How long have you stayed at the same job?
By besweet
@besweet (9859)
Ireland
October 1, 2015 3:30pm CST
I've been in my current position for two years and I am still enjoying the day to day job. It's unpredictable and I don't have the same routine every day so it's still interesting. But I have too many responsibilities and work many hours so I come back home every day feeling exhausted. I am wondering if it's time to experience new work fields and practices.
How can some people understand when it's the right time to change job position or companies? Are there any signs?
What's your record time that you've spent at the same job?
19 people like this
27 responses
@jvincent_129 (4994)
• Philippines
2 Oct 15
These are the things that I ask myself frequently because I have some thought of resigning already. The reason is that the company has no support for us engineers. They let us handle a lot of jobs and scopes with that compensation package that is not entizing. Of course to think practically, there is a better opportunity always out there. So help me God, give me a sign to when is the right time to move on to another job. 
3 people like this
@besweet (9859)
• Ireland
8 Oct 15
@jvincent_129 I think it's good evaluation of the offer and gut feel. Every choice has the good parts and the disadvantages. I've seen people miss opportunities because they are afraid of making a bad choice.
1 person likes this
@jvincent_129 (4994)
• Philippines
5 Oct 15
@besweet Right timing is important. But how will you know? Gut feel? How do you decide? Maybe there is a sign we can based on.
1 person likes this
@besweet (9859)
• Ireland
1 Oct 15
Spending so many years in a company makes it harder to leave, I am guessing that you were also very close with co-workers.
For me 2 years is a personal record, but it's only my second job. I hope I can reach your record in a company that suits me.
1 person likes this
@besweet (9859)
• Ireland
2 Oct 15
@Asylum It's easy to develop personal relationships and friendships with co-workers when you spend most of the day with them for years. And it's great that you are doing the effort to keep in touch with your ex-colleagues. I started my current relatioship in the workplace.
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
1 Oct 15
owning my business for 23 years till 2 years ago when i retired
2 people like this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
2 Oct 15
@besweet I enjoyed it cause it did give me freedom till the building was sold and new owner kicked me out so he could put in a bar
1 person likes this
@besweet (9859)
• Ireland
3 Oct 15
@Rosekitty I have a similar story, my aunt had a shoe store and had to move out of the building because the owner wanted to sell. She went to a new location but unfortunately many faithfull clients didn't like the change and she had to close the store and retire eventually.
1 person likes this
@besweet (9859)
• Ireland
8 Oct 15
@simone10 It's very important to match with co-workers. There was another woman at work who became my best friend but then she resigned and decided to advance her studies and go for a masters degree. I haven't found someone else I can communicate with in that level since she left, it was a pleasure working with her.
1 person likes this
@besweet (9859)
• Ireland
2 Oct 15
It's important to wake up every day and feel happy to go to work. When this feeling is gone, it becomes an upleasant routine.
One of my professors in university told me to choose carefully my first job and do something that won't make me being bored. An interesting job can make us better professionals.
1 person likes this
@PinkChaimpagne (40)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
1 Oct 15
The longest I stayed in a company is 1 year and 5 months. I've been in the customer service industry for 2 years now. I'm just moving to different companies. I'm planning to work in the aviation industry maybe next year. I'm just saving for it for now because I'm going to need money for experience. I don't want to stay in my current industry because everyday is a routine. I get to experience dealing with different people with the same issues.
2 people like this
@besweet (9859)
• Ireland
1 Oct 15
I've worked in customer service when I was younger. It was only for extra money so I didn't care to stay but the job was really hard. You have to deal with people complaining all day, it needs a lot of strength to keep this stress and negativity away from your personal life.
@Ragnarok8 (196)
• Davao, Philippines
2 Oct 15
@besweet so true. Facing people's problem all day is crazy.
1 person likes this
@besweet (9859)
• Ireland
2 Oct 15
@Ragnarok8 It can also make you crazy. I adrmire people in customer service for their patience.
@owstalaga (4707)
• Philippines
4 Oct 15
The longest I spent on a job was 2 years and some months. And I consider those years to be a waste but then again I needed the break so I think it's fine I stayed that long in that company.
When you feel like you're not getting anywhere in your current job, you either should get a promotion or find another job for the so-called greener pastures.
1 person likes this
@owstalaga (4707)
• Philippines
10 Oct 15
@besweet True, I felt the same with one or two of my previous jobs where I was away for a few days and when I came back I felt no motivation to continue at all.
If there's no chance of promotion there then I guess you should indeed give it a few more months, otherwise maybe it's time for greener pastures. 
1 person likes this
@besweet (9859)
• Ireland
9 Oct 15
I am a little over two years, almost the same as you.
I like working for this company and I can communicate well with my boss in general. But there is no option for promotion and I work more than 8hrs without getting the overtime payment. I will give it a few more months to see how it goes. I think that in most jobs there is a time when we feel tired , I thought I would come back refreshed from my summer vacations but I didn't.
1 person likes this
@besweet (9859)
• Ireland
10 Oct 15
@owstalaga It's the first time I feel so much pressure in this job, it used to be very exciting for me. I think it was to do with some changes at the workplace that we went through lately.
How long did you stay at the jobs after you started feeling no motivation?
@suziecat7 (3350)
• Asheville, North Carolina
2 Oct 15
I've been with the same company for eight years. I'm only part time now but sometimes I think I need a change. I think you know when you begin to dread the work day.
