The truth about how long you can realistically expect to stay in one job.
According to recent research conducted by the job search website SEEK, three out of four Australians are either actively looking for work or are monitoring the job market.
The changing world of work means expectations are also changing about how long you should stay in a job. For example, it’s no longer a realistic career expectation that you’ll ‘climb the corporate ladder’ via a series of promotions while working in the same organisation. Career trajectories are now more likely to be interspersed with new ways of working, which include gig, project, portfolio, and freelance work, and employees are increasingly hired for casual and fixed-term contract positions. 
What this means is that it’s becoming the new norm to have multiple jobs across your professional career, which obviously influences how long you can expect to stay in one job.
To help you decide how long you should stay in your current job and when it might be time to move on, consider these four things:
- Why do you want to change jobs?
There are many reasons why people decide they want to change jobs, from lack of available progression opportunities to relocation or changing career paths. Whatever the reason, it’s always best to try and address your concerns with your employer before jumping ship. You may find that they are willing to making some changes in order to keep you on, or they may know of another opportunity within the same company and be willing to provide you with a recommendation.
- Have you given your new job a real chance?
If you’ve just started a new job and are already thinking about quitting, let’s take a minute to really think about this. Finding your feet after starting a new job can take some time, so it’s important you give yourself the opportunity to settle in before you call it quits.
- Are your expectations realistic?
There will be aspects of any job that you might not be 100% happy about, and this is particularly true of entry-level jobs. The grass isn’t necessarily always greener on the other side and you don’t want to spend your entire career chasing a job that doesn’t exist.
- How will my career story look to prospective employers?
There’s no one rule that specifies the exact fixed time you should stay in a job. Recruiters often look beyond the timeframes on a résumé to the story, so you need to consider what your career journey says to prospective employers.
Read the full article here.