Switching Jobs...

They say people will switch jobs 3-4 times in their working life.

Is it better to do this for experience, etc. or is it better to put in your time at one company??? Just curious

Re: Switching Jobs...

By jobs do you mean companies, fields, or just positions? I'm already on my 4th job since college (3 within the same organization), so if it means jobs I am surprised it isn't more!

I do think times have changed so that having the family corporation where people stay forever isn't as common as it used to be. I think it's easier to move up in many cases if you are willing to change companies or organizations. That said, I'm in a relatively narrow field, with very few options on LI, and I am at the largest organization, so I will stay at my org. and move around while we are here. My org. is more likely to hire from within, so that's a benefit.

Re: Switching Jobs...

It is becoming more common for people to move around. I think people do it for growth, compensation and sometimes just a change of scenery.
Some companies are okay with it. I guess if you develop a pattern without any significant movement in your "title" that could make people get leary of hiring you.
If you like your company and your job, then that is a reason to stay. It hard to change places, people.

Re: Switching Jobs...

i have switched jobs A LOT. what i have heard is that people will switch careers 3 -4 times in their lifetime (eg. lawyer to teacher)

Re: Switching Jobs...

Switching too often and too early (before 1 year!), could hurt you. It shows "unstability" for some employers. You may have good reasons but they would worry that will leave too soon for them in invest in you.

It is considered that it takes on average 1 year for you to learn a job and that you would encounter most situation within 1 year.

Unless you are "growing" within your company, staying longer than 5 years could also hurt you. It shows you are no longer growing, learning, etc... Most people do not care that much about loyalty. Staying too long at a company does not show your commitment that much. It actually would scare an employer than you are unflexible and too set in one way since you would not have experience different type of companies/work.

Anything 3-5 years is good.

If you stayed 10 years with a company and held 2-3 jobs either lateral or promotion. It's easier to sell than 10 years doing the same job.

Re: Switching Jobs...

These days people do switch jobs a lot. I was at my longest for 5 yrs, then left there (mistake) and had 2 jobs within 2 years that I hated. I just started another new job which I really like and everyone there has been there for YEARS - I feel like as I get older, I want to settle more and just appreciate having a good job & good benefits.