, I quit because I want to explore. On my current job I almost 7 years. & now I can't understand myself. I want to shift again to another job. I feel boring & I think I'm empty. I want to find something but I don't know what is it? Maybe this is what you said that people switch jobs at least 3 times in their lives.
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• Philippines
24 Mar 09
You know people always tried and tried until they get the hide. In your situation I think the best way is what you think right now. Maybe your are not happy in your job right now. Don't worry god is always with us. GOD Bless us All..
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• Malaysia
24 Mar 09
Yep I had been working for almost 7 years now and still counting but soon I will be independent as my online job is making it real. I had switch my job's about 7 times but only one remains as I had put my effort more on this company and I had been with it for almost 7 years.
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@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
29 Apr 09
Hi Gadgeteer and welcome to mylot! It will be 7 years in September for me but I'd very much like to have something online where I'm independent like you. How did you do it? Good for you and thanks for the response.
@austere (2812)
• Philippines
24 Mar 09
I am with the company for more than a year..actually for almost 2 years. I will have my 2nd year anniversary on april 30th. I got this job right after graduation, so this is my first real employment. I used to tutor when I was in college, and I tried working for a fast food chain for a month. My current works quite tiring, but the pays bigger compared to the regular job. I work night shifts and I somehow after being here for sometime, I am starting to think that my jobs getting redundant and it becomes a routine, nothing new and exciting. But then again, when I think of getting another job, I can’t help thinking I would still end up hating whatever it is, and I will still end up finding it boring, so guess I am sticking with this, at least I get well compensated and that’s still somehow motivating me.
@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
29 Apr 09
Hi austere...I completely understand what you're saying. I'm not happy in my current position and I've been here almost 7 years. But the pay is good and who's to say that it will be better somewhere else? Compensation is a true motivating factor for the both of us! Thanks for your response.
@Nancy312 (282)
• China
24 Mar 09
i have been working in our company for one year after graduation,in order to learn more things and accumulate more working experiences.Due to the economical crisis,lots of company do not want people who are just graduated from university and have no experiences.Some one even don't get a job till now,at this point,i'm lucky.Recently i plan to change a job to learn more other things.
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@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
24 Mar 09
Hi Nancy - I really hated that when I was first looking for a job... So many people want experienced employees but no one is willing to take someone and train them so they can have experience! Good luck with your job hunt! Thanks for the response.
@my1341 (456)
• China
24 Mar 09
I was assigned a teaching job several years and I have been working at my current job for about 8 years. I don't plan to make radical career changes because I love my current job very much. I enjoy having a life with children. They are lovely and energetic. I am not good at socializing with others. So the teaching job is really suitable for me. It also provides me stable salary income to help with my family expenses. Very nice. Have a nice day!
@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
29 Apr 09
Hi my1341 - It's so nice to find someone who is happy with their work choice! That's wonderful that you are doing what you love - I think that so many of us are just doing to do - not doing what we love. Good for you and thanks for your response!
@rakesh284 (1472)
• India
24 Mar 09
I am pretty new in working field. Last year I completed my graduation and then after few months I joined my last employers. I worked over there for 5 months and due to one unacceptable condition I have to leave my job.
@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
29 Apr 09
Hi rakesh...I'm sorry you had to leave your job so soon but I hope you have a better one in your future! Good luck to you and thanks for your response.
• United States
24 Mar 09
I am 27 and I have had 2 jobs. My first one was at a movie theater I worked there for a year and a half, most of which was while I was in high school. My current job, at a rent-a-car company, I have been with just over 9 yrs. I used to love it and now I just do my job, collect my check, and hope that it all gets better. The economy has had such an impact on my industry and now I am just greatful to still have my job. So I will continue you do my job and collect my checks for as long as the company can allow for me too.
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@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
29 Apr 09
Hi Berry and welcome to mylot! I had a job at a movie theater when I was in high school! That's great! It was nice because we got to see all the movies for free. I understand that the current crisis has made it difficult for all of us and I know many people who are just happy to be collecting a paycheck week after week. Good luck to you and thanks for your response.
@gxyywhyzy (450)
• China
24 Mar 09
I have neen working for two years and employed the same company with a little salary,just i think.sometimes i hated doing the same job and i wanted to change my life for a better life,while saving much money.
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@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
29 Apr 09
Hi gxyy...I understand what you mean. Sometimes it's worth it to save at your present job so you can find something else. Good luck to you and thanks for the response.
