We often hear that the fastest way to progress in your career is to switch jobs. Changing companies can lead to exciting new opportunities and step increases in both responsibility and salary. It’s not discussed as often but there can big benefits from staying with a company for longer periods of time. I’m so excited to have my friend Fran share her story on the benefits of switching jobs but staying with the same employer.
If you’re wondering ‘should I switch jobs?’ or ‘how long should I stay with my company?’ this article is for you!
Fran is a successful Project Manager and writer at The Thrifty Freckles. Fran writes about thrifty lifestyle hacks and how to simplify your life. Welcome Fran!
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Why staying with the same employer was the best decision for my career
Millennials are known for being obsessed with technology, avocado toast, flat whites and constant job switching. If you ask a millennial, ‘should I switch jobs?’ or ‘should I move companies?’ you’ll likely be met with a resounding yes.
A survey from 2019 completed by Deloitte highlighted that nearly half of Millennials and Gen Z would consider changing jobs in the next couple of years and a quarter of them already had. One of their main reasons being the lack of opportunities within the company.
I am a typical Millennial and love my avocado on toast for brunch, although I don’t job hop. In fact, I’ve been with the same company for over 6 years now, and have no intention of leaving.
In all honesty, staying with the same employer has been the best decision for my career so far.
My background
I grew up in sunny Italy and graduated in foreign languages, with a master in linguistic bias in dictionaries. Not the best foundation for a successful professional career!
I wanted to be a professor and teach English at school. This is an extremely competitive career in Italy with very limited chances to get a permanent contract. So, I kept my options open.
During a summer job at university, I came across the world of recruitment and thought why not? After all, helping people find their dream job sounded fun. So, like most careers in recruitment, mine started by chance.
After a couple of dead-end internships as a Junior Recruiter, I decided to leave Italy and its recession to find a career elsewhere. But where?
My love for the Spice Girls and anything Union Jack styled made London a simple choice.
Job Switch #1: Moving From Italy to the UK
I moved to the United Kingdom in Mid-January. This was possibly the worst time! The weather was grey and miserable, the Christmas cheer was long gone and everybody was locked at home. Not that I knew anyone, but I digress!
After a couple of weeks sorting out a bank account and all the paperwork required to work in the UK, I was ready to apply for jobs.
Applying For Jobs in a New Country: Be Brave!
I was conscious that, with no experience in the UK, I might have to settle for temporary jobs. High on the adrenaline of all the new experiences so far, I decided to be brave! I applied for jobs as a Recruiter. After all, I’ve always been quite good with money (you can read my story here). I had enough savings to keep me going for a few months. So, there was plenty of time to review my strategy and find other jobs.
On my first evening, in the bedroom I was renting from an old English lady, I sent out 5 CVs. By the end of the week I had two interviews booked in. After the first interview I was offered a job. I don’t know about the American Dream, but this British dream seemed quite good too!
Finding a Job and Leaning In
The company was looking for an Associate Recruiter fluent in Italian to work for a multinational tech client. I ticked all the boxes: Recruiter, Italian speaker and experience working with tech clients. It seemed like the perfect job for me! I was lucky enough to meet a manager willing to give someone with no in-country experience a chance. I was so grateful they did. As a result, I worked tirelessly to prove that they made the right decision by hiring me.
And that paid off. After 3 months of temporary contract, I got offered a permanent position with a pay rise. Since then my career skyrocketed.
Building a Reputation
Soon after I was promoted to Senior Recruiter, with more responsibilities within the team but also with the wider business. I was asked to represent my team in company wide meetings and to provide expertise during training or business development sessions.
I was the top biller in my team and was considered one of the high-achievers in the company.
Because of that, I was well respected within the business. My name was often associated with someone who is hardworking, dedicated and dependable.
That was a great help when I decided to pursue a change in career.
Job Switch #2: Changing Careers With the Same Employer
After a couple of years as a Recruiter I was working towards a promotion to Team Leader. However, I soon realized that a vertical progression in a recruitment role was not for me.
I enjoyed helping people find jobs, but there is an element of sales in recruitment that never really appealed to me. Despite being good at the job, it just wasn’t the job for me.
I wanted a new challenge and to leave recruitment.
Should I Switch Jobs? My decision to change
What I really loved was managing processes, and organizing stuff. I always liked to see the bigger picture and how all elements fit together. As soon as I realized that, I knew that a career in project management was right for me. The only problem was that I knew nothing about it!
That’s when all the connections I had made and the respectability I had built came in handy. My company believed in me and offered me a role as Project Analyst.
All the hard work of the previous years really paid off. I was finally doing a job I was passionate about.
Proving Yourself In a New Career
My new team knew I was a good recruiter. Now, I had to prove to them I could be just as good in this new role as a project manager.