2 people like this
@besweet (9859)
• Ireland
4 Oct 15
There are two things that I can't manage at work, the first one is boredom. When the job becomes a routine and doesn't motivate me any more, I find it hard to go through the day. I also have an issue with working alone. I prefer being in a team or having colleagues near my office. Sometimes I am alone in the whole office and I feel depressed that I am working alone.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
2 Oct 15
I've only been at my job since April. I'm not planning on going anywhere anytime soon. I left a job similar to this one before because I couldn't handle the stress, but I didn't look for another job first, I just left, and I've regretted it ever since, until I found this job.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (166976)
• Boise, Idaho
1 Oct 15
I have worked at customer service for about thirty years but at several different companies including AT&T, Sears, EDS,HP,etc. I have been at jobs for about ten years on the average. Something always happened that gave me reason to go to another job. My last job was for five years. I earned a pensions from it. Took an early retirement.
2 people like this
@swissheart (6482)
• Romania
5 Oct 15
I've stayed for almost two years. It's not something that I like but I don't have any better option
1 person likes this
@swissheart (6482)
• Romania
9 Oct 15
@besweet I wouldn't want to give up my job either as long as I don't have any other option. I know how hard it is to find a job these days
1 person likes this
@besweet (9859)
• Ireland
9 Oct 15
@swissheart If someone has stability at work for a long time, they can't evaluate the job market with realism and I've heard people who quit their jobs to find something better, without being prepared. Times have changed and it's definitely harder to find a job.
@besweet (9859)
• Ireland
9 Oct 15
The available options are usually the most important part of our decisions. I don't have any opportunities at the moment either and I am focusing on expanding my connections and maybe have another offer. It is best to have a plan B before quitting any job. I couldn't afford to stay unemployed for more than a couple of weeks.
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
3 Oct 15
The longest I kept a job was 11 and a half years though in the end it was becoming intolerable and I quit but struggled to find long lasting work since
1 person likes this
@besweet (9859)
• Ireland
3 Oct 15
I think it's harder to change the way you work if you are at the same company for a long time. Most companies want their employers to work in a specific way and once we learn a way, it's difficult to start a new job with different priorities for example. I want to stay flexible but not change jobs too often. I don't know how to find that balance yet.
1 person likes this
@besweet (9859)
• Ireland
4 Oct 15
@arthurchappell I agree, and people tend to change jobs very often in order to move to better position, earn more money of go to a different city.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
3 Oct 15
@besweet job security is hard to come by nowadays - too many jobs have a fluid disposable work force
1 person likes this
@besweet (9859)
• Ireland
4 Oct 15
@valmnz Teaching is a little different, I find it more interesting. You have a new class every year and you can improve your skills constantly in order to find the best way to teach according to the children. It's one of the jobs that would never make me feel bored.
1 person likes this
@rachelyoung13 (64)
• United Kingdom
1 Oct 15
If you're too tired to do anything when you're not at work I'd definitely consider moving somewhere else, although if you do you may not enjoy the day to day routine as much at a different place
2 people like this
@allknowing (136444)
• India
10 Oct 15
I stayed at a job for 22 years. I gave it up and started my own landscaped garden designing business for a few years before settling down as a lady of leisure.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136444)
• India
12 Oct 15
@besweet But it was hard work and yes it was satisfying to see the results of my efforts.
1 person likes this
@kevin1877uk (36988)
•
6 Oct 15
The longest job I've had is 27 years and a few months, had an accident within work and then left. I bet you don't get many people working that long in one job.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
2 Oct 15
I've been in the freelance industry for over 5 years. Previously the longest I stayed at one job was 2 years, because I found better opportunities in terms of career development. I quit my last job because of the stress and work hours - I'd say those were the signs, for me.
1 person likes this
@besweet (9859)
• Ireland
2 Oct 15
Working hours are exhausting, but it's the same everywhere. Freelancing is an option and I am thinking about it after gaining some more experience. You also need good social skills to do the freelancing and it's a great skill to have for the job.
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11116)
• Malaysia
3 Oct 15
@besweet Yeah it can be tough in the first year or so, but if you're hardworking and good at making connections you'll get there. Also, I find that participating in forums and social media groups help a lot.
Also, I find that participating in forums and social media groups help a lot.1 person likes this
@besweet (9859)
• Ireland
3 Oct 15
@cahaya1983 I would say the same with activities and professional societies. You can meet many people by attending perofessional events or joining activity clubs. I have found it very helpful and I am building my network gradually. Freelancers must be fully commited and sometimes sacrifice parts of their personal life to be successful.
1 person likes this
@Ceerios (4698)
• Goodfellow, Texas
11 Oct 15
@besweet - Spent 14 years in the military. I guess that was one of the longies. Last job I had I quit when I got to 76 years of age after 6 years there. The really longest job I've managed to hold was 62.75 years - my bride is the boss of that one. 
1 person likes this
@sherryeb (580)
• Duncan, Arizona
2 Oct 15
I was a school bus driver for 8 years, that was the longest, I ever stayed with a job. Been doing work as an artist, crafter for many years though for pocket change.3 years was about my limit at jobs before that. Usually I would get too stressed out and leave, but all of the careers I tried were stressful...go figure.
@besweet (9859)
• Ireland
2 Oct 15
I consider people who can do many jobs successfuly very talented. Eight years is a long time and it's a great responsibility to drive a bus full of children.
I got stressed at work the first few months, then I became confident about my skills and I am trying to improve myself since then.
1 person likes this
@besweet (9859)
• Ireland
25 Mar 16
Twelve years is a long time! The fun part of working outside is that I get to meet new people every day, fortunately I am meeting with clients and interact with others all day. Online work is great because you can do it from the comfort of your home though, I would definitely try it if I could make a living from the earnings.