• China
24 Mar 09
Current job??1 month.last year i change 3jobs, hehe sorry..friest my boss too bad,no vacation low salary...second.the factory located in countrey...hate.rhird,working in honhkong i missing my famlily..hehe
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@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
29 Apr 09
Hi rosa and welcome to mylot! Sometimes it takes many jobs to find somewhere you like working and will be the best place for you. I hope this one works out for you. Thanks for your response.
• India
24 Mar 09
I have been working in current company from past 5 yrs. I am happy with the current work which i am doing.
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@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
24 Mar 09
Hi interstate...It's wonderful to hear that someone is happy with their position! Thanks for the response.
• Philippines
24 Mar 09
I envy you, I really envy you. You've found a career. Also, it means you're happy with what you are doing since you've been counting years in that job. I am turning one year in my present job this June. It is actually my 6th (or was it 7th?) job (and industry) to date. Yes, it comes as a shock especially to my friends and college classmates but it's true. I've been a College Instructor before (in two different colleges), I used to be Human Resource Personnel as well, then a Technical Trainer, a Software Engineer, a Systems Analyst and now a Social Media Specialist. Yep, this is actually my 7th company and I've been working since I was 21, that's barely 6 years ago huh! All my resignations though are due to personal and family issues. I don't remember resigning due to some company problems... sigh, it's a long story. But I am really hoping I'll find a career soon!
@kissie34 (2294)
• Philippines
24 Mar 09
I've been working at my current job for almost 10 months now.. I'm planning to find another job because I'm not happy with my job, the company and most of all with my salary.. My job is very boring and it makes me feel lazy all the time because most of the time I'm just sitting and surfing in the net.. I just graduated my bachelor degree last year and after graduation, I was hired already so I really didn't enjoy my life after graduation because my sister wants me to have a job right away... When I was in college, I'm so active in school activities.. I engaged my self to many activities for 4 years.. So, now that I'm working I'm expecting more challenge in my life but with my job all of the challenges that I'm waiting for maybe won't come because at the first place my job isn't challenging and the more it makes me lazy and stupid.. I'm not learning anything from my job and that's what makes me hate my job..
1 person likes this
@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
30 Mar 09
Hi kissie...I'm sorry you're having such a hard time with your job. Maybe you should just put out feelers for other jobs which would be more challenging to you...Good luck in the job search and thanks for the response.
@uicbear (1900)
• United States
23 Mar 09
I have been working in the same field for the same company for almost 15 years. However, I have changed locations, or offices, 5 times in those years, 3 times because I had to, and twice by choice. I do like my job most of the time, but we all have those days where you wonder if this is really worth it, or if there's something better out there. I think I did all my job changing when I was younger. Of course, I never considered those anything more than a job to get by on, or work for the summer between school terms. Now, I make a good salary and I'm pretty secure that my job will not be getting cut back as our field is expanding.
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@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
23 Mar 09
Hi bear...It's nice to hear from someone who has been working for the same company for so long. Yes we do all have those days when we wonder if this is worth it and if there is something else out there I can do... today is my day. Thanks for your response and good luck to you.
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
23 Mar 09
I've been at my current job 7 1/2 years. Before I had this job I was unemployed 5 months! At my last job I up and quit before I had another job! I don't recomend that! Five months later I found the job I'm currently ant and I'm not palnning to go anywhere soon!
@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
23 Mar 09
Hello blue! I think it takes courage to quit before you have another job. So many of us have those jobs where we really have come to the end but don't have anything else. I understand you not recommending that same change to anyone else but I would hope you're in a better position now! Thanks for your response.
@SmilyQin (179)
• China
24 Mar 09
I have been in this job for 1 year already. Strictly speaking,it's my first job.I just graduated from my school. Actually I had a lot of part time job before,and they were not good for me,but i did learn a lot from it.And just when i was in one of my part time job,I met my manager,and she took me to my this company. Now the job is ok,the salary is ok,but i do wanna to change anther job.Because i think i wouldn't learn anyhting in this job,and i don't like it after 1 year's working.
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@luvmysons (497)
• United States
23 Mar 09
Well I am a hair stylist and have been working from home for the last 5 years. However the job before was in a salon and I worked there for 12 years. I last pretty long at jobs as long as I am comfortable in the workplace.. There is nothing like being miserable at your job
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@deejean06 (1952)
• United States
23 Mar 09
Hello luv! Ooh - I'm so jealous - I'm all thumbs when it comes to my hair. Good for you that you have something where you can work from home - I'm trying to find something I can do from home right now. Thanks for your response.