I started learning the ins and outs of project management, I went on courses and learned from my colleagues. I took on more projects than I could handle and I completed them all. Yes, it sometimes required working extra hours or taking shorter lunch breaks but it was worth it, because I was building my knowledge and becoming indispensable within the team and the company.
when You’ve Found The Right Career
I knew this was the right path for me because all the skills I learned complemented my personality so much I started applying them to my personal life. Now I have multiple projects going on in my life (gardening, house furnishing, and holiday planning, just to name a few) and I manage them all using project management methodologies. It might sound crazy but this helps me keep track of all the things I need to do and actually do them.
After a year, I got promoted to Senior Analyst and to Project Manager soon after that.
Five years and four promotions after that first temporary job as an Associate Recruiter, I achieved my goal of becoming a Project Manager without ever leaving the company.
The benefits of staying with the same employer
By now you might have guessed I am an advocate of staying and growing with the same company, if possible. If you’re asking yourself ‘should I switch jobs’ the option for career moves staying with the same employer is something you should consider. I find there are so many benefits, here are some:
You will show dependability and resilience
Staying with the same employer for a few years will show you are a dependable person, and a future employer will value your loyalty and will see you as worthy of investment, should you ever decide to change company in the future.
Furthermore, dealing with the challenges of a role and a company instead of jumping ship, will show resilience and teach you how to self-improve during difficult situations. It will demonstrate you have a stronger character and are willing to find solutions to problems and issues (However, if you find yourself working in a toxic environment, it’s best just to leave as soon as possible).
You will build stronger work relationships
If you switch jobs often, it will be difficult to build meaningful relationships with your colleagues that will continue after you leave. Staying with the same employer will allow for the creation of stronger relationships that will be beneficial for your personal and professional life.
These connections will be extremely useful if you want to move to another department or change role like I’ve done, or if you need a reference for something.
You will get better benefits and increased flexibility
Most companies increase their benefits package after a certain tenure. For example, some companies might increase their pension contribution or allow access to enhanced maternity or paternity leave if you’ve been with them for longer. Some even offer a paid holiday once you reach certain milestones with the business!
Some benefits might be informal, like increased work flexibility such as leaving early to pick up your kid or working from home more often.
easier work life
You will know all the processes, systems and ways of working and everyone knows they can count on you as an expert.
When you’re familiar with your companies internal processes, you will often remember why a certain system was implemented a certain way.
You will also know who to approach for any issues or questions, or you will be the one who gets asked all the questions, making you an amazing point of contact for all new hires in the business.
time for yourself
When you’ve been long enough with a company and you’ll be comfortable with your work and workload, you will start enjoying a routine and will be less stressed. You will leave the office on time (the ultimate dream) and have time for yourself outside work.
The stability of staying with the same employer will give you the comfort to tackle some projects in your personal life, for example getting married, starting a side hustle or buying a house.
Lenders will be more likely to offer a loan or mortgage if you’ve been with the same employer for a minimum of two years; it’s worth keeping that in mind if you’re planning to purchase a property.
You will rise in seniority and could become a mentor
If you stay with the same company you will have the opportunity to advance within your current team or department, or even in the wider company, like I did. You will quickly rise in seniority, rather than having to compete for a more senior role at a new company. In the end, when they want to promote a senior executive in the company, they are likely to pick someone they trust and know well, rather than a new recruit.
With seniority and expertise in the company, you could be asked to become a mentor for someone junior in your team or company.
You can develop new skills
Developing new skills is often associated with leaving an employer to join a new company, however, within the right environment it is absolutely possible to learn new skills. Or, even better, recommend new ways of working to your current company based on the skills you’d like to develop.
So, Should I Switch Jobs? Maybe, but Consider Staying With Your Current Employer!
If you’re asking yourself ‘should I switch jobs’ and looking for career progression consider the option of staying with your current employer! Before leaving, carefully consider all your options including making a career shift within your current company!
And remember this great quote from Milton Berle, ‘If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door’.
Steveark says
I’m from a different generation but I worked for one employer for over thirty years. I rose from intern to running the entire billion dollar company during my career and did far better financially than most of my coworkers who switched companies frequently. I was able to build a reputation and always get that next promotion all the way to the top. I also was able to keep my country raised wife in a rural area she preferred living in and to raise our three kids in great schools without the disruption of moving, we are actually still in our only house. I felt a part of that company since I spent so many years there and left it retiring early with very fond memories. I still consult for the company from time to time. I wouldn’t have changed a thing. Its nice seeing someone from your generation consider the benefits of staying planted in a great location versus moving around frequently. Great post!
sasha @yourfrugalfriendblog says
I have found that after my children were born, finding the right company with good work/life balance has been a struggle. It is the only reason I change employers. I can’t wait to find the perfect company for me! This gives me hope that it is out there!